Recognized for its groundbreaking impact on the Latino population within the Texan region of Rio Grande Valley, VIDA is a finalist for the revered Excelencia Award. In receiving a 'Seal of Excelencia', organizations are recognized for their remarkable contributions to the educational progression of Hispanic students and Hispanic communities; representing their successes in confronting structural barriers and longstanding inequities.
VIDA, established in 1995, is located in a region spanning the border of Mexico, home to a growing population of Hispanic residents and students - with studies revealing a total of 1.3 million Hispanic Texans since 2019. As these statistics continue to grow at a steady rate, the demographic plays an increasingly crucial role in the Texan labor force and contributes significantly to the economic developments of the region. Playing its part in the development of educational services and the cultivation of a skilled workforce, VIDA centers its work around uplifting students toward fruitful career journeys, aiding them in their often tumultuous paths to success. Of all students enrolled in the VIDA program, 96% are ethnically Hispanic and receive academic and career support that far extends their schooling years.
