Savanah Arellano of San Benito had a job as a mental-health technician earning $10 an hour. While Arellano knew she wanted to stay in the healthcare arena, she also knew she needed to earn a much better salary if she wanted to be self-sufficient and not struggle just to pay her bills. Because Arellano’s parents divorced and her father passed away, she had seen those struggles firsthand.
Arellano enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing program at South Texas College. She struggled tremendously during her first year and a half in the program.
“I was working almost 40 hours a week and attending classes without sleep, not having enough time to study for exams and complete assignments, and my mental health was suffering as well,” Arellano said.
Then, a few of her STC classmates told her about VIDA.
For more than 25 years, Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement has used a wraparound approach to remove the barriers that often prevent students from rising out of poverty and into prosperity.
“I needed to focus on my classes,” Arellano said. She applied for VIDA and gained acceptance. “I was able to put all of my effort into my courses without worrying too much about how I was going to pay my bills.”
Gaining Focus Through Guidance
The financial support that helped Arellano pay for tuition, books, uniforms, gas and other critical resources made a significant difference for her. But the value of the guidance and support she received from her dual-role (case manager and career counselor) VIDA employee has proven to be incalculable.
“VIDA also helped me by providing me with my counselor, Leslly Blancas, who I am grateful for because she provided me with unconditional, positive support, guidance and skills to continue with my education, no matter what barriers came my way,” Arellano said. “I also found support from my VIDA peers during our counseling sessions. I became self-aware of my strength and coping skills to manage my stress and to study for my exams.”
With VIDA’s assistance, Arellano completed her final semester and graduated in December 2021 with her ADN. She passed the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs and accepted a job with Valley Baptist Medical Center.
“I am so appreciative to have been provided aid for the Fall 2021 semester,” said Arellano. “I am now able to serve my community as a registered nurse.”