Success — Lives Transformed

CET's Training & Encouragement Aids in Success

Now a successful entrepreneur and mother of four, Maria Maciel has overcome insurmountable odds to achieve her success—thanks to CET's program and encouragement, Maria and her family are on their way to a better life.

In November 2000, Maria enrolled in the Retail course with CET El Centro as a participant through the Workforce Investment Act office (WIA). Unfortunately, her high risk pregnancy did not allow her to graduate on time, as she was ordered to take time off from school, due to her delicate condition. She requested a leave of absence and promised to return to CET after the birth of her child.

This was a difficult decision for Maria, as her family was in crisis—her husband was disabled and had not worked since 2000, and one of her three children was also ill and required many follow up visits to a neurosurgeon in San Diego. When the students in her CET class learned of her situation, they decided to help: a fund raiser completely sponsored by the students, raised $700 to help Maria's family through their challenges.

After the birth of her fourth child, Maria not only returned to the training like she had promised, but she complete her training and graduated with her Retail Certificate in August of 2003.

Maria quickly found a part time job at Jack-in-the-Box, however, the hours she was working did not leave her the time she needed for her family. Mr. Andrew Rivera, her CET instructor, urged her to use her talent for cooking and start her own business. With the help of her instructors, Maria applied for and received her Business License and Heath Certificate, and is now running her own "lunch wagon business". Since there are no restaurants in the vicinity, she drives her wagon to the CET campus and offers a variety of Mexican breakfast and lunch dishes to the students and the small businesses nearby.

Always determined, Maria also works as an independent consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics.

Maria often returns to CET for advice from her instructors about how to run her business, and shared with us that "God puts real-life angels in your life; I found some here at CET. Thank you!"

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