Texas Border Business
MERCEDES, Texas – Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) has been awarded an $800,000 grant from Ascendium Education Group to participate in a prestigious national randomized controlled trial (RCT) which began in July 2024. This highly competitive study will evaluate VIDA’s program effectiveness and its impact on underserved populations, reinforcing VIDA’s commitment to educational and workforce success in the Rio Grande Valley.
The RCT will compare two groups: one receiving VIDA’s wraparound support services—including academic and career counseling, financial assistance, and soft skills training—and one without access to VIDA services. Both groups will be followed over time to measure the long-term outcomes of VIDA’s intervention. “This grant from Ascendium is a transformative opportunity,” said Felida Villarreal, VIDA President & CEO. “It enables us to rigorously assess how our services empower vulnerable students and refine our efforts to help them overcome educational and economic barriers.”
VIDA will prioritize students at the greatest risk of educational setbacks, focusing on those entering college or early in their academic journey, where the need for support is greatest. The study’s findings will guide how VIDA and other organizations optimize resources to achieve the most significant impact.
VIDA has long been a leader in workforce development, helping Rio Grande Valley residents achieve economic self-sufficiency through education and training. This study marks another milestone in VIDA’s nearly 30-year history of transforming lives and communities.
AboutAscendiumEducation Group
Ascendium Education Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping people achieve their academic and career goals. Our national philanthropy focuses on increasing opportunities for learners from low-income backgrounds to achieve upward mobility through high-quality learning after high school. Through our grants, we explore innovative ideas, validate promising practices, and scale successful solutions that advance meaningful, systemic change. To learn more, visit ascendiumphilanthropy.org.
About Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement
For over 29 years, VIDA has helped more than 6,000 economically disadvantaged valley residents successfully complete career training programs in high demand occupations and achieve self-sufficiency. In 2024, VIDA served 742 participants with an average persistence rate of 91%. Participants entered VIDA’s program earning an average hourly wage of $5.70, but graduated and secured employment with an average hourly wage of over $22.96! This is a true representation of human capital investment and aligning workforce skills with local industry demand. To learn more about VIDA, please visit www.vidacareers.org or call (956) 903-1900.
