Life looked good for Angela Saenz of Mercedes. She had earned the title of licensed vocational nurse and had a job in the field.
“Going to college was something that was always embedded in me by my parents because they didn’t get to go to college,” Saenz said. She realized the value of having parents who instilled in her the importance of education. Saenz also understood how fortunate she was that her parents paid for most of her educational expenses. She never qualified for financial assistance because of their income.
Saenz found a job working as an LVN and a medication aid, making a decent living. She saw it as only the first step in her career in nursing. The next step involved earning an associate degree in nursing. This would qualify her to take the National Council Licensure Examination to become a registered nurse. Determined, Saenz enrolled at South Texas College.
Then everything changed. Just as her spring 2020 classes began, colleges across the country transitioned to virtual learning due to the pandemic. This created a virtual roadblock for Saenz and proved to be a major setback. Determined not to lose her spot in the program, she appealed and gained re-admittance. Just after she re-entered in summer 2020, another roadblock appeared. Saenz’ father suffered a cerebral stroke. It affected his vision and his memory while also causing other severe medical issues. Her mom, who had just gone through surgery herself, left her job to care for her husband. Whenever she needed additional help, she turned to Saenz, which meant she had to miss class. Seeing her parents suffer also took its toll on Saenz’ ability to focus on her education.
Still not ready to give up, Saenz met with a campus counselor who told her to file a second appeal, explaining what had caused her roadblock. Mercifully, a second readmittance was granted. Spring 2021 would be her final chance.
A Better Track With VIDA
Then a friend told Saenz about Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement. VIDA has provided wraparound services to adults in the Rio Grande Valley for over 26 years, allowing them to get out of poverty and into high-demand, high-paying jobs. Although Saenz never needed assistance before, she certainly needed it now, so she applied and was then accepted.
“VIDA is important because most financial-assistance programs, or scholarships, just give the student the money for the semester and expect them to do well,” Saenz said. “VIDA counselors invest time in the students to help with any struggles we may have before it’s too late in the semester to do something about it.”
Saenz’ career counselor at VIDA, Stephanie Florez, checked in on her weekly and worked with her on areas like time management, which had always been a struggle. Florez, Saenz said, provided her with resources and advice to get through the “daily struggle.”
VIDA also provides opportunities for program participants to engage in the community and to meet other students.
“Having someone check up on you and someone to lean on made a big difference for me in my success because I always felt like I was never alone,” Saenz said.
She finished the program in Fall 2021 and recently passed her board exam. She has earned the title of registered nurse.
“When I had one last chance in the nursing program,” Saenz said. “VIDA gave me the extra push and the motivation needed to overcome my academic struggles.”