MORENO VALLEY>> On Thursday, April 27, Moreno Valley City Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez recently honored McDonald’s employee and Moreno Valley resident Alex Guerrero for earning his high school diploma through McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity program.
“Education is crucial to success, both personal and professional,” Mayor Gutierrez said at a special graduation celebration. “Through the Archways to Opportunity program, McDonald’s has created a wonderful model for education and workforce development which demonstrates its commitment to its employees and the communities they serve.”
Since 2015, McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity program has assisted nearly 17,000 restaurant employees across the country achieve their educational goals of pursuing a high school diploma or college degree and learning English. The company has also provided more than $11 million in tuition assistance for eligible employees.
“McDonald's is all I know. I started working here at 17, but never got my diploma. I got my high school diploma while I worked full-time,” said Guerrero, who now works as a department manager. “I did it for my six-year-old daughter to show her it’s better late than never and you can do anything.”
Guerrero, who is currently enrolled in college, is pursuing a degree in business management.