Overview
Eliana VelasquezRegistered Nurse
Eliana became a Project ARRIBA participant in 2011 at the age of 25. She had been separated from her husband, and had custody of her two younger brothers ages 15 and 8. She worked part time doing tax returns and was earning $7.25 an hour. She relied on social security income and food stamps to meet living expenses. Eliana started off with the LEAP/WDA program at El Paso Community College and then started her college courses. She did not qualify for financial aid as she had exceeded allowed hours, and relied on Project ARRIBA to help pay for her education. Eliana worked hard and with determination graduated from EPCC as a registered nurse. She is now working at University Medical Center earning well over $50,000/year.