Would you consider donating to help us achieve our student mission?

It is a great pleasure to write to the amazing people reading this request. My name is Elena Zabala, owner of Elena Zabala Wellness Institute; a Florida state licensed institute.  I will get straight to the point to let you know that I am asking for funding for scholarships for some great people that I have encountered who wish to come to my new institute but cannot get funding for various reasons.  I am trying every avenue that I can to get assistance for these amazing individuals.  This is exactly what brings me here in front of you today.

MY STORY
From the time I was a little girl, I knew I was destined to be a caregiver of some kind.  Once I got older, I had entered in the field of beauty and health. I worked for many companies and then started to develop my own techniques that really made a difference in the health and lives of those who I cared for. I was then fortunate enough to start my own spa.  Once I accomplished that, my dream was evident.  I knew that I should start my own institute to teach what I love to do.  My current clients were a part of this journey and did not even know it.  They help make this possible because for the past 15 years, I have saved the majority of my gratuity to establish this great institute which was just approved early 2015. Of course, I cannot forget my number one fan, my husband, who has been by my side the entire time.  He has been filled with positive words of encouragement and support in every way possible.  This venture has changed my life and I am thrilled to now be able to assist others who share the same passion and have the same great experience as I have had for decades in this industry. I am elated to be a part of my students’ professional journey as I had been mentored and supported by others in the industry.  I guess it is fair to say that it is my way of giving back.

MY FATHER
My father has impacted my life beyond words.  In 2013 while I was preparing to open my institute, I was hit with a major blow in my life when he passed away.  He always knew and said that I am destined for great things.  Even though he suffered from Dementia, he still remembered my hard working efforts to start my institute and would frequently ask me.  He encouraged me in many ways which has made me who I am today.  I finally achieved my dream to open my own state licensed institute but unfortunately he was not here to see it come to fruition.  Therefore, this has prompted me to call this scholarship the ENRIQUE SANTIAGO SCHOLARSHIP FUND in his honor.

OBSTACLES
Many individuals who want a career change or are just starting their careers in this field are coming to our institute yet their dreams are stopped short because they are not able to obtain funding. Banks are not giving loans like before especially if the individual does not have collateral or credit history.  Some cannot get financing because when applying for loans, they are denied due to their credit if they have suffered during the economic crash in which they had lost their homes, lost their jobs, divorce, car accidents, and countless other reasons for being turned down for things that have affected their credit.   Financial Aid is not available for those to attend since the institute is new and as a requiriment to qualify we need to have at least 9000 hrs of clock hours which means at least 15 students, the cost alone is around 35,000 in paper work and fees. It is breaking my heart to see these people so close to their dream and the profession that they want yet cannot pay for their tuition.
For over 34 years in this profession, I have spent countless hours listening to the dreams of women and men. Some had great success, but some have not because of the simple reason of not knowing where to turn to accomplish those dreams and desires or because of self-doubt. I have many individuals now standing before me that I wish to assist, but I cannot do it by myself. I need your support.  I will be there for them and make their visions a reality for a career that is not only beneficial professionally and financially yet is also a very spiritual healing type of industry.

YOUR ASSISTANCE
I am asking for you to assist with helping to fund the first two Enrique Santiago Scholarships for those who wish to attend yet are financially challenged.  Hopefully, we will receive more than what we are asking so we can issue as many scholarships as possible. The tuition for the Massage Therapy Program is $10,900usd and the Esthetician Program is $7,040usd.

MY PROMISE TO YOU
I have sponsored many things in my time and never got the opportunity to know what exactly happened with my contribution.  Therefore, I would like to extend the courtesy to those who help to fund these scholarships to keep you informed with the progress of the recipients.  We will have a page on our website dedicated to provide updates about the recipient’s progress.  We would love to list the names of those who assisted which, of course, is optional.  We are open to any other requests as well for your support.  Please contribute what you can because every dollar counts.  I would like to thank you in advance for joining with me to honor my father’s memory and simultaneously help change the lives of the recipients of the
Enrique Santiago Scholarship Fund.