According to Trinity River Mission graduate Mariana Paniagua,
I graduated as part of the Class of 2017 from the Believe & Achieve program at Trinity River Mission (TRM). I was a part of the program since the last semester of my freshman year in high school. Since then, TRM has truly changed my life and I am forever grateful for them. I am the first in my family to attend college, while both of my parents only received a high school diploma. I am currently attending UNT Denton pursuing an education degree in the hopes of becoming a kindergarten teacher, and it is my dream to be able to work with younger kids!
TRM prepared me to succeed in college by letting me know that college is possible. I was able to receive two scholarships, one being the Believe and Achieve Scholarship. These scholarships have really helped me with the beginning of my college journey; they gave me some extra help with tuition and books, which I really needed for all my classes.
Although college is going well for me, my biggest struggle right now is finding my own self-confidence. Slowly I have been growing my self-confidence, but some days are harder than others. I know that within myself I have the qualities and the resources I need to succeed, but sometimes I get it in my mind that I cannot do it. I often feel like I need somebody to give me a push in my confidence and to let me know that I can succeed. Thankfully TRM recently contacted me about receiving a mentor for the remainder of my time in college. I was thrilled to hear about this opportunity and excited for TRM to expand their mentoring program because this expansion will now help all of the current and future college students to be fully prepared for college success! I’m looking forward to having a mentor I can look up to and someone who can guide me in my college journey. Not only will this make college easier, but the ability to count on someone for help is a great feeling.
TRM also informed me that they will be sending me care packages, with items that will remind me of home, small items to keep me on track with school, and personalized notes to encourage me while I’m finishing college! I can imagine getting this package in the mail, and I know that when I open it I will feel the love and support from everyone back home who are rooting for me.
TRM makes a huge effort to give back to the community and, most importantly, the students they serve. They are always looking out for the students’ best interests, as well as for their families’, and giving them the resources they need to be successful.
* Photo provided by Mariana Paniagua ** Graphic provided by Trinity River Mission
In ten years, Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day has pumped more than $240 million into the North Texas community. In 2018, more than $48 million was raised through more than 157,000 gifts benefiting over 2,700 area nonprofits.
On Thursday, September 19, support Trinity River Mission by linking here and spreading the word. #NTxGivingDay
