El Paso, TX, December 9, 2020– Project ARRIBA, a leader in workforce and economic development in the Paso Del Norte region, is pleased to announce its 40th graduating class of El Paso Community College, University of Texas at El Paso a…
Deborah Diaz was born and raised in El Paso, TX. After graduating from high school in 2008 she enrolled at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) that same year. However, Deborah was not able to continue at UTEP due to a mental health condition and severe depression.
In spite of this, Deborah knew that education was key to financial independence. In 2009, Deborah enrolled at a fo...
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Prior to enrolling in Project ARRIBA, Margie worked at a local medical practice where her boss, Dr. Ugarte, boldly inquired if Margie had ever considered becoming a nurse. The idea of going back to school was daunting and seemed hopeless, especially because Margie was a single mother of two and needed to work to support her family. Nevertheless, she trusted Dr. Ugarte and the idea that he belie...
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Christina Granillo applied to Project ARRIBA in summer of 2014 after being accepted into the University of Texas at El Paso’s nursing program. As a single mother of a young boy, Christina worked a part time job to provide for her son, as well as to cover the anticipated expenses associated with nursing school and childcare.
During the enrollment process, Christina shared that she was despe...
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Born and raised in Mexico, Rogelio Calvo is the oldest of three brothers and one sister. Prior to becoming a U.S. resident in the early 1990’s, Rogelio worked in the medical field in Mexico. However, due to the language barrier encountered upon his move to the United States and the inability to transfer his foreign credentials, he realized it was necessary for him to enroll in English as a Sec...
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Javier Perez. is 32 years old, married, and has two beautiful daughters. He came to Project ARRIBA in 2012, and at the time was working two jobs as a medical assistant. Javier wanted to continue his education, but as the sole provider for his family, he did not have the necessary resources to make this a reality. With Project ARRIBA’s financial, educational and social support, Javier complet...
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Mayte Githinji was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and moved to El Paso, Texas in 2011 when she was 18 years old.
Mayte received all her formal education in Mexico and, as a result, had to learn English prior to enrolling in college. After a semester of English as a Second Language classes, she was able to start her core classes at El Paso Community College (EPCC). There she met her husband who ...
Anniela Solano, a 25-year-old single mother, became a Project ARRIBA participant in 2012. At the time, she was a full-time student, unemployed, and had no prior work experience. Anniela wanted to work helping people in a field that offered her job security but knew in order to achieve this, she would need to complete her education. With Project ARRIBA’s assistance, Anniela completed her Regis...
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Belinda Atienzo was born and raised in El Paso’s Segundo Barrio. She graduated top ten percent of her class at Bowie High School, and began college at NMSU, pursuing a degree in nursing. However, due to financial struggles, she was forced to come back home with her parents. With determination to continue her journey, Belinda immediately transferred to EPCC. Working as a tutor/note-taker at the ...
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Christina Jimenez, is 39 years old, and is a single mother. Summer of 2012, she came to Project ARRIBA after completing her first semester in the Registered Nurse program. She was committed to completing her education, however only working part-time, she did not have the financial means to continue with her education on her own. With Project ARRIBA’s financial and case management support, Ch...
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Dara Castro, a single 23-year-old, came to Project ARRIBA in 2012. Dara lived with her parents and two younger siblings. Both her parents worked, however they struggled to make ends meet. When she applied to Project ARRIBA, Dara had just been accepted into the Physical Therapy Assistant program at El Paso Community College. Dara had a passion to work with patients in helping them recover from...
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