Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is a grant recipient of the Trellis Foundation to continue enhancing career pathways for low-income students. This general operating support for VIDA is among $2.5 million total in grants for 26 Texas community-based organizations providing direct impact services to support students in college completion.
“We are immensely grateful to the Trellis Foundation, for selecting VIDA as a recipient of this $100,000 grant,” said Felida Villarreal, VIDA’s president and CEO. “A recent report published by The Institute of College Access and Success states that less than half of first-time, full-time Pell recipients graduate within six years, and outcomes for Latinos are worse. Hence, it is our continued priority to provide customized wraparound student support services to improve educational outcomes, one VIDA at a time.”
“These grants are an acknowledgment of the innovative and essential work that community-based organizations engage in and our commitment to this important part of the postsecondary completion ecosystem,” said Trellis Foundation’s Executive Director Kristin Boyer. “We are proud to support so many organizations like VIDA, and we’re excited to learn more about their service to students in the Rio Grande Valley.”
About Trellis Foundation
Trellis Foundation advances equitable educational opportunities in Texas by supporting postsecondary programs, practices and systems that reduce disparities and lead to success for low-income students and students of color. More information is available at Trellis Foundation Announces $2.5M in Grants to Community Organizations – Trellis Foundation.
About Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement
For nearly 28 years, VIDA has helped more than 6,000 economically disadvantaged valley residents successfully complete career training programs in high demand occupations and achieve self-sufficiency. Last year, VIDA served 534 participants with an average persistence rate of 94 percent and an average annual salary upon graduation of over $48,000.