As the Executive Team of Families In Schools, we are pleased to announce the hiring of Mr. Oscar Cruz as our new Director of Community Engagement and Advocacy. The mission of Families In Schools is: “to involve parents and communities in their children’s education to achieve lifelong success.”   In his new role, Mr. Cruz will further this mission by spearheading Families Improving Education, an initiative funded by the James Irvine Foundation that is designed to meet the need for improved capacity in the nonprofit sector by supporting organizations engaging underserved families in advocacy and educational decision-making at the state and local levels.  Additionally, he will develop and direct initiatives that build community partnerships and capacity to engage others in promoting opportunities that prepare children to succeed in college, career, and life.

Mr. Cruz comes to Families In Schools with a rich background in the non-profit sector having served in various management positions including Program Director for Community Partners, where he directed projects in the areas of community technology and civic engagement,  and as Senior Program Manager at Center for Civic Education, where he managed an international network of civil society organizations, school districts, universities, and foundations working to implement civic engagement programs for students and youth in the United States and Latin America. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Latin America and served as an official international electoral observer in Mexico’s federal elections (2000 and 2006).  He holds a Masters of Arts degree in Latin America Studies from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Latin America Studies from the University of California Los Angeles, and is fluent in Spanish. 

Oscar is passionate about helping families and communities strengthen their capacity to support their children’s education so they can provide their children a pathway to the American dream.

Families In Schools is pleased to add Oscar Cruz to our staff and looks forward to his leadership and support. Please help us welcome Oscar to our wonderful network of friends, colleagues, and partners.