Alas Graduation – Ventures Visit
A few weeks ago, CFR was afforded the opportunity to attend the graduation ceremony for the Alas Program (Spanish for Wings); an intensive six-month financial education program, facilitated by Ventures, aimed at providing financial coaching and guidance to the local Latinx community in Santa Cruz county. The event drew dozens of friends and family members of the graduates to celebrate their hard work and dedication to improving their financial knowledge despite a plethora of personal and professional commitments outside of the program. The space was beautifully decorated with vivid shades of pink, yellow and green and attendees were greeted with hugs, smiles and delicious Latinx-based food and beverages. We’re delighted to celebrate the remarkable impact of Ventures, whose dedication not only transforms lives but also serves as a beacon of inspiration.
As the ceremony commenced, it was clear that the theme of the night was pride. Every single graduate beamed with it, standing tall as they were congratulated on completing what many folks in the United States struggle with: achieving a better understanding of the American financial system and how they can empower themselves to thrive in it. Several graduates shared their experiences of how they initially were unsure they would make it through the program but were glad they saw it through, now equipped with a fundamental understanding of their own personal value of money. Many graduates also spoke about the incredible staff that helped them get to this point; Ventures staff who tirelessly spent many hours providing all the resources they could to meet folks where they are at and not where they expected them to be.
As the graduates lined up to accept their certificates, Program Director Adriana Melgoza offered words of admiration and encouragement; admiration for the dedication of all those involved, and encouragement that this was not the end but rather the beginning of owning your power in how you navigate the socio-economic climate of today.
We at CFR are proud to have such amazing partners that change the lives of those in their communities, and in their success provide inspiration to other communities beyond.
