Children celebrate their completion of the 2026 Together We Learn program.
A Graduation Where Both Generations Cross the Stage
At most graduations, parents sit in the audience while children cross the stage.
In the Together We Learn program, both generations spend the year learning.
This spring, children in graduation caps and gowns celebrated alongside parents who had spent the same nine months building English language skills, confidence, and educational foundations of their own. Together, 38 children and 88 parents completed Catholic Charities Dallas’ Together We Learn program, a dual-generation education initiative designed to strengthen entire families through learning.
The annual graduation marked the culmination of months of commitment, growth, and perseverance. For many participating families, it also represented something larger: a shared investment in their future.
How Together We Learn Supports Children and Parents
Most early childhood programs focus primarily on the child.
Together We Learn is built around a different idea: that a child’s readiness for school is closely connected to the opportunities available to their family.
While children under five participate in age-appropriate early learning activities focused on literacy, language development, and kindergarten readiness, their parents attend ESL coursework provided through a partnership with Dallas College. Classes take place at the same time and in the same location, allowing both generations to learn simultaneously.
The model helps families overcome barriers that often make education difficult to access. Parents do not have to choose between supporting their child’s learning and pursuing their own educational goals. Instead, they grow together.
The program currently operates at three locations across North Texas:
- St. Pius X Parish in East Dallas
- Cardinal Farrell Community Center in West Dallas
- Schimelpfenig Library in Plano
Together, these locations serve families from more than 50 ZIP codes, with 72 percent of participants living in areas identified by United Way as among the region’s most vulnerable communities.
2026 Graduation by the Numbers…
Children Graduated
Thirty-eight amazing children successfully completed the program, fully prepared for their next educational milestone.
Parents Empowered
Eighty-eight parents completed dedicated ESL instruction, strengthening communication both at home and in the community.
Program Locations
Operated across three strategic locations to bring high-quality early childhood resources directly to North Texas families.
ZIP Codes Represented
Families joined our classrooms from over 50 different ZIP codes, showcasing a widespread demand for collaborative learning.
Learning Completed
Nine full months of academic, social, and emotional growth achieved by parents and children learning alongside one another.
What Nine Months of Learning Can Accomplish
The Together We Learn model is intentionally designed around consistency and long-term engagement.
The question, of course, is whether that investment translates into measurable outcomes.
For participating children, the answer is yes.
Among children who complete the program, 82 percent finish at or above their developmental age in both cognitive and language skills. These gains help strengthen kindergarten readiness and create a stronger foundation for future academic success.
Parents also see meaningful progress. Eighty-four percent graduate with an English proficiency level of second grade or higher, helping expand access to employment opportunities, healthcare navigation, and everyday communication.
The impact often extends beyond the classroom. Ninety-four percent of participating parents increase how frequently they read with their children each week, reinforcing learning at home and strengthening family literacy habits.
These outcomes reflect what can happen when families are provided with consistent support, trusted educators, and an environment designed around long-term growth.
Developmental Readiness
Achieved by children completing the program at or above their developmental age in critical milestones.
Language Proficiency
Demonstrated by graduating parents, breaking down critical barriers to community connection.
Family Literacy
Strengthened by parents increasing their reading frequency and building long-term learning habits.
A Partnership That Expands Opportunity
Together We Learn operates through a partnership between Catholic Charities Dallas and Dallas College.
Dallas College provides accredited ESL instruction, curriculum, and educational expertise. Catholic Charities Dallas provides community-based programming, trusted neighborhood relationships, and family support services that help participants remain engaged throughout the program.
Together, the partnership allows families to access both early childhood education and adult learning opportunities in one coordinated environment.
For many participants, the program serves as a first sustained connection to formal education in the United States. For children, it provides preparation for kindergarten. For parents, it offers language skills and confidence that support long-term success.
Why Programs Like Together We Learn Matter
The graduation of 126 participants this year is significant.
It also highlights a need that extends far beyond a single classroom.
Across North Texas, many families continue to face barriers related to educational access, language acquisition, and kindergarten readiness. Approximately 20 percent of Dallas adults are estimated to have limited English literacy, while many children enter school without the foundational skills needed for long-term academic success.
Programs like Together We Learn address these challenges by supporting the entire family rather than focusing on a single individual.
By investing in both generations at the same time, the program creates opportunities that can continue long after the school year ends.
Building Foundations That Last
The children who crossed the stage this spring will enter kindergarten with stronger literacy and developmental skills.
Their parents will move forward with increased confidence, stronger English proficiency, and new tools to support their families.
For both generations, graduation represents more than the completion of a program.
It marks the beginning of a new chapter built on education, opportunity, and a foundation for future success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the Together We Learn dual-generation education program and how it supports families across the Dallas community.
Help Two Generations Learn Together
Together We Learn depends on the support of donors, volunteers, educators, and community partners who believe that family success begins with educational opportunity.
Whether through a financial contribution, community partnership, or program referral, your support helps create opportunities for children and parents to learn, grow, and succeed together.
