The team at Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement knows all too well about doors closing in keeping underemployed and unemployed people in the Rio Grande Valley from career advancement and higher pay. Janet Oliva Cortez knows about those challenges. Cortez works for the Weslaco Independent School District as a data entry clerk. It’s a good employer, secure job, and a decent salary. Cortez knew, however, that without a degree,…
One local college and four independent school districts are the recipients of $850,892 in grants from the Texas Workforce Commission. The funds are for programs that focus on supporting high-demand occupations through the Jobs and Education for Texans grant program. The award total for 27 JET grants is $5,718,073 in 27 grants. Funds go to multiple public community colleges, technical institutes, state colleges and ISDs for programs. “I congratulate these JET recipients as…
Weslaco ISD is expanding it Little Free Libraries to the business community after installing the libraries at every one of its schools. Weslaco ISD is an active participant in the Little Free Library program. The nonprofit organization inspires a love of reading while also building community and sparking creativity. Through Little Free Libraries, there is an exchange of millions of books each year. This thus increases access to books for…
Three new members are now part of the 2018-2019 Weslaco Chamber of Commerce board of directors. Joining current members are Superintendent of Weslaco ISD Priscilla Canales, Valley Trophies owner Travis McDaniel and South Texas College Mid Valley Campus Administrator Daniel Montez. Canales’s service in the interest of public schools in both large and mid-size school systems spans to 1991. Through the years, her various positions in education includes teacher, mentor, educational specialist, assistant principal and principal,…
The Weslaco Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Weslaco ISD, is seeking business applications for the 2018 nCourage Youth Program. The mentoring program takes place at participating businesses Nov. 13-14, giving high school students an opportunity to observe and interact in the daily operations of participating local businesses. The two-day program also gives students an opportunity to interact with business leaders and institutions while exploring career options and leadership. As a…
Mentors deadline Sept. 20 Businesses interested in participation in the nCourage Youth Program have until Sept. 20 to apply. The program provides Weslaco area high school students an opportunity to observe and interact in the daily operations of local businesses. The mentoring program, offered via the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce and Weslaco ISD, takes place at participating businesses on Oct. 10-11. For more information, read this VBR article published Sept.…
Weslaco program connects youth with business The Weslaco Chamber of Commerce and Weslaco ISD are seeking business applications for the 2017 nCourage Youth Program taking place Oct. 10-11. nCourage is designed to provide high school students with an opportunity to both observe and interact in the daily operations of a participating local business. The nCourage Youth Program gives students an opportunity to interact with business leaders as well as institutions…