Communities Connected for Kids names Alex Munoz first vehicle scholarship recipient

January 11, 2019

Stuart -

Vero Beach resident Alejandro Munoz has the drive to finish his education and become a Registered Nurse. But, for now, his drive only has two wheels.

That’s about to change.

Munoz, 18, will trade his bicycle for a car next week, when he becomes the first recipient of a vehicle scholarship program designed to improve the education outcomes for teens and youth in the foster-care system.

The idea for the program grew from discussions earlier this year among members of a multi-agency task force that addresses and responds to key risk factors among children.

Munoz will receive his car – a high-quality, used car donated by Infiniti of Stuart – during a special cocktail reception made possible by the generous support of Calibert Home Loans, Rothenthal, Levy, Simon and Ryles, and Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd and Lloyd.

Munoz entered the foster-care system when he was 17 and got his GED through the Indian River County School District, said Chris Martinez, supervisor for the Road to Success program, which prepares teens and young adults for life after foster care.

He attends Treasure Coast Technical College and takes one IRSC class. His goal, Martinez said, is to become a registered nurse.

“This will allow him to attend IRSC at the main campus in Fort Pierce and expand the area in which he can seek employment,” said Martinez, who describes Munoz as resilient and goal oriented.

In fact, Munoz grew up chronically homeless before entering foster care.

“In the short time he was in foster care, he was able to earn his GED, obtain stable employment and has dedicated himself as a youth advocate on a statewide level,” Martinez said. “I know that this opportunity will help to ensure that his star will continue to shine bright.”