“There is a saying, something along the lines of, ‘Society grows when men plant trees whose shade they will never be able to sit under.’ Likewise, we, as a society, need to look out for one another. Only in that way will we be able to grow and progress to a stable community.” ~ Abdiel Ramirez

Back in seventh grade, Abdiel Ramirez found reading books about a variety of medical conditions fascinating, deciding then his destiny involved the healthcare field. Then, in 11th grade, he read a book about the economy and future employment. 

“I read that healthcare was 25 percent or more of the GDP.” He said this cemented his career path because he knew the field would provide him with a financially stable future.

After high school, Ramirez enrolled at Texas Southmost College in Brownsville, majoring in medical office management. At the time, he was living in Brownsville and working for $8.25 per hour. While in the TSC Admissions Office, he noticed some papers on a chair and picked them up. He read about the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement.

For nearly 30 years, VIDA has provided wraparound services to residents throughout the Rio Grande Valley so they can leave low-wage jobs and get the certificate or degree needed to obtain high-paying, high-demand jobs. In addition to financial assistance with tuition, books and tools needed in the chosen fields, VIDA also provides individual and group counseling to participants to help them overcome barriers that traditionally derail their higher-education plans.

For Ramirez, those barriers included lack of experience and the lack of a stable income to pay for college.

Ramirez applied to VIDA and gained acceptance.

“Interestingly,” Ramirez said, “it was around the time when my father lost his employment. I was able to finish my studies due to VIDA’s support.” Ramirez said the weekly mentoring sessions made a difference for him, as well.

After graduating from TSC with an associate degree, Ramirez felt driven to continue his education, enrolling in The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and declaring health information technology as his major. He has now added a bachelor’s degree to his credentials.

The first in his family to graduate from college, Ramirez works as a customer-care coordinator for Specialty Care Rx and as a contracted speaker for Novo Nordisk, a global health-care company.

“I have been able to see places all around the world that I never imagined I would be able to see,” Ramirez said. “From the jungles and beaches in Costa Rica to the North Pole off of Norway, I have been there. This allowed me to also expand my networking ability, and I’ve been able to help others who need someone who walked the path before them so they, too, can succeed.

Last year, Ramirez said, he earned just shy of six figures, a far cry from the $8.25 an hour he was earning when he found those papers on the Admissions Office chair.

“VIDA is important because it gives a fighting chance to those who might not have the advantages others had growing up, for example, reliable transportation, a loving family and stable shelter,” he said. “It allows students to have one less thing to worry about while they go about completing their education and eventually contributing back to the city that allowed them to thrive.”