Francisco Lopez came to the U.S. from Mexico City at age 14. He graduated from high school, but because he felt his English skills weren’t strong enough, he didn’t continue his education. Now that his son, Daniel, attends Jehue Middle School in Colton, he said: “It’s very important for our children to go to school and achieve their goals. Our children shouldn’t fall into that zone like I did. With our help, they can be prepared for the future with the right education.”

Lopez shared his thoughts with other parents via Zoom as part of a recent graduation ceremony held by the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE). At this graduation, parents are the graduates, having finished coursework that gives them the tools to create what PIQE calls a “college-going culture” for their children.

It is moments like this that show education has the power to change lives, reinforcing Edison International’s support of nonprofits like PIQE. One of the more than 700 grant recipients and among the shareholder-funded $22 million that Edison International invested last year, PIQE is featured in Edison International’s 2020 Community Impact Report .

“PIQE is an organization that can transform lives and families,” said Edison International President and CEO Pedro J. Pizarro. “Its programs and focus on STEM help students who will bring the talent and diversity we need to move our industry and state toward a clean energy future.”

He noted that last year, 18 of the 30 high school students awarded scholarships through the Edison Scholars Program were the first in their families to attend college.

“As someone who went to college on a scholarship to study STEM, I know firsthand just how transformative that type of support can be,” said Pizarro. “We are proud to contribute to PIQE and their mission to enable people from all backgrounds to thrive.”

In addition to increasing diversity in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) education, Edison International’s investments last year focused on initiatives devoted to reducing systemic racism, advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, strengthening wildfire mitigation and making clean energy more accessible for everyone.

Many of PIQE’s parent-graduates are first-generation Americans who did not attend college or come from families where college was considered out of reach. Like Adriana Rodriguez and her husband, who took PIQE classes through Anacapa Middle and High School in Ventura. They want their two daughters to have “more opportunities that we didn’t have. We want them to have a better future,” said Rodriguez.

“We are super excited to share all the resources and knowledge we’ve gained to help (our daughters) live a better life,” she added. “We want them to help their community because that’s what it’s all about.”

During the eight- to 12-week PIQE courses, parents study such topics as creating a home environment conducive to learning; improving academic performance; students’ social-emotional development; and preparing students for college, among many others.

“Since our inception, PIQE has been at the forefront of a family empowerment movement helping parents become agents of change on issues related to educational equity,” said PIQE President and CEO Gloria Corral. “Through our evidence-based model, families find their voice and learn they are not alone in their journey to improve their children’s education. We are thrilled to partner with Edison International to continue helping families achieve what they want for themselves and their children.”

Founded in 1987, California-based PIQE partners with 128 school districts statewide and with school leaders in 13 states as well as in Mexico City. More than 720,000 parents have graduated from PIQE courses.

Last year, Edison International, parent company of Southern California Edison, awarded a $150,000 grant to PIQE, funded by shareholders, supporting workshops that explore STEM careers and giving parents tools to cultivate their students’ interests in science and math.

For more information: edison.com/communityimpactreport.