Breaking Barriers: A Story of Parental Involvement in Underserved Communities

How the "I LIKE ME" Program Can Help

It was the start of a new school year, and Mrs. Thompson, a middle school teacher in an underserved community, was preparing for her annual "Meet the Parents" night. Every year, the turnout was disappointing. Parents were often too overwhelmed by work or life’s challenges to attend, leaving Mrs. Thompson feeling like she was navigating uncharted waters alone. But this year, she was determined to change that. She wanted to engage the parents of her students, not just to discuss grades, but to build a sense of community. Little did she know it would take more than a simple flyer to break down the barriers that stood between her and these families.

The Disconnect

As the weeks went by, Mrs. Thompson noticed that some students were struggling more than others. It wasn’t just academic performance; many had behavioral issues, low self-esteem, and no clear support system at home. Despite her best efforts—emails, phone calls, even rewards—she rarely got responses from parents.

It wasn’t that these parents didn’t care. Far from it. They were juggling demanding jobs, language barriers, and, in many cases, a deep mistrust of the school system. Mrs. Thompson realized that if she wanted to connect with these families, she had to understand the challenges they were facing. And this is where the I LIKE ME program could have made all the difference.

Meeting Parents Where They Are

Determined to break through, Mrs. Thompson decided to hold her parent-teacher conferences differently. Rather than expecting parents to come to the school, she went to them. Along with a few colleagues, Mrs. Thompson set up a “mobile conference” station at a local laundromat. She knew that many parents spent hours there while waiting for their laundry, and she hoped this relaxed environment would make it easier for them to engage.

To her surprise, parents trickled in. They asked questions about their children’s progress, and for the first time, Mrs. Thompson saw that these parents weren’t disinterested—they were simply overwhelmed by the demands of life. Meeting them on their terms made all the difference.

That’s when she thought about how a program like I LIKE ME could help bridge this gap. The I LIKE ME program is designed to support youth and families in underserved communities by fostering emotional resilience, self-esteem, and a strong support network. It goes beyond the classroom, offering resources for parents to better understand their children’s needs and encouraging them to become active participants in their child’s education.

The Barriers We Don’t See

One day, while chatting with a parent named Maria at the laundromat, Mrs. Thompson learned about the deeper challenges many families were facing. Maria had three children in the school system, and worked nights as a cleaning supervisor. “I want to be more involved,” she said, “but between work and taking care of the kids, it’s hard. Sometimes I feel like the teachers don’t get what we’re going through.”

Maria’s words hit home. It wasn’t that parents didn’t care about their kids’ education—they just didn’t have the time, resources, or sometimes, the confidence to engage with the school in the way they were expected to. This is where the I LIKE ME program shines. By creating a space where parents can learn to support their children emotionally and academically, I LIKE ME helps them feel empowered, not judged.

The program could offer workshops, both online and in-person, that educate parents on how to foster resilience in their children, understand the emotional and academic needs of the youth, and work alongside schools to create a collaborative, supportive environment.

Creating Lasting Partnerships

With a fresh perspective, Mrs. Thompson and her colleagues began reimagining how to encourage parental involvement. They started offering flexible meeting times, virtual conferences, and bilingual resources to accommodate busy schedules and language barriers. Most importantly, they stopped assuming what parents needed, and started asking.

At the heart of these changes was a simple truth: Parental involvement doesn’t always fit the traditional mold. In underserved communities, the barriers are complex and multi-layered, but not insurmountable. By embracing flexibility, empathy, and creative solutions like those offered by I LIKE ME, schools can foster partnerships with parents that truly benefit the students.

Programs like I LIKE ME also provide support to parents who may feel disconnected from their child’s academic life. Through personalized support and tools, the program helps break down the stigmas and anxieties parents often face when trying to engage with the school system.

A Ripple Effect

The results were undeniable. As more parents began to engage with the school in ways that worked for them, Mrs. Thompson saw a shift in her students. Those whose parents had previously been distant started showing up for themselves more. They were eager to share their progress and felt proud that their families were finally part of their academic journey.

And that’s the magic of breaking down these barriers—it doesn’t just improve academic performance, it strengthens the entire community.

The I LIKE ME program is more than just a resource for students; it’s a bridge for parents who want to be involved but need the right kind of support. If Mrs. Thompson’s experience has taught us anything, it’s that parental involvement isn’t about showing up in a specific way—it’s about being part of the conversation, however that looks.

If you’re interested in learning more about how I LIKE ME can help your school or community foster resilience and emotional growth in underserved populations, visit us at I LIKE ME Program.

In the end, breaking these barriers isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress—one laundromat meeting, one parent conversation, and one I LIKE ME workshop at a time.