Apr. 7-13
Women’s Intercultural Center
Conference was informative & exciting!
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Letter From the Executive Director into the last frontier beyond their comfort zone to break their negative cycle of life—for them to become the stakeholders of their own lives.
Have you ever met someone who stays just where they got in and never moves? They are part of a group of people that play it safe by settling for a second rate life and expect everyone else to do the same. At WInC, we work with our participants to embrace life, to pursue it, to create the life they want for themselves and their families!
How do we do we do it? We created an environment that is appealing, nurturing and delightful for our participants. In having a positive environment we are able to influence the energy, mood, creativity and their personal success . Our environment is also enhanced and brightened by our participants through the floral arrangements they bring, the arts and crafts they display, the paintings they hang on our walls, the food that they share and most importantly the embrace of each other’s quirky personalities.
We help them learn how to tame a difficult week by having them look at the details around them; the kindness of a stranger, the mystery of a romance, the questions of a child, the commitment of a spouse, the majesty of a sunrise, the beauty of a well timed touch; patience for lack of understanding of what’s going on in their lives. We teach them to be realistic. We teach them that every bump in the road produces opportunities that challenge, change, or strengthen us. We encourage them to leave the problems they cannot solve to a higher power. We teach them that there’s no need for them to carry that extra baggage that can weigh them down and prevent them from truly embracing their lives. Our peer support network helps them triumph over trials and optimize their opportunities.
Actively Hugging Life,
We encourage them to embrace every part of their lives...to hug the day with all that their soul can offer. To push further
Having a Meeting ■ Business Training Seminar ■ Corporate Banquet ■ Special Event ■ Dinner Party ■ Fundraiser ■ Gala ■ Private Reception ■ Wedding?
Rent our facilities Participants, Volunteers, Donors & Nonprofits receive a special rate. For more information call 575-882-5556 or download rental information by visiting http://www.scribd.com/doc/123357631/WInC-Facility-Usage-Request-Rental-Agreement.
WOMEN
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A place where learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.
Ron Finley, a guerrilla gardener in South Central L.A., said "A funny thing about sustainability--you gotta sustain it. Free is not sustainable." The Women’s Intercultural Center (WInC) can't be sustainable without some type of payment, barter, or exchange. This is the primary reason we developed the "Simple Ways to Help WInC" to ensure that our participants, volunteers, supporters, and partners no matter their economic status could invest in our work. Their investment help us build capacity eventually leading the path for us to become self-sufficient. YOU can help sustain WInC by making a one time or monthly donation online at: https:// womensinterculturalcenter.fasttransact.net/Web/PaymentCodePayment.aspx or mail it to PO Box 2411, Anthony, NM 88021 or select one of the many options listed under Simple Ways to Help WInC by visiting http://www.womensinterculturalcenter.org/donate.Â
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WOMEN
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A place where learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.
MLP History Timeline
The Media Literacy Project (MLP) featured a photo of their participation in the Women Building Community (WBC) Initiative funded by the NM Community Foundation , W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Tides Foundation and co-led by Young Women United and the Women’s Intercultural Center (WInC). This photo was used as part of the 20 year history timeline for 2010 featuring a WBC gathering hosted by WInC. To view MLP’s 20 year timeline visit: http:// medialiteracyproject.org/mlp-history-timeline. 5
The Women’s Intercultural Center (WInC) housed Food Corps volunteers who were participating in the La Semilla Food Summit Dig In! three day event. Early Sunday morning, our commercial kitchen was filled with Food Corp volunteers wearing yellow La Semilla Food Center shirts in preparation for the Dig In event’s morning cooking class.
2013 District Convention Bud Hines, former WInC Dance Instructor, first approached us about hosting the 2013 District Convention of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. We provided him the information we needed in order to slate the event in our calendar.
Teachers from all over the region came to participate in the class. The students prepared a healthy meal for over 80 people that gathered in the Center’s gallery and patio. After an amazing lunch, people selected a variety of breakout sessions in the various rooms of the Center.
When we learned that the President of the Women’s Auxiliary, Yolanda Padilla, was a former WInC participant; we were even more committed to providing her as much assistance as she needed to make the District Convention a success. We worked closely with Yolanda in setting up meetings with our caterer of choice and making determinations on the event set up and special needs.
The amazing educational experience that took place included garden, farm, and cooking workshops led by the Food Corps volunteers. Jacob, Food Corp Volunteer and WInC Capoeira Instructor, led the garden workshop in coordination with our in-house resident and Food Corp volunteer Liz. They shared their best practices in relation to home gardening from their experience teaching gardening to elementary school students. Participants really enjoyed the workshop and shared a good laugh from some of the stories they shared.
She and her team of volunteers took over our gallery a day before the event to decorate it with their 1950’s theme. The two day event was a great success! The convention participants really enjoyed the keynote speaker, the food and the gathering space. They enjoyed the space so much that they asked our Executive Director, Mary Carter, to share the story of WInC. A story, Mary loves to tell.
Another popular workshop was a cooking class which was led by a couple that really managed to engage their participants in the process of healthy cooking.
Yolanda was brought to tears of gratefulness when at the end of the convention the group decided to give a $200 donation to the Center in support of our work. A check they so graciously presented to Mary after her presentation.
Some summit participants had difficulty in deciding which workshops to participate in that they were like social butterflies making stops in every class. WInC really enjoyed kicking off the summit at our Center.
WOMEN
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A place where learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.
Featuring Chefs:
Omar Burciaga & Omar Carranza THE
SPOT Special Sunday Brunch
Sunday, April 21, 2013 @ 10:30am & 12:30pm Enjoy a delectable meal while supporting WInC. Join us for the The Spot's Special Sunday Brunch seatings start at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased online at http://thespotspecialsundaybrunch.eventbrite.com/# or at the Center for $14.99 for adults and $7.99 for children. WInC participants get a $4 discount by showing their membership I.D.s
Women’s Intercultural Center * 303 Lincoln Street, Anthony, NM 88032 575-882-5556 * www.womensinterculturalcenter.org
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Small strides made at Anthony, N.M., rest area since 2010 slaying By Diana Alba Soular / dalba@lcsun-news.com Posted: 04/06/2013 07:30:59 PM MDT
ANTHONY, N.M. — A cascade of plastic flowers and a wooden cross, engraved with a small saxophone and bearing the name "Adam," somberly remind passer-bys at the Anthony, N.M., rest stop of the young man whose life ended there. The memorial often catches the attention of curious Interstate 10 travelers who've stopped at the facility. But most visitors are unlikely to realize that the display also marks the site of a brutal, senseless, random murder. Twenty-year-old Adam Espinoza was shot and killed and robbed there one night in January 2010 after pulling into the rest stop during a trip from Texas to California. The killers then stuffed his body in the trunk of his car and set the vehicle aflame in an arroyo several miles away. The brutality of the crime shocked the community. It also called into question the security level of the rest area and affiliated welcome center, the first greeting point for travelers as they enter New Mexico. Authorities said at the time that the incident, while tragic, was also isolated. Still, some truck drivers soon stepped forward, saying for years they tended to avoid stopping in the Anthony-Vado area over concerns about crime. Three years after Espinoza's murder, state officials pointed to a small step in improving security at the Anthony rest stop. The New Mexico Department of Transportation, which is responsible
for rest stops, installed new lighting Anthony rest stop, Chen said. at the facility, said Bridget Spedalieri, "In the daytime, usually the welcome spokeswoman for the agency. center is safe because they have an She said the agency understands "that employee working there," he said. safety is a priority and will take the That could be improved upon with necessary steps to provide a safe periodic patrols by law enforcement, environment." Cheng said. "The department is currently enhanc- "If I stop here, I like to see a police ing the lighting at the Anthony, N.M., car here, especially on the border," he said. "If you see police near here, the Visitor Center and the Lordsburg Visitor Center," said Spedalieri, also feeling is different." referring to a center on I-10 in west The main patrol responsibility for the New Mexico. Anthony rest area falls to the New Mexico State Police, whose Anthony, N.M., City Trustee Betty Gonzalez said the facility does seem jurisdiction covers interstate highways. dark at night from the viewpoint of the interstate. Capt. Rich Libicer of the Las Crucesbased State Police office said the "As I come back from El Paso at night, I notice the lighting," she said. agency hasn't done any special patrol projects in response to the Espinoza "We do go to Texas to see our daughter, and those (rest stops) are all killing. Still, the rest-area crime very lit up. This one doesn't seem to hasn't been forgotten by officers, he said. be that well-lit." No way to know Friday afternoon, Desheng Chen of New Orleans stopped at the Anthony "Everybody remembers what rest area, taking a break on his trip to happened there; if they get an opportunity to go through there, they Arizona. He strolled the parking lot do," he said. and picnic area taking photos, including some of Espinoza's Libicer said there haven't been any memorial. major incidents since the 2010 slaying. After hearing about the murder that happened at the site, Chen said, as a traveler passing through, it's difficult Asked if the DoĂąa Ana County Sheriff's Department has done to know whether a particular place anything different since Espinoza's has had problems with crime. death, spokeswoman Kelly Jameson Travelers rely on government officials to make sure public facilities are noted that the rest stop is mainly under the purview of the state police. safe, he said. The visitor center is one boon at the
WOMEN
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A place where learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.
"It's set up nice; it looks nice," he said. "It just felt safer." Brown said the fact that it was daylight and that several other people were there also adds to that sense. Still, Brown said he does his best to keep an eye out for potential trouble wherever he is, and, if someone seems out of place, he'll just leave.
A memorial for Adam Espinoza has been placed at the Anthony, N.M. rest area where Espinoza
"But it is in our area, and we do patrol there frequently at night," Jameson said. "Aside from that, there isn't anything in particular we have done since that incident." Throughout Friday afternoon, there was a steady stream of vehicles at the site. As many as half a dozen vehicles were parked in the lot at any given time. A few families with children were seen, as were lone travelers. About a dozen light posts were seen on the outskirts of the parking lot, which accommodates both RVs and passenger cars. Christian Brown of Austin, Texas, said it was the second time he'd stopped at the Anthony, N.M., rest area. He'd been there a year ago, also during daylight hours, while on another trip. Typically, he doesn't pull over at rest areas, but he liked the feel of the Anthony facility because it's set back off the interstate.
Local strides While the features of the rest stop itself play a role in boosting safety for visitors, local officials said public safety strides that have been made locally because of Anthony, N.M.'s decision to incorporate can't help but improve safety at the nearby rest area.
Teresa, she said. Also, the city has boosted the number of street lights from 40 at the time of incorporation to 80 now, Gonzalez said. The city's small police force has boosted the visibility of law enforcement, said Mary Carter, executive director of the nonprofit Women's Intercultural Center in Anthony, N.M. She said that seems to be helping reduce gang activity.
Police are "more active, and they're out in the community, and they can see them," she said. Also, about two years ago, about 10 people suspected to have been behind a string of robberies was arrested, and that helped, Carter The vote to incorporate happened the said. Also, the city's youth have a same month Espinoza was killed. broader range of positive activities, Reasons often cited by residents who which has the end effect of deterring favored incorporating were that they delinquency, she said. were tired of crime and gang activity in the city and upset by a lack of "There are a lot of different things attention from Do単a Ana County coming into play that are really government. occupying our youth," she said. Since January 2010, the city has hired five police officers, which boosted the visibility of law enforcement, Gonalez said. And the gang presence is not as strong as it once was, she said.
Gonzalez noted that the Anthony, N.M., rest area isn't within the city's incorporated boundaries. The 2010 killing had an impact, though, and the community is looking toward a brighter future, she said.
"There's still some gang activity, but now that we have our little police force, at least they're out there," she said.
"It was so tragic, and it certainly brought a bad name to our little community," she said. "Overall, hopefully those days are gone."
It also has helped, Gonzalez said, that the county sheriff's department Diana Alba Soular can be reached at (575) 541-5443; follow her on has maintained its substation in Anthony and has retained deputies in Twitter @AlbaSoular the area. Eventually, the county is likely to move that facility to Santa 9
What others say about us...
It has been an honor and a joy getting to know the Women's Intercultural Center -- I wish you the best as you begin your work. I'll keep the Center, your staff and all of the women you work with in my prayers. Peace. ~Ann Haubrich
I am kind to others because I was taught by my parents that it was the best thing I could do to create a better world. The more people that I am kind to, the better the chance that it will spread beyond me. I teach that to WInC participants, and have an amazing opportunity to help others understand how being kind to others will assist in solving many of our world's issues, one small act at a time. ~ Mary Carter, WInC Executive Director
WInC has always been effective in creating specific programming based on the need of the community and transferring successful programs over to other organizations whose missions are more appropriate to continue our work. One of the members of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces is very familiar with the Center’s Small Business Development Academy and its success. She asked our Executive Director, Mary Carter, to present to their Economic Development Committee to potentially partner as the committee is looking for a project to launch. Mary provided a brief summary of the academy, shared the curriculum and the benefits of the Chamber taking on the program. One of the members of the committee suggested that if they were to take it on, she would prefer that they offer it in the evenings instead of Saturdays. This was an idea that Mary really liked and agreed with. The other was to make individualized presentations of each section to recruit people to enroll in the academy, something Mary and one of the other members did not agree would be effective .
Our emergency food bank is sustained by the generosity of the community and our various micro-enterprises that donate canned goods to maintain it. It is a rare time when we are able to distribute fresh fruits and vegetables. We are thankful to the Anthony Youth Farm for their donations. This past week they donated 3 large bags of lettuce to our Emergency Food Pantry! Their donation was prepared for distribution! We are proud that they grow local and give so generously to the community. Thank you for helping us feed the families in need residing in Southern NM and West TX! Through one of our former participants, we partnered with the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary in hosting their 2013 Spring Convention. In doing so, they became donors. The convention participants voted to donate $200 to the Center. Additionally, many of the their convention participants will be following up with us as they do their spring cleaning to donate to the Center. We look forward to working together for years to come on projects both beneficial for the American Legion as well as for WInC and the communities we serve. Thank you to all of our anonymous donors that drop off their donations at our door! Your donated items are always put to good use.
WOMEN
We have discovered that keeping a co-hort of 20 through the entire 12 weeks helps the participants bond and hence they work together long after the academy has ended. In essence our vision was to have the Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces take on the Academy and have their members lead the classes based on their respective fields (i.e. accountant teaching accounting workshop, attorney teaching the law workshop, etc.). While the meeting was a successful exchange and the Chamber wanted to keep our curriculum, a decision was not made. The reality is that more and more people are coming to us to continue the Academy and whether we partner or not, it is a program that works and has created a variety of micro-enterprises. In changing the venue we were looking to expand it further to create and/or expand small businesses in the region. We shall move forward and continue the program as part of our programming in the summer or the fall.
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A place where learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.
Arreola's General Mechanic will provide services at WInC from Thursday through Saturday and Sunday by appointment only. Get your general mechanic services done by certified automotive technicians while supporting the operations of WInC. For more info contact Jesus @ 915-731-4144.
Help Educate, Empower & Engage Women Through Recycling Time to spring clean closets, desks, and offices and clear out those old cell phones, laptops and iPods and empty print cartridges that are no longer being used. Support the Women’s Intercultural Center (WInC) by collecting and donating print cartridges, cell phones, laptops, tablets, & iPods. Call, text, email friends, family, staff, neighbors and local businesses to have them donate their used items to WInC. Earth Day is Monday April 22nd and a perfect opportunity to have a recycle day. 11
REVIEWERS
WANTED Have you ever written an online review of a product or restaurant? GreatNonprofits.org – a review site like Yelp or TripAdvisor – is honoring highly-reviewed nonprofits with their 2013 Top-Rated List. We could earn the chance to meet with leaders in philanthropy & technology at the annual Technology for Social Good event in CA or online promotion worth $20,000. Won’t you help us raise visibility for our work by posting a review of your experience with us? All reviews will be visible to potential donors & volunteers. It’s easy and only takes a minute! Go to http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/write/womensintercultural-center-inc to get started!
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A place where learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.
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Conference attendees, Alexis and Daisy Artalejo, network with the Conference Presenters. Alexis plans to run for a position in the Board of Trustees of the City of Anthony, NM
WOMEN
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A place where learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.
reception ceremony with keynote speaker demonstrating the elevator speech and how to ask people for money. Mary Jane Garcia and the many presentations that followed the next day. The Preparing for Public Life Panel offered a wealth of advice on how a woman El Paso City Councilor, Susie Byrd, should prepare herself for elective office, provided a wealth of information in the challenges and their experiences in launching a campaign at the local and federal level. Her co-panelists, Stephanie overcoming sexist attitudes and labels to The two day conference was hosted by become effective public officials. the Women’s Intercultural Center (WInC) Dubois, Vice Chair of the Democratic Party and Susie Galea, Mayor of in partnership with Rutgers University’s They shared personal stories about how Eagleton Institute of Politics and Rutgers Alamogordo added their experience University’s Center for American Women providing conference participants a basic their lives intertwined with their political careers and how they managed to finish plan on how to launch their campaign. and Politics. strong. Some of the stories made you They answered a variety of questions which led to a one-on-one connection and laugh some almost made you cry...in the While we are a long way from a political end each story inspired us all. follow up with conference attendees at reality in which women and men are the end of the session. equally likely to aspire to seek and hold Mary Carter, Executive Director of WInC elective office; WInC is optimistic that Break out sessions such as Strategies for closed out the session by thanking our through this annual conference more Using the Media, Identifying Issues in the panelists and advisory committee for women will be ready to run and making our first conference a success! Local Area, Marketing Yourself as a eventually lead women to gender parity. Candidate and Navigating Political The U.S. currently ranks 77th on an international list of women's participation Parties were lead by incredible panelists Deanna C. Norcross, Project Coordinator who are leaders in their fields. Each one from Rutgers University’s Center for in national government. American Women and Politics, said the made a mark on the participants that following, “Congratulations on a Through the leadership and coordination attended their sessions. successful first program! Thanks for your of the Ready to Run Advisory Group consisting of Ellen Wedum, Bonnie Burn, One of the participants sponsored by NM hospitality and the opportunity to observe Ready to Run, I left with nothing but State Representative Nate Cote said, Sherry Thomas, Cheryl Frank and Sara accolades and look forward to hearing “The fundraising session provided me a Bartlett-Large the conference was about how the program grows.” designed to target women with emphasis wealth of information that I can use for on high school and college students a key both running for elective office and my We estimate that at minimum five of our personal life.” The session was led by area in taking on some deep-seeded participants are now ready to run for cultural change. The advisory committee Ann McCullough, Credentialed Certified elective office because of this conference. Fund Raising Executive, and NM State hoped that through this conference we Representative Jeff Steinborn. Together We will definitely be monitoring the would eliminate some of the factors that outcomes. they covered how to develop a hold women back when it comes to fundraising strategy, building donor lists, running for elective office. recruiting and motivating a finance committee and fundraising events. Ann Inspiration filled the Center as new used very interactive methods in leaders were being forged through the Women of all ages considering running for elective office found a wealth of information, networking opportunities and identified potential mentors at the Ready to Run Conference: Campaign Training for Women.
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Some of the work made by the students of our Arts & Crafts Class. Their creativity is amazing!
Pigeon made out with foam balls, pumpkin seeds, cardboard and decorative stones.
Mother’s Day floral arrangement.
Chick made out of yellow beans, cardboard and stones.
Basket made out of a story book and ribbon.
WOMEN
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A place where learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.
dates to remember For additional information please contact us at 575-882-5556 or the contact number listed next to the event announcement.
April
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Ready to Run Conference. For conference registration details click on the following link http:// www.womensinterculturalcenter.org/latest-news/380ready-run-new-mexico-texas-borderlands.
12-13
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Catholic Charities Legal Services Program Presentation from 1 to 3 pm. Is your family is in need of immigration legal services? Join us and find out how Catholic Charities can help you.
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Autism 101 at 12pm. Learn what autism is and the early signs and available interventions presented by Myrna Trujillo from the Centro de Autismo Mariposa.
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End of Spring Semester Celebration: The Celebration starts at 11am. Time to celebrate YOUR achievement(s)! Bring your favorite dish and join the celebration!
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Start of Summer Semester Classes. Review the calendar for dates and times of the classes being offered.
Come and celebrate Fathers Day. There will be a potluck at 12 p.m. Share with us your favorite dish and have fun.
July Let's celebrate Independence Day with a potluck at 12 p.m.
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Independence Day. In observance of the holiday, WInC will be closed.
May
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Monday, Memorial Day. In observance of the holiday WInC will be closed.
June
The Spot: Special Sunday Brunch from 10:30am to 3pm. enjoy a delectable meal supporting our operations.
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Mothers Day Potluck Celebration at 12 p.m. Bring out your favorite dish and share with your family and friends as we celebrate the most important woman in your life: Your Mother!
Cinco De Mayo Essay Contest Awards Ceremony & Community Meeting: Details of the event to be announced. May 6 through Friday, May 24: Summer Semester Registration starts. Class schedule will be available at the Center and online.
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Parents Day Potluck at 12pm. Come and join us in the celebration.
End of Classes Celebration at 12pm. Time to come and share with us your achievements. Bring your favorite dish and join the celebration
Interested in teaching a class, scheduling a workshop, presentation or training at WInC? We are always searching for Volunteer Instructors to teach in their areas of expertise. We currently have a special need for a haircutting instructor. For more info, contact Ilse Arrieta, Program Coordinator at 575-882-5556 or via email at iarrieta@qwestoffice.net. 17
Women’s Intercultural Center WHERE IT STARTS 303 Lincoln Street / PO Box 2411 Anthony, NM 88021 575-882-5556 Fax: 1-866-285-7245 www.womensinterculturalcenter.org
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