Sa 1967, while working for the Head Start program, An Dr. Arnold wrote a grant proposal and submitted it to the Tucson War on Poverty Program, which was funded by grants initiated by the Kennedy/Johnson administration. The grant was funded at $19,000 and PPEP was born. An Dr. Arnold purchased a 1957, 48-paisinéirí, school bus and equipped it with educational books and supplies. He painted it green and named it “La Tortuga.” He was the driver, mechanic and school teacher, all rolled into one. Ag cónaí i Meicsiceo, he knew first-hand what it was like to live in an unfamiliar society with a different language and culture. So, he began teaching English and basic education, in his portable classroom, to the same Bracero farm-workers he had ministered to in the past, helping them prepare for life in America, by gaining a practical education. Hence, “Portable, Practical Educational Preparation.”
From its humble beginnings, PPEP grew and prospered and today it boasts of over 500 employees, making it one of the top 100 Employers in Arizona. La Tortuga’s legacy lives on and Doctor John David Arnold, PPEP’s CEO, continues to advocate for the poor and neglected citizens of not only Arizona, but the world. Every service PPEP has provided to the over 4,000,000 people over the past 40+ bliana, has been driven by Doctor Arnold’s dedication and commitment to the cause. See the History page and Programs pages for more details on PPEP’s successes.
An Dr. Rugadh John David Arnold i 'Pennsylvania Ollainnis Tír' ar fheirm bheag atá suite in aice le Doylestown i Bucks Chontae. Bhí a athair nach maireann a dátaí ó na luath-1600 ar theaghlaigh ina scríbhneoir agus aireagóir, a scríobh an chéad treoir turasóireachta is mótarfheithicil de Meicsiceo do Triple A agus Irisí Meicnic Coitianta sna 1950í. Bhí a mháthair ina ealaíontóir, dealbhóir, agus úinéir an ghnó micrea de Gift Shop Grayce i Patagonia, Arizona dtí aois 97. An Dr. Tá beirt deirfiúr Arnold, Janie & Elaine. An Dr. Arnold ina cónaitheoir Arizona feadh níos mó ná cúig bliain agus faoi láthair cónaí i Tucson agus táirgeadh araon, Arizona. An Dr. Is Arnold tuismitheoir amháin le triúr iníonacha agus leasmhac amháin; Loree, Renato, (a rugadh i Líoma, Peiriú) CHASKA, 20 agus Tika, 16. Gach ceithre go bhfuil i láthair agus barr feabhais i scoileanna cairt traidisiúnta agus poiblí. An Dr. Ar athraíodh a ionad Arnold go Guadalajara, Meicsiceo lena theaghlach nuair a bhí sé sé bliana d'aois, agus d'fhreastail scoil tosaigh ag Colegio Cervantes. Bhog sé go dtí Nogales, Arizona tar éis cúig bliana i Guadalajara. A chlann athraíodh a ionad ansin go dtí an taobh ó dheas thart ar Tucson ar 1958 nuair a d'fhreastail sé ar Wakefield Ard Sóisearach agus Pueblo Ard Scoileanna. Ina dhiaidh sin, An Dr. Arnold céim amach ó Ollscoil Arizona, le Céim Bhaitsiléara i Spáinnis agus Socheolaíocht, dó Céim Mháistreachta i Riarachán agus Oideachas, (M. Agus) le Ph.D. sna réimsí céanna. Ag aois 12, mar gheall ar labhair sé Spáinnis Tugadh cuireadh dó ag a séipéal aireacht bus chun dul go dtí na campaí farmworker Bracero mar ateangaire. Ag aois 16, thiomáin sé a bus eaglais féin agus bhunaigh an aireachtaí imirceacha i Santa Cruz Ghleann, Rillito, agus MARANA, Arizona. Ag aois 18, oirníodh é agus pastored an Chéad Deiscirt Baptist Church i Catalina, Arizona. Bhí sé teagaisc agus gairme oiliúint i scoileanna príobháideacha áit eagraigh sé an Arizona Neamhspleách High School Cumann Lúthchleas. A cispheile, peile, foirne rianú agus baseball ngach craobhcomórtas stát a bhuaigh i 1966.
PPEP’S Mission is “Dedicated to improving the quality of rural life.”
For every dollar invested in PPEP, whether it is from a government grant or from donors like you, 85% goes directly to the consumer or participant in the program; PPEP spends only 15% on administrative costs. Those dollars spent on PPEP consumers result in: Income from wages and new businesses’ profits, tax credits to local businesses, savings to government programs and more money spent in the local economy.
PORTABLE – Easily carried or moved from place to place where the people live and work.
PRACTICAL – Concerned with matters of fact and real life experience, not theory; and good at managing matters and dealing with problems or difficulties leading to self-sufficiency.
EDUCATIONAL – The work or planning involved in making somebody ready or in putting something together in advance. Empowerment to succeed and accept life’s challenges.
PREPARATION – The work or planning involved in making somebody ready or in putting something together in advance.
Inaistrithe, Practical, Educational Preparation: Providing education, training and practical life skills to empower people, so that they can take the knowledge and skills acquired with them, wherever they go, and deal with every-day problems and challenges, as they occur. PPEP helps people learn to be more self-sufficient and successful and to help their community make progress.
It connects when dedicated professional staff connect with its rural/farm worker clients and provide opportunities to achieve upward mobility. PPEP provides creativity, innovation, and forward thinking in its approach to alleviate poverty.