Pharr resident Maria “Mily” Moreno found herself at a crossroads in life. Divorced and the mother of two sons — ages 25 and 15 — she knew she needed to find a new path. Moreno resigned from her dead-end job and accepted a position as a part-time contract employee for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. This move cut her income by $20,000 a year. 

One day, Moreno encountered a South Texas College police officer. The officer mentioned VIDA, a program designed to support students in their educational pursuits. 

Thirty years ago, Valley Interfaith and business leaders from across the Rio Grande Valley came together to establish the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement. VIDA has remained true to its original mission, guiding Valley residents out of poverty and into high-demand, high-paying jobs through education.

The VIDA team and its board look at today’s workforce demands while projecting future needs. VIDA’s reach stretches far beyond financial support, offering individual and group counseling designed to guide students so they will be well-prepared for any adversity that comes their way.

VIDA participants thank the communities that so generously support them by performing community service. This comprehensive approach translates into a college persistence rate of 91 percent, significantly higher than the national rate. Persistence leads to a degree or industry certification.

Moreno applied to VIDA and gained acceptance in the summer of 2023. She enrolled at South Texas College, majoring in social work. Then, at the start of her final semester, Moreno’s cherished mother passed away. The loss was devastating.

Throughout her studies, VIDA provided Moreno with crucial financial assistance to help her pay her rent, keep her lights on, make car payments and buy groceries. VIDA also offered workshops and training in topics such as time management, finances and relaxation techniques (like laughter yoga). Moreno’s VIDA counselor, Claudia Martinez, showed a genuine interest in her success, and this support became a cornerstone of Moreno’s academic journey.

Moreno graduated with honors. She felt a deep sense of pride, not only for her achievements but for the example she set for her sons. Her older son, Daniel, is an EMT for Med-Care. Inspired by his mom’s return to school, he enrolled in paramedic school and will graduate in August. Her younger son, Diego, is a student in Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD taking dual-enrollment courses at STC.  He is on track to graduate from high school with an associate degree and will pursue a career in engineering.

After graduating from STC, Moreno secured a permanent, full-time position with the TJJD, now serving as an administrative clerk to the manager of operations. She assists with five departments, and with a recent salary adjustment of $6,800, she now earns more than she did at the job she left. Moreno also has excellent benefits and endless career opportunities.

She credits her “ama,” knowing her beloved mother’s faith empowered her to persist, despite her pain.

This summer, Moreno will continue her social work journey at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, minoring in psychology. Her goal is to work as a juvenile probation officer or case manager.

Moreno feels a profound sense of gratitude. 

“It is an honor to be a testimony of VIDA’s program success,” Moreno said. “Additionally, I would like to thank VIDA for introducing me to the rewarding act of volunteering and giving back to our communities. I am currently a Certified Youth Mentor, sworn in by Judge Mario Ramirez for the Hidalgo County Juvenile Detention Center. I volunteer in the First Offender Program and for the Juvenile Justice Conference Committee. Thank you, VIDA, for your support and guidance. Thank you for helping me be a role model, inspiring my sons during my journey.”

To learn more about VIDA, visit vidacareers.org.

Members of the VIDA team contributed to this article.