Mother Achieves Her Dreams

“I always dreamed of finishing high school, and I did it. Then I went on and graduated with an associate degree as a business administrative assistant, majoring in medical billing and accounting. Next year, I will graduate with a bachelor’s degree. I’m going to be a CPA!,” said Evelyn Escobar, a mother and a participant in the program led by the organization Jóvenes de Puerto Rico en Riesgo (Puerto Rico Youth at Risk).

Since 1996 the organization supports young people who are prone to drop out of school, offering mentoring and motivation to each participant. Although the program focuses mainly on young students, there’s room for everyone.

Stories like Evelyn’s show us that it’s never too late to make your dreams come true. Just to please her daughters, who had also been participants in the Jóvenes de Puerto Rico en Riesgo mentoring program, Evelyn decided to enter with the goal of getting her high school diploma.

“My daughters are proud of me. I tell everyone: ask for help, you are not alone. This organization is pure love, and they don’t place demands on you; they will help you achieve your plans. At the Ramón Power Giralt High School graduation, I walked with my daughters and I didn’t stop there, I’m still working to reach my dreams.”

Fundación Banco Popular contributes to the mentoring, academic support, and leadership development programs for 230 young people in San Juan, Canóvanas, Juncos, and Naguabo. These programs significantly increase young people’s educational success probabilities, while also strengthening their social skills.