AVANCE – El Paso
Success Story for Literacy Links

Martha Ronquillo found out about the AVANCE-El Paso Even Start program from a social worker who visited her in the hospital when her younger daughter Hailey was born in November 2003.  She has two other school-age children.  She had fallen into a very deep depression and describes her life then as “difficult, sad, and at home all the time without really knowing there was a world full of opportunities waiting for me, the truth is it was a challenge just to leave the security of my house.”  Months later, Martha got up the courage to go to AVANCE and begin the Even Start program on August 18, 2004 at Burleson Elementary near the public housing complex where she lived.  Her English vocabulary was limited to name, date, time, and place; in answer to questions, her responses were short; she would not speak to the teacher or other students unless spoken to.  Slowly, she awakened, drawn by the parenting classes in which she also learned to make toys for Hailey who was being cared for in the early childhood center next door.  Martha’s confidence and English ability picked up.  She began working in a nursing home – the graveyard shift, 1:15 am to 6:00 am, Monday through Thursday, while coming to Even Start for parenting, ESL, and GED classes Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 2:15 pm.  Now, after almost twenty-one months in the program, Martha is a changed person.  She says, “AVANCE has changed my entire life and my three daughters as well.  I laugh, I see how much life has to offer, and I feel productive and that I make a difference in my job, my daughters’ education, and most importantly in myself.  I truly believe that life can be very difficult for all of us at some time or another, but it is important to take the risk of trying something new, even if it is scary to us.  When we open our eyes and see with our mind and our hearts, we will always find that life has many, many wonderful things to offer.”  In April 2006, Martha tested and passed all five GED tests.  She plans to enter El Paso Community College now.  In addition, her oldest daughter Estrella, just graduated Jefferson High School in the top 10% of her class and has been accepted into UTEP (the University of Texas at El Paso).  Along the way, little Hailey transformed just like mom – she was both sad and angry when mom was depressed, and now she’s bright and active and loves books, just like mom!  Recently, Martha was kind enough and courageous enough to share her story of work, study, family, and perseverance in front of more than 240 people – superintendents, principals, city and county representatives and especially business owners and other professionals - at a fundraising breakfast.  Thank you, Martha!