Woven with Resilience

Not all superheroes wield flashy powers or live on the big screen. Sometimes, they appear as individuals like Ana Chavarin, whose quiet dedication and unwavering commitment to her family, community, and personal growth make her a true hero.

Originally from Mexico, Chavarin moved to Tucson in 2002 with educational and career aspirations—but raising her family came first.

“I had my first son when I was 15 and dedicated my time to being a mom, but in the back of my head I always knew I wanted to go back to school and finish my GED once my son was older,” says Chavarin.

However, life had other plans. Along the way she had three more children, and her education stayed on hold.

A few years later when she and her husband separated, Chavarin had to take on three jobs to provide for her children. “It was then when the path became clear,” says Chavarin. “I was on my own and needed to find a better way to support my children. I knew I needed to get a degree to make this happen.”

Through Pima Community College’s Adult Basic Education for College & Career program, she became the first person in her family to get a GED, followed by an associate’s degree. She then set her sights on a bachelor’s degree, all while juggling multiple part-time jobs as a community organizer.

Attending the University of Arizona seemed within reach, but paying for college was another story.

Fortunately, the community she had built at Pima helped her find the resources she needed, including the Earn to Learn savings account offered through Vantage West Credit Union. Eligible students deposit their own funds into a savings account each year, then receive an 8:1 match through combined university support and other public and philanthropic funding. Students also receive financial education, postsecondary education success coaching, business mentorship, and workforce development.

“Between Earn to Learn, what I received from federal financial aid, and other scholarships, I pretty much didn’t have to pay for college, which was a blessing,” says Chavarin. This freed up funds for her oldest son’s nursing education and helped support her daughter as she started college.

Bachelor’s degree in hand, Chavarin began working full-time as a community organizer. “I’ve always felt a calling to help other people,” she says, “especially after getting my degree—my home was safe, I was getting paid, and I had made a life for myself and my family. I felt a responsibility to help make those things a reality for the people around me.”

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“There was so much work to be done,” says Chavarin. “We were finding resources for people evicted from their homes, connecting starving families with food banks, hosting workshops about vaccinations, and more. I was working almost 24 hours a day. Everyone needed something.”

While the work was impactful, the sheer amount of work began to take a toll on Chavarin. “I’ve always wanted to be Wonder Woman,” she says, “but I had no idea how much work would be involved. I was constantly getting sick, and my blood pressure was always high. I realized that if I wanted to help other people, I needed to find a way to do so sustainably.”

When an opportunity at Local First Arizona—a nonprofit focused on inclusive community and economic development—arose, Chavarin seized it. She began outreach work with local businesses, helping address their challenges and guiding them toward resources.

“It was an opportunity to still help people and the community, but at a more manageable level so I could also take care of myself,” says Chavarin. “So, I took it.”

Soon after joining Local First Arizona, she took on the task of re-launching their Tucson Fuerza Local Acelerador de Negocios program, a six-month Spanish-language business accelerator program designed to teach underserved micro-entrepreneurs important basics for financial empowerment and business development.

“We go over everything from how to register an LLC, to how to set up a business bank account, to how to create a brand and market yourself,” says Chavarin.

Hosted at a Vantage West financial center, the program encourages participants to open a business banking account and save $1,000 over its duration, which is then matched dollar-for-dollar. Graduates also gain access to credit at fair market rates through several partnering financial institutions, even without prior credit history.

The impact of the Tucson Fuerza Local Acelerador de Negocios program extends beyond just economic benefits. It cultivates a sense of shared purpose and resilience among participants, fostering a supportive network that continues to thrive even after the program ends. Chavarin’s work ensures that these entrepreneurs are not only equipped with the skills to succeed in business but also feel empowered to become leaders within their own communities.

Chavarin’s dedication and passion for community empowerment have transformed her life and laid the groundwork for countless others to pursue their dreams.

And she’s not stopping there.

“My goal is to always reach higher,” says Chavarin. “And I’ve set the bar high for my children, too. I know that they can achieve everything I have achieved, and more.”

Ana Chavarin’s superhero story is woven not with the threads of fantasy but with those of everyday acts of kindness and resilience. She reminds us that true heroism lies in the strength of the human spirit and the impact of one person’s unwavering dedication to bettering the lives of others.