PHOENIX (STN) – As a young, first-generation Latina helping to raise her five younger siblings, Yered MadRo yearned for something more but lacked time to focus on herself.
“I never put myself first, [never] really prioritized my education or anything to do as far as developing for myself,” she said.
That changed when she was scrolling through social media and found out about Aspire, a program and partnership with Valley of the Sun United Way (VSUW) that assists anyone looking to complete high school or get a GED.
“They connected me with a social worker counselor,” MadRo said. “She helped with my GED and then getting everything situated with schooling.”
A few years later, after Yered started her own family, she put her education to work. She got a job in the administration office at Equality Health, another organization that partners with VSUW, when a chance encounter brought someone from her past back into her life.
Watch Yered’s story in the video below
“When I saw Tanya up there speaking, I was like, ‘I’m pretty sure they were doing a partnership with the Aspire program,’” MadRo said. “I did a quick Google search and it was like [the] whole 360. The world is so small, they provided me assistance. And now I’m over here doing the same for others.”
Tanya Muñiz is the Chief Financial and Operating Officer at VSUW and spent time working with the Aspire program, where she originally crossed paths with MadRo.
Seeing Muñiz again years later, MadRo reached out.
“Yered made a real point to seek me out and find me,” Muñiz said. “Talking with her was just very inspirational. For her to be so transparent about the challenges that she faced, but also too willing to share all of the success she’s had is going to impact somebody else’s life.”
It’s that reconnection, for both MadRo and Muñiz, that highlights the importance of the work that Valley of the Sun United Way does, helping people who go on to help others.
“I enjoy making an impact in people’s lives, especially in underserved communities, Latino and queer communities,” MadRo said. “It takes me back because I know how it is to be asking for help, being vulnerable, being okay [knowing] that it’s okay if you need help.”
A sentiment that Muñiz agreed with.
“That really speaks to the importance and the value of Valley of the Sun United Way and why it’s been here for a hundred years,” she said. “The work of our community and the work of United Way will continue on for a hundred more.”
Visit the Valley of the Sun United Way for more information.
