Nov. 25-Dec. 1
Women’s Intercultural Center
Advisory Board plans conference 1
Letter From the Executive Director “ You ’r e or der ’s already been taken care of.” the young clerk said. “The gentleman who was in front of you gave me enough to cover it.”
Mirtha is the primary caregiver of her mother. The only time she has for herself is when she’s at the Center giving her class.
The customer’s eyes brimmed with tears. This simple gesture, this random act of kindness, was the encouragement she needed that morning as she picked up the doughnuts to take home to her bedridden husband who was dying of cancer.
As she arrives everyone hugs her and lets her know that we share her pain. We let her know that we have her back, she is not alone. We notice her, we notice her pain and we will be here for her no matter what to help her get through any hardship that may result from the current situation.
Mother Teresa pointed out that the great tragedy of life is not hunger or disease, but feeling unnoticed. Everywhere, abandoned, isolated people ache with loneliness. We can hide behind a litany of excuses like those who swore, “I’ve got your back.” but disappeared when things got tough. Or we can do something. We don’t have to be like Mother Teresa traveling to remote villages to ease people’s pain. You can start with the people sitting across the dinner table from you. Or by standing by someone who’s all alone. Reach out to a single mother, a recent widower, a lonely teenager, a rejected friend. They don’t need challenges, they need comfort. By simply telling them you’re hurting with them, or by touching them with your tears, you’ll be sending the message: Somehow, we’ll make it through this...together.
It is the support of her students that have managed to keep her from feeling alone in her pain.
Our peer support network knows that in reaching out with heart, the miracle drug is hugging. So we encourage you to reach out to the person or persons you care about. Write them a letter or send them a card. Make a phone call. Visit the neighbor you’ve been meaning to see or that old friend you haven’t seen in years. Your small acts of kindness have greater impact than you believe. Every day that I’m at the Center I pray to God that whoever comes through those doors feeling lonely and afraid that He grant me His words to bring that person comfort, courage or calmness.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Tony Martinez Chair Eldelisa Nava Vice –Chair Petra Devora Treasurer Joanne Vullo Secretary
MEMBERS Victor Acosta Grace Jacquez-Chase
This is what WInC is about...teaching others how simple acts of kindness can help. Let’s start the domino effect and see how we can change our world by doing simple random acts of kindness.
303 Lincoln St * Po Box 2411 Anthony, NM 88021 575-882-5556 Fax: 866-285-7245 www.womensintrculturalcenter.org
That’s exactly what we do at WInC. Mirtha, Center participant and volunteer arts and crafts instructor, was feeling extremely depressed because her 95 year old mother had fallen. The fall landed her in the emergency room at the hospital. She currently cannot move and the doctors don’t have much hope for her full recovery.
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A place where learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.
In ensuring that the legacy of the women that have been so instrumental in the founding and continuation of the Center, Mary works continuously on recording it so she was very familiar with Dolores; although, they had never met. She welcomed her into the Center and told to feel free to give a tour to her friend. With a smiling face she said, “Thank you.” as she eagerly shared information about the construction of the Center and how she participated in it as she toured the building.
Dolores Jimision, former WInC participant and employee, had not visited the Center since 2002.
pursue my goals of earning my GED and eventually a degree. Thank you for your friendship and help.”
Dolores had been with WInC for five years and gained a great deal of experience by running the daycare, assisting with programs and working with the construction project. Her work with us helped her improve her confidence and her ability to communicate with others and hence giving her what she needed in order to move on.
As she walked through the door she had a huge smile on her face. She quickly approached our receptionist and asked if she could show the building to her friend. Before he could answer, she explained that she had been one of the women that contributed to building the Center.
The day she decided to leave the Center she said, “I feel that my experience will not count for much without an education, so I have decided to resign my position to
Mary Carter, WInC Executive Director, happened to be in the adjacent room when she overheard the conversation Dolores was having with Allen. She immediately left what she was doing and walked up to Dolores to introduce herself. 3
By the end of the tour, Dolores stopped by Mary’s office to thank her once again and to get an update on the Center’s operations. They talked about the evolution and the reasons those changes were made. They talked about what the Center meant to them personally. And as they were exchanging their goodbyes, Mary told her “I encourage you to share your story with us as it can serve as an inspiration to others.” Before Dolores could say anything her friend turned to her and said, “You should do it. She always talks about how being here was one of the best experiences of her life.” With a smile on her face, Dolores said she would think about it. We enjoyed her visit and will gladly welcome her again to the “place made out of compacted earth and tires” built on the dreams and wishes of many women like her.
While the girls were working on their projects and in conversation with Santa Fe, the parents decided they wanted to continue the workshops on a weekly basis. The idea is being spearheaded by Gabe Camacho, a single Dad with two young daughters and a son.
Santa Fe Zubia, WInC Intern and program designer of the Unseen Beauty Workshops, found some frames and mesh in the Center’s Thrift Store for this week’s project. She showed the young girls how to make a jewelry holder. Santa Fe’s workshops have been quite impactful for the girls and their parents. And as she gets ready to have her last workshop in December, the parents are now coming together to determine how to continue the workshops.
He said, “There is hardly anything for my daughters to do here in Anthony. I’ve been talking to the other parents and we feel like we can carry on the class. We each are willing to volunteer to teach the girls new projects. We talked to Santa Fe and she gave us a website where we could download project ideas that we can teach our children. Will you let us continue to hold workshops here?”
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Increase recycling/repurposing efforts while at the same time making it a habit within the family. Provide a positive venue for young girls to feel safe and unleash their creativity while being surrounded by the loving support of their parents. In c r e as e s e l f- e s te em a n d confidence in providing the girls the opportunity to create something they can be proud of and be able to share with family and friends.
There is so much positive impact that can come out of this!
Of course, the response is a resounding “YES!” After all, WInC is about providing the tools and resources for our participants to thrive. In this case, it’s the parents and their daughters. By simply leveraging our space and providing them access to the Honeycomb Thrift Store we can:
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A place where learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.
Black Friday… Cyber Monday… Give back on
A new holiday tradition was started, it's called Giving Tuesday. It is a specific day to help launch the holiday charitable giving season. The idea is to get people excited about giving in the same way they might get excited about buying a big-screen TV at a bargain price. Giving Tuesday is the brainchild of the 92nd Street Y, a nonprofit cultural and community center in New York. They hope that passion will be contagious at a time when charitable giving has been relatively flat and as nonprofits struggle to find new donors. "Donations certainly have been down for many nonprofit organizations across
the country and even more so in our area." says Mary Carter, Executive Director of WInC. “Many of our partners have closed down due to lack of funding. We are currently in survival mode and have been able to barely remain above water because of our diverse funding methods; going digital, aside from constantly recycling and repurposing items; however, we need help more than ever to continue our work. It is becoming more and more challenging to meet our operational costs and our ability to secure the people we need to operate the Center.” According to a new Blackbaud survey, almost half of existing donors asked about contributions said they plan to
give less or to fewer charities this holiday season. Only 13 percent said they plan to give more. Steve MacLaughlin, who runs the Idea Lab at Blackbaud, notes that the average age of the average donor these days is 65. That's one reason why WInC has begun to rely a lot on social media, such as Twitter and Facebook. "Part of what we are trying to understand is how to effectively and successfully tap into funding opportunities on social media such as Chase Community Giving and how to engage younger donors," Mary says, adding that those donors generally want to be more actively involved in the causes they support.
It has been more than 30 years since the first cases of AIDS were reported in the U.S. HIV is still a reality for more than a million Americans. Nearly one of every five people living with HIV in the U.S. doesn’t know it.
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Through Facing AIDS, you can help reduce stigma and promote HIV testing by putting a face to AIDS for World AIDS Day (December 1) and beyond. Log on to http://aids.gov/news-and-events/ awareness-days/world-aids-day/ to learn how YOU as an as an individual or a group can get involved in Facing AIDS.
Calling all participants, volunteers, supporters, donors, friends! We’ve entered The Big Reboot for an opportunity to win a $10,000 technology makeover from Toshiba, Intel and Staples. Your vote helps our chances. Plus, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a free Satellite U845 Ultrabook inspired by Intel for yourself just for voting or commenting. Voting ends on Christmas Day. ™
See our story and vote for us at www.TheBigReboot.biz/entries/868? section=entry-detail 6
for American Women and Politics, have been held in states and regions around the U.S. since its inception in New Jersey in 1998. Women continue to be underrepresented in policymaking bodies, despite the fact that women’s voices are essential to fair, just, and thoughtful policy decisions that affect us all. The Ready to Run conference is just one step toward combating this trend. For more information about Ready to Run campaign training for women, please visit the following website: http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/ education_training/ReadytoRun/ index.php.
The newly formed Advisory Committee held its first meeting for the first annual Ready to Run Conference In attendance were Bonnie Burn, President of the League of Women Voters of Greater Las Cruces; Sharon Thomas, Mayor Pro-Tem of the City of Las Cruces; Ellen Wedum, former NM State Senate Candidate; Cheryl Frank, campaign manager; Mary Carter, Executive Director of the Women’s Intercultural Center; and Sara Bartlett Large,
Women’s Intercultural Center Intern and Ready to Run Coordinator. The Advisory Committee was formed to plan the Ready to Run Conference, which is a non-partisan conference designed to prepare women to organize campaigns and run for political office in our region. Although this will be the first Ready to Run conference in our region, successful Ready to Run Conferences, supported by the Center
In the meeting, the committee chose the date of April 5 and 6 to hold the Conference and agreed that it will be held at the Women’s Intercultural Center. Possible session topics and speakers were also discussed and contacts shared. We’re looking forward to a successful and meaningful conference in April! If you are interested in joining our Advisory Board or discuss the possibility of presenting at the conference, please contact Sara via email at sbartlett1118@gmail.com.
Add your story! Write a review of WInC community. Helping women empower themselves with skills which enable them to support and enhance their families is an everyday affair at the Center. Operated with sincere caring and concern, I have witnessed women transform before my eyes!! Mary Carter, director, has an authentic passion for helping others and it is exemplified through the participants, volunteers, and donors. I feel embraced with hope and love every time I walk through the doors. This Center epitomizes what helping one another is truly about. I am so grateful to be a part of such an endeavor. Grace Jacquez-Chase, WInC Board Member
Participants, volunteers, supporters, donors and partners: Take 2 minutes to review us and help us be recognized as an outstanding nonprofit in the 2012 Greatnonprofits TopRated Awards at: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/write/ womens-intercultural-center-inc/campaign:top-rated-awards. See the most recent reviews below: “WInC has always helped me they are so kind and always with a smile.” - Ramona Contreras from NM DVR The Women's Intercultural Center is a blessing to the 7
What we can do with scraps of material. We put everything YOU donate to good use.
WOMEN
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A place where learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.
Unseen Beauty Workshop for preteens & teens
Upcoming Events
When: Tuesday, Nov. 27 from 4:30 to 6:30pm.
Please feel free to share event information with people who you feel will benefit from our services, workshops, trainings and special events. For additional information please contact us at 575-882-5556 or the contact number listed next to the event announcement.
Contact: Receptionist Fee: 2 nonperishable food items / thrift store donation
Social Security Disability Assistance
End of Semester Celebration: Participants will display their work. Bring your favorite dish to share with your family and peers.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 4
When: Thursday, Dec. 14 from 10:30am to 1:30pm
Contact: Homero Avalos, Ph.D. to schedule a free consultation at 915-691-5555.
Contact: Receptionist Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Christmas Celebration: Join us in celebrating the spirit of the season. Bring your favorite dish to share with your peers.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 8:30am to 5pm
When: Thursday, Dec. 20 from 11am to 1:30pm Contact: Receptionist
Contact: Ramona Contreras to schedule an appointment at 575524-6135 or via email ramonac@state.nm.us.
Trauma Healing Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP): The workshop will focus on building a sense of security & trust, dealing with memories of loss & reconnect with the community & rebuilding trust.
Medicare Enrollment: Enroll & review your Medicare Advantage Plan for 2013.
When: Saturday, Sunday & Monday, Jan. 1921
When: Thursday, Dec. 6 from 10:30am to 4pm
Contact: Vickie Aldrich at 575-5419093 or via email at mathstar@zianet.com
Contact: Irene Hernandez Sonora at 915-833-7065
Fee: $50 ($10 deposit and registration due on Dec. 10th)
Karate Classes for children 6 years old & up.
Interested in teaching a class, scheduling a workshop, presentation or training at WInC?
When: Saturday, Dec. 8 from 11am to 12pm Contact: Louie Alfaro at 915319-4096
We are currently working our Winter Semester and are recruiting Volunteer Instructors to teach in their areas of expertise. Contact Ilse Arrieta, Program Coordinator at 575-882-5556 or via email at iarrieta@qwestoffice.net
Fee: $25/month
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Thank you! faith l divine nature l individual worth l knowledge l choice & accountability l good works l integrity l virtue Grace Jacquez-Chase for mobilizing her friends and family to donate to the Center’s Thrift Store. Cecilia Jacquez for her recent item donations to the Center’s Thrift Store.
Albuquerque Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends for their cash donation and continuous support of our work!
WOMEN
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A place where learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.
Women’s Intercultural Center WHERE IT STARTS 303 Lincoln Street / PO Box 2411 Anthony, NM 88021 575-882-5556 www.womensinterculturalcenter.org 11