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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Valley Initiative for Development and |
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Advancement (VIDA) is celebrating its 25th anniversary year in |
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2021, and this milestone in its history truly merits special |
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recognition; and |
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WHEREAS, This community-based nonprofit organization was |
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established in 1995 by faith and business leaders in the Lower Rio |
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Grande Valley to empower the region's underserved residents by |
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providing them with the education and training they need to qualify |
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for good, high-paying jobs; the initiative also addresses the need |
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of area employers for a skilled workforce; and |
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WHEREAS, VIDA's career counselors and case managers address |
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financial matters, family issues, and the time management concerns |
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of each student, and they conduct group sessions on such topics as |
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resume preparation, interviewing techniques, and study skills; |
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guest speakers also instruct program participants on a variety of |
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topics, including home buying, investing, and planning for |
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retirement; and |
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WHEREAS, Working with educational institutions such as South |
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Texas College and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, VIDA |
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places its students in one-year certificate programs and two-year |
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associate degree programs in such subjects as allied health, |
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manufacturing, technology, business, and education and social |
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services; in addition, students may train for careers as police |
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officers, paralegals, web developers, dental hygienists, and |
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vocational nurses, among many other fields; and |
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WHEREAS, A recent Pathways for Advancing Careers and |
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Education (PACE) evaluation shows that 98 percent of VIDA |
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participants took part in some education and training, while 55 |
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percent obtained a credential or a degree; compared to a control |
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group without access to the program, VIDA participants enrolled in |
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college at a greater rate, earned more college credits, and earned |
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more degrees and certifications; and |
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WHEREAS, Since its inception, VIDA has demonstrated |
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remarkable success at training skilled workers for high-demand |
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jobs, and in so doing, it has helped to develop the next generation |
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of engaged and productive citizens; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commemorate the 25th |
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anniversary year of the Valley Initiative for Development and |
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Advancement and extend to all those associated with the program |
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sincere best wishes for continued success in their important work; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for VIDA as an expression of high regard by the Texas House |
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of Representatives. |