Normally a 10 year old would be considered a child; however, at the age of 10, Diego Medina saw himself as a young man when his parents divorced. He began working in the fields and mowing lawns on the weekends to assist his mother with their household bills. Over the years, Medina had countless setbacks, and he found it more and more difficult to get ahead. In his early 30s,…
Every month, VBR publishes a story about a current Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement participant or one who has already earned a certificate or degree, altering the trajectory of his or her life. This month, we feature Rhonda Diaz, who will graduate from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in December with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. “Before VIDA, I was attending college part time; with VIDA’s…
Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement has received an anonymous donation of $200,000, allowing VIDA to further its impact and continue its work in enhancing career pathways for low-income students. The anonymous donor’s generosity reflects a deep commitment to making investments in today’s students. The $200,000 donation will be instrumental in supporting VIDA’s ongoing programs and initiatives. VIDA has a long history of empowering underserved residents within our region with…
For Weslaco resident Martha Zuniga, the distance to her destination holds little significance; what matters is reaching it. “The journey can be 1,000 miles away,” Zuniga said, “but you begin with one step.” Zuniga’ journey began in 2008 when she became a certified nursing assistant while in high school. After graduation, she took the next step by becoming a certified medical assistant. “My parents always said that education is the…
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…
Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is the recent recipient of a $10,000 grant from AT&T, an award reflecting AT&T’s commitment to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. This grant recognizes the importance of investing in students today – at home, in the classroom, at work – to narrow the digital divide by providing today’s learners with equitable opportunity to learn and thrive. Through this grant project, VIDA will…
Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement has received a Blue Impact grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, an award reflecting BCBSTX’s dedication to community-based organizations that prioritize the well-being of children and families. The grant recognizes the crucial role of local organizations in fostering positive change, tackling underlying factors that influence health, including socio-economic challenges, and promoting economic opportunities. Since its launch in early 2023, BCBSTX has allocated…
Brownsville resident Oscar Castillo had a job at the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport working as a cashier for the parking vendor, earning $10 an hour. He knew he needed to develop his skillset if he ever hoped to be independent and financially secure, so he enrolled in the electrical program at Texas Southmost College. At TSC, Castillo heard about Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, a nonprofit organization…
The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that it had selected 25 organizations to receive grants totaling $78 million to “develop professional pathways to nursing.” The list of recipients includes only one organization in Texas. It’s the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, which is based in Mercedes. A grant of $3 million was awarded to VIDA to help train and develop more nursing professionals in the Rio Grande Valley. …
Throughout life, we all make choices. We also face barriers on the way to goals. As Stephanie Johnson looks back on the point where she turned her life around, she sees the two intersecting. “I made choices that put barriers in my way,” said Johnson. Born in Minnesota, Johnson and her family moved around the Midwest throughout her childhood, making their way to Texas when she was 10, first to…