FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A new fitness program at Jackson Elementary in Fresno is doing more than just getting parents moving; it’s building community, boosting mental health, and bringing families closer to school.

The parent-fitness program is part of Fresno Unified’s growing community schools initiative, using family and community engagement to improve student success.

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 8 a.m., the cafeteria at Jackson Elementary transforms into a high-energy dance floor. Moms, led by homeschool liaison Joel Caraballo, move to the rhythms of Latin beats, as part of a free fitness class created through Fresno Unified’s Community Schools Program.

”So I’ve been coming for the past three weeks since the program started,” said Tayde Guillen. “I haven’t missed one single day. I’m extremely happy that, thanks to community schools, we’re able to have this program. Now that all the moms congregate during the fitness class, we’re just all so happy, excited to see one another and we’re just building the community.”

What started in a classroom has already grown into the cafeteria thanks to word of mouth, joyful energy, and a shared commitment to physical and mental wellness.

“We started off with like 10 moms and started gradually going up,” said Emma Chavez, the Community School Coordinator at Jackson Elementary. “So we did have to move from my classroom to the cafeteria because we just got so big. We have about 16 moms or so joining us in the morning.”

Joel isn’t just leading dance steps: with his background in psychology, he’s creating a safe space for moms to connect, reflect, and feel seen. He is leading the class with stretching and mindfulness exercises, tackling self-sabotage and reminding them they don’t have to be perfect, just present.

“We do some mental health techniques,  we talk about the importance of mental health, but also fitness, “said Joel Andres Caraballo Mejia, a Homeschool Liaison. 

“I’m from the Dominican Republic and I teach them how to dance. It refreshes our mind and our body.”

Joel brings a deep love for music straight from the Dominican Republic, bringing the heat to every workout.

“I think it’s amazing because I know a lot of people who are from the USA, and they love our music,” said Joel. “I  think dance and music show our culture, it’s like an expression of our heart for generations.”

​​It’s all part of the larger mission of Fresno Unified Community Schools to meet the needs of the whole child and their family, inside and outside the classroom.

“Community Schools are essentially a hub of resources for families in the community. ….there are 29 community schools currently within Fresno Unified,” said Chavez.  We provide resources for families, take families, you know, whether it’s clothing assistance, food distributions, just a little bit of everything so that families can really remove those barriers from what’s going on in their life and just really focus on student education and student achievement.”

For one mom, this class has brought her joy and a renewed sense of purpose.

“I’m really happy because when I’m taking the fitness class, I’m so happy in there. I forget about everything and I just focus on the class and being myself and that just brings me a lot of joy,” said Guillen.

For Joel the mission is simple: grow the class, grow the connection, and keep the door open to everyone.

“We just want to invite you to come. I know maybe the first day it’s going to be a little bit of a challenge, but we can go slow. Depending on how you feel. Don’t feel like this is only for professional people, no, this is for any person who wants to come,” said Joel.