Maria Alicia carried the invisible weight of years of wounds and trauma, including physical and psychological abuse. Although she had broken free, the past continued to affect her through sudden mood swings and lingering sadness over past decisions. She is a mother of five children, two of whom no longer live with her. She carried guilt for the trauma her older children endured and often felt that different choices could have changed their lives.

Lacking the opportunity to go to school and not knowing how to read or write added to her insecurity, but she had always been enterprising, working in multiple ways to support her family. When she discovered Tabitha Reach, she found the bridge she needed. Here, she not only learned a new skill but also found an opportunity to redefine her identity. Alicia is dedicated, detail-oriented, and patient in her work, showing her desire to improve constantly. Today, she no longer sees her hands as tools for survival but as the engine of her economic independence.