For some community members, the lack of cars and driver’s licenses limits educational and employment opportunities. To address that need, we provided $30,000 from our Venture Fund to support the Center for Justice Innovation’s Driving Toward Equity: Increasing Access to Drivers Licenses for Latino Families project. The grant supported costs associated with drivers’ permits, licensing fees and driving courses for Latino families. The Driving Toward Equity project was chosen during our 2023 Participatory Grantmaking project, launched to address inequity within historically marginalized communities.
Written by: Angie Torres, Community Member
My name is Angie. I came to Syracuse when I was 18 years old, determined to build a better life for myself. At 21, I had my son, Alexis — my greatest motivation.
In 2022, I completed my GED, a goal I had been working toward for a long time. The following year, I graduated from the YWCA program, which opened the door to a new opportunity: teaching financial classes to other women. While I was helping others learn, I was also learning to believe in myself. I started building my credit and taking steps toward more independence.
One of the biggest challenges was simply getting to class. I often paid $15 to $25 for Ubers, and sometimes $10 more if a neighbor gave me a ride so I could drop my son off at school. I tried to take the driving test two or three times, but eventually I stopped out of discouragement.
When I started working as a caregiver with my grandmother, I realized how much easier life would be if I could drive. I kept finding reasons to delay, but each time, transportation costs piled up. I was able to find support through the Center for Justice Innovation’s Driving Toward Equity: Increasing Access to Drivers Licenses for Latino Families project. Finally, on November 8, 2024, in the middle of winter, I passed the written driving exam. On January 15, 2025, I completed the five-hour course.
When summer arrived, I made my first road test appointment for June 5, 2025. Unfortunately, I missed it because my grandmother was hospitalized. But I didn’t give up. With renewed encouragement and determination, I scheduled another test. On July 10, 2025, I passed my road test.
That moment was life-changing. Earning my driver’s license gave me a new sense of freedom and opened doors to future opportunities. I can now bring my grandmother and mother to appointments, take Alexis to programs and sports, and continue my education to earn my certification. I even attended a homebuyer orientation in September as part of my plan to create a better future for my family.
In February 2025, I also got passports for both Alexis and myself — a step that made him so happy and marked another milestone in our journey.
None of this would have been possible without the love and support of the people around me. My friend and family member, Leah Russell, the Coordinator of Center for Justice Innovation’s Near Westside Peacemaking Project, guided me through programs, aid and benefits that uplift our whole community. And a big thank you to Qiana Williams, program officer at the Central New York Community Foundation, for believing in us all.
Getting my license has been truly life-changing — it has given me freedom, confidence, and the ability to take care of my family and future. Together, with the support of my community, I know we can all keep moving forward.
Spanish translation:
Mi Nombre Es Angie. Vine A Syracuse Cuando Tenia 18 Años. A Los 21 Años Tuve A Mi Hijo Alexis. Complete Mi GED En El 2022. Complete El Programa YWCA En El 2023 . Me Dieron La Oportunidad De Dal Clases De Finanzas A Otras Mujeres. Yo A La Misma Vez Aprendiendo y Creyendo Mucho Mas En Mi Misma. Estoy Creado Mi Credito Ahora. Volviendo a la Historia Esa Oportunidad Vino Con Responsabilidad de Llegar A esa Clase Pague Ubers de 15$ hasta 25$. Aveces 10$ Mas Si Mi Vecino Me Daba Ride A Llevar a Mi Hijo a La Escuela Por Meses. Trate El Examen Por Meses por Lo Menos 2 a 3 Veces Lo Intente Pero Pare Por Que Me Desanime.
Tan Pronto Me Dieron El Trabajo Con Mi Abuela De Caregiver Me Di Cuenta Que Tenia Que Seguir pero Ponia Excusas Pero Cada Vez Pagaba Mas Y Mas Por Ubers. En Nov 8, 2024 Pase El Examen Escrito. Era Invierno En Eso Momentos. Tome El Curso De Las 5 Horas En Enero 15 2025. Llego El Verano Y Hice Mi Primera Cita Para El Road Test En Junio 5, 2025 Perdi La Cita Queria Cojer El Examen Pero Mi Abuela Estaba Hospitalizada Y Pues No Pude Llegar A Tomarlo. Luego Con Mucho Animo Y Emocion Hice Mi Proxima Cita Para Provarme A Mi Misma Y A los Que Van A Mi Que Es Posible Ser Mas De Una Cosa En Esta Vida.
Llego Julio 10 Del 2025 Y PASE El Road Test. Ahora Tengo la Libertad Y Mas Oportunidades De Ir a la escuela Y Obtener Mi Certificado. Crear un Mejor Futuro. Llevar a Mi Abuela Y Mama A Las Citas. Salir y aventurarme Con mi Hijo Alexis Y llevarlo a programas y deportes. En Septiembre tengo homebuyer orientation. La Licencia Me a prindado la Libertad y El poder de hacer cosas para mi y mi familia y me enorgullece decir que es Gracias a Todos Mis Seres Queridos Por Creer y Confiar. MiAmiga y Familia Leah Russell Me Ayudo a Dal esos pasos Con todos sus programas ayudas y beneficios que ayudan a toda nuestra comunidad . GRACIAS A Quiana William Por Creer En Toda Nuestra Comunidad. JUNTOS Podemos ser mejor. Quiero Añadir Que Es Un Cambio de Vida Para Lo Mejor.
GRACIAS A Todos Los Que Son Partes Tambien. En Febrero 2025 Tambien Pude Sacar Mi Pasaporte Y El De Mi Hijo Alexis Que Estaba Muy Feliz Fue Un Paso Importante Para Mi.
