Inspiring stories of our participants

Olivia Contreras has two grown children and six grandchildren.  She came to the Women’s Intercultural Center for the first time in May 2007. She always heard that the Center offered many classes but she never came.  She finally came because she wanted to become a U.S. Citizen and when she went to the community college she couldn't enroll because they didn't have citizenship classes in Spanish and she didn't think she could learn citizenship in English.  She was surprised that the Center had English tutors who could also teach citizenship classes in Spanish.  She had been in the United States for 26 years and thought that it was about time she learned English and became a citizen.  Thanks to her tutor, Elizabeth, she passed her citizenship test and became a U.S. citizen on November 6, 2007.  She feels secure now that she is a citizen and it is very important to her to be able to vote.  She would like to tell all women at home to come to the Center and that if she can do it they can too and if they need help to become a citizen she is willing to tutor them.

Alma Femath of San Luis Potosi, MX is the 4th child out of 7 children. She had a 9th grade education and married at 16.

In 1990 her family migrated to the U.S., by that time she had two children and was pregnant with her 3rd child. The move made her homesick and depressed. She did not have any relatives or friends to talk to and her husband was working all day along.

One day she came to the Women’s Intercultural Center and from the first moment she came in, she felt welcomed. She thought to herself, “I’ve found a place where I belong.” Through the Center’s programs, Mrs. Femath learned to speak English and acquired job skills. She was offered the position of Receptionist; that gesture of trust and opportunity encouraged her to continue her education.

Alma says, “My work at the center and its mission made me feel strong and empowered. I discovered that I could do more than just be a wife and mother. I really want to thank the Women’s Intercultural Center for being the encouraging force to believe in myself and for their understanding and flexibility while I pursued my Associates Degree at El Paso Community College.. I’m not finished yet…I’m inspired to go beyond and try to get a Bachelors Degree in Accounting."

Alma just received the Pay It Forward Scholarship which will pay for her tuition and books to attend the University of Phoenix and complete her dream of attaining her degree.

Toni Jacquez was a participant of the Small Business Development Academy's first cohort.  She felt that fulfilling her dream of business ownership would not only enhance her life but that of her community where she would establish her business.  Since her retirement, her husband had been comtemplating opening a cabrito (young goat) restaurant.  She had worked from the age of 12 to the age of 22 at a small business grocery story with her father.  She knew the work a family owned business entailed, so she knew that she did not want to devote 24/7 time again.  But after attending the Academy, she realized that she did not have all the information necessary to successfully develop her business.

Toni is happy that the Center saw the need to educate women on how to develop a small business. She noted that some of the participants attending the Academy had no business experience, different levels of education, and different commands of the English language; however, everyone was equally given the opportunity to learn no matter what their personal situation was.

Toni says, "Attending the Academy was an informative and pleasurable experience. I will always remember and appreciate the support we received from the Center and our instructor and my fellow classmates. " Toni Jacquez is the Chair of the 2009 Board of Directors of the Women’s Intercultural Center.

Nancy Preciado formerly of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, MX migrated to the U.S. in 2000 and married a year later in Dallas, TX.  Two months after her marriage, she and her husband moved to the rural community of Anthony, NM.  During that time she saw the evolution of the Women’s Intercultural Center through the construction project that resulted in a 7,000 sq. ft. ecologically friendly facility.  She noticed that the Center provided English classes but was too embarrassed to inquire about class enrollment.  A year later, she and her husband moved back to Dallas, TX.

By 2006, the family returned to Anthony, NM and this time Nancy decided to visit the Center and ask about the classes that were available.  She was greeted by Elena Araiza, a Center employee and former participant, who explained the classes, trainings and workshops the Center offered.  She felt extremely welcomed and immediately enrolled in an English and Basic Computer class.  Nancy later joined the Center's Ballet Folklorico Group.  Being part of the Center's Ballet Folklorico group increased her self-esteem and social network.  She added a fun new way of exercising by practicing and learning the steps to the dances.  Additionally, she learned new skills such as working in a team environment, sewing, dancing, and costume design.  She particularly enjoyed the having the ability to include her three year old daughter, Sophie, in the group.  Her second daughter, Mia, participated in the group before she was even born as during Nancy's pregnancy she continued to practice and perform with the group.

In 2009, her husband was transferred to Tucumcari, NM and the family had to move again.  She really hated to move because the Center had become her second home, an integral part of her family's life.  "There are so many wonderful people that my daughters and I will greatly miss! We are extremely grateful for everything we learned at the Center which we will never forget.  But most importantly, I want to thank everyone for making us part of the Women’s Intercultural Center's community and making us feel like a part of such a large family.  Thank you for everything and God willing in time we will return to our second home.

A friend invited Rosario Renteria to the Women's Intercultural Center. She had been worried about her as she had fallen into a deep depression and had become isolated due to the recent death of her son. Her friend encouraged her to take art classes. She brought her to the Center and introduced her to the painting instructor. As she walked into the building she felt a sense of warmth and the welcoming nature of the participants and staff instantly made her feel at home.

She was given a test to assess her painting skills for her individual learning plan. She soon began attending the painting classes, found the solace and worth she needed and has been painting ever since.

Rosario says, “When I paint, I feel peaceful.  I feel like an artist.”

After that one class she began taking a variety of other classes. The Center helped her advance her skills in paining and exhibited her work, she learned English while taking art classes and has found a source of income through the Center’s Economic Self-Sufficiency program by selling her art work and various other artistic products she learned to produce. She now teaches classes in art, repujado and knitting. Aside from all this, the Center has given her the opportunity to explore her singing skills. She is the official singer of the Center and has brightened many events with her talents. She recently formed a singing group and was commissioned to paint her vision of the downtown area of Anthony, NM upon its incorporation.

She now initiates and hones in her creative talents and encompasses new ideas to the Center. In meeting and sharing with the many women that have come to the Center, she has made this her home.

Rosario says, “It (the Center) is my source of inspiration and a support network for me. In being here it is not only an economic support but it elevates my morale and I feel really happy particularly in sharing my knowledge. Before the Center, I used to feel limited, but now I know that there are various opportunities to achieve your goals and dreams. I have evolved as an individual and as a professional artist. All the women that come to the Center have those opportunities. In the time that I have been here, I have seen many women participate in everything the Center has to offer at all generational levels from 17 to 85. They come searching for a safe place to create their own goals and dreams, there’s an abundance of color, talent and beauty here.”

Margarita Reza came to the Women's Intercultural Center at a time when she was very depressed.  She was recovering from a surgery as she was diagnosed with diabetes.  She would sit at her house watching TV all day feeling sorry for herself, secluding herself from the world. When she decided to come to the Center she was hoping to distract herself for a few hours.

She never imagined the impact the Center would have in her life.  The Women's Intercultural Center helped her discover her qualities and acknowledge her value.  She enthusiastically took a variety classes in a very friendly environment.  Her peers at the Center motivated, supported and encouraged her.

Margarita believes the Center provided her a new start in her life.  A start that motivated her to better herself and her family.  Here she learned to do things for herself and became independent.

She is very grateful to the Women's Intercultural Center's instructors, staff, and her peers who helped her rediscover herself and become economically self-sufficient as she supplements her income as a member of the Center's catering team and as a hair cutting instructor.

Margarita says, “This Center has changed my life, and not just financially.  I've come out of my shell - it is amazing to hear my son say that he is so proud of me!  I've takeng classes, learned how to work in a commercial kitchen, spoke in public for the very first time at a Center event, supplemented my income and the experience of teaching a class gives me confidence to strive towards attaining my cosmetology license and own a beautysalon.”