These videos originally appeared on Media Mobilizing Project here and here. 

Media Mobilizing Project reached out to parents across Philadelphia in the summer of 2014 in search of powerful untold stories. The goal of the series was to get a sense of how families have been affected by the education budget cuts in recent years as well as why so many people continue to support our public neighborhood schools that are so often negatively portrayed.

MMP said on its website, “We have been inspired by the enthusiasm of these passionate parents as they share their concerns, praises, and dreams for our city’s schools and our young people.”

Here’s some videos of the parents Media Mobilizing Project spoke to:

Tonayia Coffer | Fox Chase

Camille Barnes | Henry Elementary School

Erica Pizarro | Feltonville

Jaqueline Adams | Lingelbach Elementary School

Tristan Ferguson | Steel School

Don Sample | West Philadelphia

Denean Corry | Steel School

Jennifer Vargas | Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences

Cheryl Buckley | Vice President of the School Advisory Council, Hon. Luis Muñoz Marín School

Luisa Baerga | Ambassador of the School Advisory Council, Hon. Luis Muñoz Marín School

Margarita Davila | Hon. Luis Muñoz Marín School

Latoiya Alvin | Edward T. Steel School

Rob Tevis | Fox Chase Home and School Association Meeting

Chantal David | Cedar Park, West Philadelphia

Image via Media Mobilizing Project