From Participant to Equine Manager & Spanish Speaking Liason
Written by: Erendira Ramirez
Hello, I’m Erendira, and I want to tell you a little bit about my transformative journey, a journey that was made possible by the unwavering support and opportunities provided by CORRAL Riding Academy.
My journey with CORRAL began back in 2009 when I was just a middle school student, considered to be in at-risk circumstances. Fast forward to today, and I proudly wear the badges of being a CORRAL alumna and a Campbell University alumna. I’m also on the path to becoming a lawyer, currently preparing for the LSAT – so, yes, I’d greatly appreciate all the prayers and support!
My personal journey is a testament to this transformation. I was born into a life of disarray, fleeing my home country of Mexico with my mother, leaving behind our language, our family, and everything we knew. I could have easily succumbed to the belief that family is fraught with negativity, but CORRAL showed me otherwise. It taught me that the cycle of despair can be broken.
Today, I work as a staff member at CORRAL, primarily assisting LatinX families by providing Spanish translation and interpretation services – something my mother didn’t have when I was a participant, but that didn’t stop her from working tirelessly with CORRAL to ensure I had the tools to build a better future.
Thanks to this program, I embarked on a path of self-discovery and academic achievement. I graduated from Campbell University in 2020 with two bachelor’s degrees earned simultaneously. Even when I had the option to move on from our program, I chose to remain a part of this incredible family, hoping to inspire other participants to realize that they too can shape their destinies.
Recently in my role as LatinX Community Liaison, I had the privilege of helping a Spanish speaking grandmother who wanted a brighter future for her grandchildren who were in at-risk situations. She realized that, just like them, I had also once found myself in their shoes, and CORRAL had helped me achieve the success she had yearned for her family. It was a moment of profound realization for her, one that reaffirmed the opportunities for success through our program.
Today, I am honored to be a role model for many participants, and I am driven by a profound sense of purpose and determination to continue changing the world around me. This journey would not have been possible without my mother, CORRAL, and champions like you who believe in the impossible. Thank you for your unwavering support and for choosing to stand by us. Together, we are rewriting the narratives of marginalized youth and creating a brighter future for all.
