Senior Case Manager (Texas Tech)

E-Mail Address: pestrada@projectarriba.org
Phone Extension: 230

Starting in June 2014, Priscilla came on board as the Program Specialist. With clear determination and great passion for our mission, she soon worked her way up to Senior Case Manager.

Priscilla is a San Elizario High School Graduate. She attended El Paso Community College, where she obtained her Associates of Arts in Education. She then went on to achieve her Bachelors of Science in Human Services at the University of Phoenix. Priscilla is a former volunteer for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Salvation Army, as well as the San Elizario Independent School District.

Born and raised in El Paso, TX, Priscilla is the proud daughter of her two greatest supporters, Francisco and Guadalupe Estrada. She is also the proud mother of Luis Angel, age 7. Priscilla strongly believes that positivity is the key to life; if you believe in yourself, then you are already a step ahead.

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

Priscilla Estrada, Project ARRIBA, Senior Case Manager

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?

When it comes to our program participants and graduates, the one trait that I believe they have in common in this path for success would be their grit. It takes true passion and a lot of determination to follow through on your goals, especially with many obstacles to overcome. However, with grit and the right support, they are able to jump through each obstacle and reach success.

3. What’s the best part of your job?

The best part of my job would definitely be the opportunity that I have to make an impact in each participant’s life, and with that, lifting the community of El Paso. Each individual comes with a common goal, but many different obstacles. Having the opportunity to get to know each of them individually, determine the best way to assist each, following them through this journey, then witnessing them be successful and reach their goals is definitely the most rewarding part of my job.

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

Born and raised here in El Paso, I have witnessed the unity and pride that comes with being part of this community. El Pasoans have, not only individual goals, but dreams of helping their community as well. Many times, the biggest factor coming between each individual and their goals, is the lack of resources and support. Having the opportunity to be part of Project ARRIBA, they are able to reach both their individual and community goals. Participants reach their educational goals, get their dream job, and in turn are able to give back to the community of El Paso.

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

The Latino community makes up a big part El Paso. As Latinos, we all come from very diverse backgrounds, upbringings, and challenges. Those challenges include but are not limited to language barriers, immigrant parents, being first-generation college goers, lack of guidance through the school systems, and limited resources. Many times, I encounter individuals that have the desire to be successful, not only for themselves, but also to make their family proud and be able to provide for them. However, this often drives them to put a low wage job ahead of their education or they struggle to complete their education due to the lack of guidance or other socioeconomic barriers. The work of Project ARRIBA is aimed to mitigate these barriers, therefore making it a very crucial and important part of their success.

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

I am blessed with the opportunity to come across amazing individuals with big hearts and great passion. With that said, they never hesitate to express their feelings and gratitude towards the impact that Project ARRIBA and I, as their case manager, have in their life. Moreover, I am able to witness how their life changes from the moment they come into the program to the moment that they land their dream job and are able to provide for their family. This definitely is something that I stop and think about, as the work that we do here is literally life changing to these individuals, and I am very grateful to be a part of that.

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

I have heard in the past that a fairy godmother, in fairy tales, is a physical symbol of hope for those that believe. In real life, it only takes someone with passion and faith, in individuals willing to put in the hard work, to advocate for them and provide them with the correct resources for success. As a case manager, I can see how we bring hope to each individual who walks through these doors believing in themselves but is needing those resources to achieve their goals. With the right guidance and advocacy, the hard work and dedication really comes from the participants themselves.

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

I am part of the El Paso community, I have been that single mom with many hopes and dreams but no resources to achieve them, and I have also been a proud college graduate, who with hard work and the correct guidance, now finds herself in a career she loves. I am motivated by the desire to help others achieve success here in this community and inspired by each and every participant’s story as they come in and overcome all barriers in order to reach their goals.

*Questions by Tony Hernandez, Immigrant Archive Project