For many adult learners, the path to education can feel like an uphill climb, with financial barriers slowing their progress. First Literacy scholarships act as a quiet yet vital source of support, helping these individuals grow and reach their goals. This year, 43 adult learners were given the opportunity to take the next step in their educational journeys, nurturing the dreams they once thought were beyond reach.
Enrique’s Story
Enrique painting a mural at Catholic Charities of Boston.
Enrique came to the United States from El Salvador with a dream and a strong determination to pursue a better life and further his education — opportunities that had previously been out of reach. His journey to the U.S. meant leaving behind his life as a seminarian and embracing his passion for the arts, with an aspiration to become a graphic designer.
Life outside the seminary was not easy. In his home country of El Salvador, gang violence was rampant, claiming the lives of some of his family members and leaving Enrique with little hope for a secure future. The decision to leave his country was both a necessity and a leap of faith, as he sought a path that would allow him to live out his dream while escaping the dangers of his environment.
When Enrique first explored his options for returning to school, he was concerned about the financial challenges of supporting himself while paying for classes. Through Catholic Charities, he learned about First Literacy, a connection he now cherishes. First Literacy offered him not only financial assistance but also the courage to pursue his passion relentlessly.
Balancing his studies with a full-time job as a server and barista is demanding, yet Enrique maintains a carefully organized schedule, determined not to let work stand in the way of his dreams. Beyond his studies and work, Enrique is also a self-taught painter, finding inspiration from museums and online tutorials. His love for art fuels his vision to bring beauty and inspiration to others through graphic design, just as he once hoped to uplift people in his former religious pursuits.
“I wanted to inspire and help people somehow,” Enrique shared, “and that desire stays with me. As a graphic designer, I will work on bringing beauty to the world.”
The First Literacy scholarship is helping Enrique build a future where his passion for art can thrive, allowing him to impact the world with creativity and purpose.