Everything VIDA CEO Felida Villarreal said on her recent podcast with the Guardian

Rio Grande Guardian's Podcast

MCALLEN, Texas - Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year.

The community-based nonprofit came about thanks to the efforts of Valley Interfaith and private-industry business leaders.

The impetus was the need to empower the underserved residents of in the Rio Grande Valley with the tools, education, and training needed to become self-sufficient while fueling the growth of existing employers and increasing recruitment of new investment to the area by developing a highly skilled workforce.

Recently, VIDA President and CEO Felida Villarreal came to the Rio Grande Guardian studios for a podcast conversation with editor Steve Taylor.

Villarreal said VIDA’s philosophy is very simple: a well-trained, well-educated population will not only be ready for tomorrow’s jobs. It will also be able to live a more prosperous, healthy, and happy life.

“The ultimate goal is job retention–not job placement–which will develop strong citizens who are self-sufficient taxpayers providing a clear return on investment of federal, state, local, and private funding,” Villarreal said.

“Our graduates have not only helped the families they support and the businesses that now employ them. Their ability to successfully move from the ranks of the low-income has helped us all. Their increased earnings have also enhanced their contributions to our tax system and reduced their dependence on public welfare.”

Villarreal said VIDA demonstrates a model for success by graduating participants into high-demand occupations that normally remained unfilled or were filled, at a very high cost, by people from outside the Valley.

During the conversation, Villarreal spoke about a recent podcast she was on with former Housing & Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, VIDA’s history, the group’s new annual report card, and its interaction with the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force.

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