Senior Case Manager (EPCC)

E-Mail Address: iloera@projectarriba.org
Phone Extension: 242

Isela Loera, joined Project ARRIBA in January 2011 as a case manager and currently works with the El Paso Community College nursing students at Project ARRIBA.

Isela graduated from Jefferson High School. She has a Bachelors of Science in Human Services from the University of Phoenix and a Masters in Psychology. She has over 20 years experience in customer service. She has also worked as a monitored visitation specialist at the Child Crisis Center of El Paso. She completed internships with Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home and Adult Protective Services doing in home investigations and services.

Isela Loera was born and raised in El Paso, TX, and is the oldest of three siblings. She has lived in El Paso all her life and considers this her home. Isela enjoys working with people and helping make a difference in people’s lives. She believes that all dreams are possible as long as one believes and is willing to work to make their dreams come true.

“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams” by Oprah Winfrey

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1. Please begin by giving us your name, company and title.

I am Isela Loera (Senior Case Manager) and have been with Project ARRIBA for ten years.

2. As a Case Manager, you get to work closely with program participants and graduates. What is the one thing, one trait, one quality that all successful participants and graduates have in common?

The one trait successful participants and graduates have in common is not giving up. The programs are difficult and those who succeed are the individuals who don’t give up despite their own doubts and fears, and even when others tell you that you won’t succeed.

3. What’s the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is helping people. I get to motivate and encourage individuals to pursue their dreams, and finding employment after graduation is the best feeling of accomplishment.

4. Please share one example of how Project ARRIBA lifts the community.

Project ARRIBA lifts the community by helping individuals graduate and be able to obtain employment that provides a living wage. The graduates are then able to pay taxes and spend money in El Paso helping to contribute to El Paso’s economy.

5. In your opinion, why is the work of Project ARRIBA so important to El Paso’s Latino community?

Project ARRIBA’s work is important to El Paso’s Latino community because it provides educational assistance to individuals who otherwise may not be able to afford to go to school. The education the Latino community receives helps graduates obtain employment that pays them well and helps them provide for their families. Project ARRIBA also provides support services that can help individuals with day care, school materials, and most importantly a case manager. Case managers work with participants to help them overcome barriers so they can graduate.

6. Do you ever think about what impact your work has on the trajectory of these individuals? Talk about that.

I do think about it, and I am the first one who knows once a participant graduates, their lives will change. Participants will be working in jobs they only dreamed about, and never believed they would be able to do. They will be making a good income that will allow them to provide for themselves and their families. They will continue with their education and be examples that one can achieve their goals if you put in the work and don’t give up on your dream.

7. I’ve heard you are affectionately called the fairy godmother around the office – why do you think they say that?

I would say I am called a fairy godmother because I help make peoples dreams come true. However, the most important work is done by participants who make sacrifices to attend school, and who want better employment opportunities. I believe as a case manager I am someone who can guide, motivate, listen, and believe in someone’s dream. I am fortunate that I get the chance to share the journey with my participants.

8. I would imagine your job is busy and you put long hours in – what keeps you motivated? What’s your inspiration?

I would say I stay motivated because I love to help participants and want them to be successful. The job can be demanding but there is no greater feeling than when participants graduate and get ready to start a new life. The new life for a graduate comes with success at achieving their educational goal, a new job, and more money than some participants have ever made. I personally find my inspiration thru music and taking my own advice as I tell participants we need to take care of ourselves so we can continue to do what we love to do.

*Questions by Tony Hernandez, Immigrant Archive Project