doors to achieve their dreams. I’m just lucky to get paid. But not
for one minute have I ever thought I don’t want to do this when
I know I can do something really meaningful.”
Corcuera believes with conviction that the power to shatter the
cycle of poverty lies in pursuing higher education. Many of the
Latino families she works with struggle with even navigating
through the idea of attending college. Overwhelmed with
thoughts that higher education is too expensive, these families
often encourage their high school graduates to funnel straight
into the workforce - sidestepping college all together.
“We want to show these families that there are opportunities
for everyone,” said Corcuera. “And when we show them
what’s possible, I’ve watched kids jump up and down with
excitement. They inspire their whole family. Their younger siblings
get excited.”
Clicking through the videos streaming on UnidosNow’s website,
viewers can’t help but smile at the young adults expressing
heart-felt thank you messages to the organization that strives
to give these kids opportunities to look beyond their limits.
Sometimes juggling two jobs to help contribute to their families,
many students gush with disbelief that they can attend college
and one day stand out as leaders in their community.
UnidosNow unlocks an entire toolbox of resources not only
for high school students seeking college scholarships and
assistance on applications, but also for parents who long to learn
English and how to navigate the school system in the United
States, which is often a shadowy trail of intimidation. UnidosNow
employs a holistic approach by unwrapping resources for the
entire family.
“These kids succeed because they are hard-working, and we
believe no one should fall through the cracks,” said Corcuera,
who has two grown daughters of her own. “I want every kid to
have what my kids had.”
In the spirit of her parents giving back to their village, Corcuera
emphasizes that UnidosNow fosters the idea that once you get
something out of your community, it’s important to give back to
your community. Parents who attend support classes through
UnidosNow often bond with blossoming
friendships and join together to share
their resources, like how to start a
cleaning business or tips to save money
on hotels.
Although Corcuera expresses pride in her
organization, she strongly believes it takes
an entire community to inspire progress.
“I’m so thankful we landed in a community
like Manatee,” she said with smiles
dripping from her words. “We are so
grateful for the people who believed in
us and guided our children. There is an
excellent quality of human beings here.”
When Corcuera heard she had won the
Charles Clapsaddle Award, warm gratitude
and humbleness grew in her heart.
“I could not believe that I was going to be honored with this award
because Charles Clapsaddle is such a dear person – someone I
love and admire,” she said. “I’ve known him for many years, and
he is one of the most loved, seless individuals I have ever met
in my life. We are so lucky he belongs to us, to our community.
I’m just blown away.”
Corcuera, who meditates every day and relishes long walks
on the beach, connects with her UnidosNow families because
she too lived the life of an immigrant. Daughters Mariella and
Daniella grew up watching both their parents write essays, tackle
homework, and study as they committed to further their careers
with higher education in Canada.
“I chose psychology as my career because I wanted to
understand myself and to understand others and have that
level of empathy,” Corcuera said. “I enjoyed learning the many
tools to have a deep understanding of self and that we are all
so unique.”
Relocating to Manatee County, Corcuera hit the ground running
with community building and engagement. She served as
program director for ealthy Start Manatee and as Community
ealth Director for the Florida Department of ealth in Manatee
County before her position at UnidosNow. She continues to
advocate for understanding the social determinates inuencing
socio-economic wellbeing.
When she is not guiding her community, you might nd her
whipping up a delicious ceviche in the kitchen where she loves
to create recipes and improvise as a therapeutic outlet. Music
and dancing soothe her soul and her heart beats for her family,
which now includes 4-year-old grandson Alexander and newborn
granddaughter Elisabeth.
“Next to UnidosNow, the most wonderful job in the world is to
be a grandparent,” Corcuera said before pausing to collect her
thoughts. “To see your grandchildren is the most amazing feeling
- to see those little lives starting out and forming.”
On a recent trip to visit her daughter and grandchildren in
Luxembourg where they live, Corcuera embarked on a walk with
her family. With the sun shining and an ocean-blue sky stretched
out before them, Corcuera pushed the
stroller where Elisabeth slept. An older
gentleman stopped them and shared
that it was a wonderful sight to see three
generations of women.
“e said how lucky I was to witness
the rst chapters of this new life,” said
Corcuera who admitted this gave her
chills. “I thought these were the most
beautiful words.”
Reaching back into her own rst chapters
of life, Corcuera will forever draw on her
own experience, helping her parents
teach reading and writing to those who
never thought they would have the
opportunity, as she continues to pour love
into Manatee County.
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