Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – RGV LEAD has been awarded a $19,500 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation to support the implementation of the Hidalgo County Criminal Justice Career and Legal Education Pipeline Initiative.
This initiative is designed to expand access to career pathways in criminal justice and legal professions for students across Hidalgo County. Through strategic partnerships with school districts, legal professionals, and workforce stakeholders, the program will provide students with exposure to legal careers, mentorship opportunities, and industry-aligned educational experiences.
“This investment from the Texas Bar Foundation allows us to intentionally build a structured workforce pipeline connecting students to meaningful careers in the legal and criminal justice fields,” said Maricela De León, MPA, CPM, Executive Director of RGV Linking Economic and Academic Development (LEAD). “We are committed to ensuring that students in our region have access to high-quality, career-aligned opportunities that prepare them for success beyond high school.”
| The Hidalgo County Criminal Justice Career and Legal Education Pipeline Initiative will focus on: |
| • Expanding student awareness of legal and criminal justice careers |
| • Strengthening partnerships between school districts and the legal community |
| • Providing career exploration, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities |
| • Supporting workforce development aligned with regional and statewide demand |
Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $30 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation’s largest charitably-funded bar foundation.
RGV LEAD will begin immediate implementation of the initiative and will collaborate with local education and legal partners to ensure measurable impact throughout the grant period.
