KINGSVILLE (Sept. 4, 2026) —Texas A&M University-Kingsville Workforce Development partnered with Hacienda Ford of Kingsville to host Ford’s Drive for Your Community event benefitting the Javelina Skilled Trades Academy (JSTA) on Friday, Sept. 4 at the Javelina Stadium Parking lot.
Through Drive for Your Community, Ford donated $30 to the JSTA for every test drive taken, potentially earning up to $6,000 per event. Ford hosts the event annually and chooses a different organization each year.
“Ford does this here every year, but they switch each year, and we were lucky enough to be picked this year,” JSTA director Allen Law said. “For everybody who comes out and drives, Ford will donate money to us, and that can add up to $6,000, which is a great benefit to our program. Hopefully, some student scholarships will come out of it, which would help our students.”
Law further explained how the event proceeds would benefit the students and what he hopes will result from this partnership.
“Students start by joining us. Workforce Solutions or Workforce Development will help them if they need it financially, depending on their needs,” Law said. “So, either they pay, or we provide them with a scholarship. Hopefully, earning money from this event will help.”
Law said the JSTA currently offers classes in carpentry, electrical, HVAC, and pipefitting, and hopes to have more added in January.
All participants interested in test-driving a Ford had to be at least 18 years of age, provide proof of car insurance and have a valid driver's license. Once signed up, participants got to pick the model car of their choice and take a test drive around the parking lot.
Once students completed their test drives, they were provided with fresh hot dogs and cold water while they learned about career opportunities and options from Upskill Coastal Bend navigator Lyza Castillo. She explained how they helped their clients with starting multiple career processes that some may find difficult to navigate.
“If anybody wants to get a trade skill, a GED, wants to go back to college and doesn’t know how to begin that process, we help them with that,” Castillo said. “All our services are free; we are completely grant-funded.”
The event supports Ford’s motto “Building Community Together” by focusing on surrounding schools, universities and trades to provide opportunities for those interested. Vanessa Garcia, Ford Engagement and Experience Manager, shared how these events get planned and started up.
“Ford wants to be involved in the community, so they reach out to all their dealerships,” Garcia said. “We here at Hacienda Kingsville have a good partnership with the university. So, we reach out, see who needs help, and then set up the event,”