From Struggles to Sirens: Yareli’s Comeback Story
“It takes more than water to stop a fire,” Yareli declared with a spark in her eye, adjusting both her graduation cap and the sparkling tiara attached underneath it. Her cap was a tribute to her mother: Para mi madre que vino sin nada y me lo dio todo. To my mother who came with nothing and gave me everything.
The phrase was inspired by a recent conversation with a Chico firefighter—a fitting metaphor for the path she’s walked. Over the last year, Yareli developed a bond with the local firefighters who often visited La Vista Verde, the CHIP-owned Chico apartment community where she grew up. The friendship came full circle when they honored her at her Chico High School graduation, flashing lights and sirens as her name rang out.
Like many graduates, Yareli stood at the bittersweet crossroads of the future and the past. But her journey was anything but typical. Just a few years ago, she was skipping school nearly every day, even blocking the school’s number from her mother’s phone to avoid getting caught.
“It was bad,” she admits. “I wish I could go back and tell myself: do what everyone’s telling you to do.”
After two years of chronic absences, she transferred to Fairview High School, separated from her circle of friends at Chico High. It could’ve been a breaking point. But thanks to the support of her teacher, Mr. Kessler, who championed her potential, and the unexpected encouragement she found at Fairview, the tide began to turn.
Yareli was surprised by how welcome she felt at her new school. Fairview’s emphasis on community—through multicultural nights and relationship-building—resonated deeply.
“It was a wake-up call. They believe that you should focus on taking care of business,” she says. “You can have fun, but you have to focus on what you came to do.”
With renewed purpose, she took on an extra class in addition to her seven regular ones, determined to return to Chico High.
“I was literally thinking about dropping out if I wasn’t allowed back,” she admits.
Fortunately, she made it—and thrived. She credits her turnaround to a strong web of support: her teachers, her boyfriend, her friends, her mother, and Misty, the property manager at La Vista Verde.
She also gives high praise to CHIP’s Resident Services department for creating a nurturing environment:
“CHIP gives kids something to do, like the [Resident Services] events or Promotores, especially in the summer. Instead of running around the complex, they have somewhere to go and something productive to do.”
To the donors and supporters who make CHIP’s work possible, Yareli shares heartfelt appreciation—for the programs, the place she calls home, and the maintenance team that makes it all feel safe and welcoming.
“The CHIP [staff] are so nice and keep everything maintained. They’re easy to talk to and really accepting.”
As for the road ahead, Yareli enrolled in Butte College and plans to eventually transfer to San Jose State University. Her dream? To become an ultrasound technician—an ambition sparked by caring for younger children in her community.
“I wasn’t born with money,” she says, “but I’m doing what I can. I want to make my mom proud. I want to make my future kids proud. Now, I’m just proud of myself for making it this far.”
