As the first in her family to go to college, Rachelle Mendoza chose pre-nursing after caring for her cousin who is legally blind due to undiagnosed diabetes. “What happened to my cousin could have been prevented, which is why I want to focus on a healthcare career.”

“I was behind on my rent and had lost hope. It was starting to affect my school work.”

As a mom of three boys including one with special needs, being a full-time student while working can be stressful. The Foundation provided Rachelle an emergency grant when finances got tight. “The grant helped with my car payment, alleviated the stress so I could focus back on school. I am very grateful students have these additional resources,” Rachelle says.

You can support the Foundation’s emergency grant by making a gift here http://rtc.edu/donate-to-the-foundation