Tag Archives: VIDA

In fourth grade, Victoria Rivera moved in with her grandparents. Despite financial struggles, they provided their granddaughter with a home, stability and love. In 2017, Rivera graduated from Brownsville Early College High School. She took advantage of the opportunity to take college courses while in high school, graduating with a high-school diploma and dual-enrollment credit from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Unlike many high-school graduates today, Rivera did…

Long, Winding Road Leads To A New VIDA

May 25, 2023

Chris Ardis

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

Sometimes a path is straight and narrow; other times it can be winding, making the journey longer but allowing us to see sites and have experiences we would otherwise have missed. Such was the path for Brownsville resident Marvelia Saldana. Being a military wife meant “bouncing around from one state to another,” according to Saldana. With four small children, she didn’t have the time — or, likely, the energy —…

Two VIDA Boosts Help Further Nurse’s Career

April 27, 2023

Chris Ardis

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Non-Profit Comments

When Donna Jo Pena applied to Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement in late 2021, it wasn’t déjà vu that came over her. Rather, she experienced actual memories from 2004-2005 when VIDA played a significant role in helping her become a licensed vocational nurse. VIDA, a nonprofit organization serving the Rio Grande Valley for over 25 years, provides financial assistance and support services, removing the barriers that often prevent Valley…

A Mother’s Leap Leads To A Better VIDA

March 16, 2023

Chris Ardis

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

Palmview single mom Esther Carreon had several goals in mind when she applied to the Valley Initiative for Development in Advancement after hearing about the nonprofit organization from a friend. Already a licensed vocational nurse and a first-generation college graduate, Carreon knew she wanted to remain in the field of nursing, but she yearned to further her education in the field. She set her sights on a Bachelor of Science…

VIDA Receives Grant To Serve 250 Latinas

March 14, 2023

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is the recent recipient of The Meadows Foundation grant to continue enhancing employment opportunities and promoting workforce development among Latinas in the RGV. This grant project provides VIDA the opportunity to lead a continuation of the successful outcomes and deliverables the program has been serving. VIDA will provide an additional 250 Latinas with student support services to pursue degrees and credentials in high demand…

San Juan Resident Designing His Dream

February 9, 2023

Chris Ardis

Community e-Brief Features News Non-Profit Comments

“I Have a Dream” is, of course, the iconic 1963 speech of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. For San Juan resident Carlos Pena, this phrase also expressed why he enrolled at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Pena, whose major is mechanical engineering, has a dream of working at Tesla as part of its design team. Tesla knows how to capture potential employees’ attention, even on its website: “Using…

VIDA Helps Spark Electrician’s Success

January 12, 2023

Chris Ardis

Community e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments

After graduating from high school, McAllen resident Cain Ballesteros took the step many young people feel is expected of them; he enrolled in college. But after a year and a half, he realized college wasn’t for him. Ballesteros tried to find his calling through a number of career paths, including certified nursing assistant, but none felt right. His dad, Arturo Ballesteros, a master electrician for over 40 years who manages…

VIDA Receives $350,000 Texas Talent Connection Grant

December 28, 2022

VBR

News Comments

Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is a Texas Talent Connection Grant recipient for a second time in a row to continue enhancing employment opportunities and promoting workforce development across the RGV. The $350,000 grant project will provide VIDA the opportunity to lead a continuation of the successful outcomes and deliverables from Texas Talent Connection Grant year one, in which 440 underserved residents were provided student support services to pursue…

VIDA Strengthens A Mother’s Resolve

December 22, 2022

Chris Ardis

Community e-Brief Features News Comments

Growing up, McAllen resident Camila Sanchez’s father always told her she could be anything she wanted to be. As her career goals developed, she realized she wanted to be a physical therapist assistant. Sanchez loves being a student because she genuinely enjoys learning and challenging herself. She enrolled in the PTA program at South Texas College in Fall 2020 but her road to what she wanted included roadblocks. In Spring…

VIDA Receives $75,000 Workforce Grant

December 3, 2022

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is one of Texas Mutual’s 48 grant recipients from across the state to promote workforce development and foster economic growth in Texas. “We are immensely thankful to Texas Mutual for selecting VIDA as one of its grant recipients for workforce development and safety training initiatives.” said VIDA President and CEO Felida Villarreal. “Equitable career training opportunities and human capital investment must be prioritized…