The Maestro Cares Foundation Scholarship Program empowers talented, driven students who are breaking barriers and shaping a brighter future. Each recipient comes from a unique background and brings a passion for change in fields ranging from healthcare and engineering to social sciences and the arts. Through their studies, these exceptional individuals are gaining the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond. Meet our inspiring scholarship recipients, learn about their areas of study, and see how they are turning dreams into reality and making a difference in the world.
Check below to read a few of our Maestro Cares Scholars' stories, and discover the transformative impact these opportunities have had on their lives.
Itzel Ceja
My name is Itzel, and I’m incredibly proud to be among the 7% of registered nurses in the United States who identify as Latino. It’s a great honor for me to use my heritage, language, and life experiences to bridge the gap between the Latino community and healthcare. I’m excited to share that I passed my national exam in April and began my first role as a registered nurse in July. The road has been full of challenges, and I know I have a lot to learn, but I’m enthusiastic about growing and enhancing my skills. My goal is to gain experience over the next few years and then pursue a master’s in nursing, with the dream of eventually opening my own family and mobile practice.
If I had to define my life’s purpose, it would be to push boundaries and redefine Latino representation. This means not only achieving my goals in healthcare but also pursuing my goals outside of it, such as modeling and acting where I am equally as ambitious. As observed, I’m determined to break barriers and set new standards in every field I’m involved in, ensuring that my journey reflects my commitment to visibility and impact.
As a leader in the Latino community, dreaming big is essential. I know that many Latino generations are watching, and if I can inspire even one person to pursue their childhood dreams, I’ll consider my work a success.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Maestro Cares Foundation. Without their scholarship program, finishing my education would have been a distant dream. They made it possible for me to become a nurse, to focus on my passions, and to inspire future generations. What could have been a prolonged struggle became a successful journey, thanks to their support. Thank you, Maestro Cares Foundation. Thank you.
Daniela Baten
My story of gratitude and overcoming challenges began at Aldeas Infantiles SOS Guatemala, a place that was essential for me to dream of reaching my goals. I grew up in a close-knit family, full of love, with hardworking parents who dreamed of seeing us achieve our aspirations and gave us every possible opportunity, but economic limitations were an obstacle. Despite their efforts and desires, many times they could not offer us everything, which made each support we received even more valuable. It was in that context that I met the Maestro Cares Foundation through Aldeas Infantiles SOS, and their support changed my life. Being part of the scholarship program was a transformative experience, a backing that brought hope and made me realize that a better future was indeed possible.
Today, five years after dreaming it, and thanks to their generosity, I have completed my degree in public accounting and auditing. Next year, I will begin a master’s program to earn my degree—something I couldn’t have imagined some time ago. This scholarship not only alleviated my family’s financial burden but also allowed me to focus entirely on my studies and move forward. My scholarship was a valuable gift in a context where many young people, facing economic difficulties and wanting to achieve their goals, see illegal migration as their only way out.
With the completion of my degree and the start of a master’s program next year, I look to the future with gratitude and excitement. My goal now is to find a job where I can give back everything I have received. I would love to work with the Maestro Cares Foundation, an organization to which I owe much of who I am today.
Additionally, I want to work not only for myself but to support my parents and siblings so that they too can pursue their goals without being limited by economic hardships. The Maestro Cares Foundation not only helped me fulfill my dream but also taught me the importance of giving back to the community. Now, more than ever, I am ready to give my best in my professional career and continue building on the foundation we have established together.
I will always carry in my heart their generosity and the impact they have had on my life.
Changing Lives, Building Dreams.
The Maestro Cares Foundation improves the quality of life of disadvantaged children and communities in Latin America and the United States. We do so by providing housing, educational programming, and the essential resources to support their growth and development. Through our efforts, we’re strengthening communities and helping children become tomorrow’s leaders.