Let's get Andrea Ruiz through school!

Hi, This is Naomi and I am fundraising for a dear friend who has big educational goals. I believe in the power and importance of community to rally around young people like Andrea. Please read about her below and help her if you can. Every dollar counts!

My name is Andrea Ruiz and I am 20 years old.

I began volunteering with The Hunger Coalition back in 2017. I have always been in the warehouse helping out with what was needed the most. From bagging vegetables, lifting the heavy boxes, restocking shelves, to even helping participants walkthrough and letting them have the freedom of choosing what they would like. Leaving was always the most bittersweet time of the day. I say this because when I would drive back to Carey, I would reflect on how my time there was spent and what I always learned from each and every person I met there. There was never a day that I didn’t leave satisfied and with a deep hunger of wanting to help more in any way I could.

When I began volunteering for The Hunger Coalition, I had thought it was like any other food bank. But for great reasons, I eventually found out I was wrong. Recalling the first time I walked in through the old building doors, I was immediately shown with kindness. As a first-generation Latina in my family, I have always had it tough. But looking back, I remember to this day, how The Hunger Coalition team has been there for me one way or another. From helping me with some essays to giving me advice on how to navigate life as a young adult. The Hunger Coalition means so much to my family and me. We struggled with paying bills and not having enough food sometimes. But, they gave us the help and resources we needed and it made our life better because we didn’t have to worry. The Hunger Coalition is and will always be a place I can always go back to.

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I have always known that I wanted to grow up helping people, and medicine has always been interesting to me. I decided to take classes that pertain to the medical field and getting my CNA in high school. While I was working as a CNA, I decided to get my certificate for medication assistant. So, I would have the skills and knowledge to pass medication to residents. While getting my Associates in Health Science, I got my BTC- Basic Technical Certificate. A year later I applied to the Surgical Tech Program and I got in! My educational goal is to complete the Surgical Tech program. I want to work for at least a year to gain experience and network. Then, I am going to find such a program where I can be a travel surgical tech for a while. Once I am satisfied with my skills and ability to adapt to different environments, I want to give my time, my skills, and my knowledge to where it may be needed anywhere in the world really. I will then go back to school, so I can see what I can do to improve or get further in my educational career.

The surgical tech is a two-year program. I am taking 10 classes in the fall, 12 in spring 2022, 5 during summer 2022, and 10 more in the fall of 2022 so far. Each credit is $190 because I am not a resident of Twin Falls. This comes out to be $7,030 plus the required health insurance to be in the program, required surgical apparel ( specific scrubs, hat, shoes..etc) as well to cover my books and future tests that will be required. I am grateful for any support.

Thank you,

Andrea Ruiz Loera