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Letter from the Editor
Father’s Day invites us to pause and recognize the men who shape our lives with steady love, quiet strength, and the kind of guidance that stays with us long after the moment has passed. Some fathers teach through words, others through example, and many through the everyday acts of care that often go unnoticed but never go unfelt.
Here at the Women’s Intercultural Center, we see the impact of fathers, grandfathers, uncles, mentors, and father‑figures reflected in the confidence of our participants, the values they carry, and the fortitude they bring into every class and program. Their influence reaches far beyond their own homes, it ripples through our entire community.
For some, Father’s Day is a joyful celebration. For others, it brings memories, longing, or a mix of emotions. However this day meets you, we hold space for your story. What matters most is the love that shaped you, the lessons that guided you, and the people who helped you become who you are.
To all the fathers and father‑figures who lead with kindness, who show up with patience, and who give their families a sense of safety and belonging, we honor you. Your presence makes a difference, and your care strengthens our community in ways that continues to grow.
Wishing everyone a meaningful and gentle Father’s Day.
Mary Carter
Editor & Executive Director
Women’s Intercultural Center
A Weekend Full of Flavor, Music, and Community
The St. Anthony Kermes was alive with music, laughter, and the irresistible aroma of summer comfort foods drifting through the warm air. Our volunteers showed up in full spirit, weaving effortlessly through the joyful crowds to pick plates of gorditas, burgers, fries, nachos, and aguas frescas.
They found a perfect vantage point near the matachines just as the drums began to roll, that familiar, grounding heartbeat of tradition that always draws a community closer. As the dancers moved, children danced along in the margins, parents raised their phones to capture the memory, and our team simply soaked in the beauty of the moment.
As the sun began to set, the energy shifted seamlessly when DJ Bobby Bubbles took over the sound system. Knowing he is the husband of one of our very own WInC participants made the set feel incredibly personal. A quiet ripple of pride went through our entire group as he kept the crowd moving, laughing, and smiling under the evening sky.
It was one of those beautifully simple, joyful borderland days. Shared food, shared culture, and shared joy exactly what our volunteers love.
Creativity That Inspires Us Every Day
Nothing brightens our day quite like seeing the beautiful things our participants bring to life. This week, we were especially honored when Petra stopped by to share the dream catcher she’s been creating in our Yarn Art class. It was carefully woven, full of color, intention, and that quiet joy that comes from making something with your own hands.
Watching participants grow in their skills and in their confidence is one of the greatest gifts of our programming. It’s amazing what our participants can create when they feel supported, welcomed, and encouraged to explore their talents.
We’re so proud of the work happening in Yarn Art, and so grateful to Petra for letting us celebrate her beautiful creations with our WInC community.
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Elaine Rose Lennox
Our WInC community is holding the memory of Elaine Rose Lennox close to our hearts. A participant in our guitar class since 2018, Elaine brought a gentle steadiness to every session. She made others feel welcomed, encouraged, and seen. On June 13, 2026, she went to be with her Lord and Savior after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer.
Born in Albuquerque in 1962, Elaine devoted her life to teaching, spending 32 years at Gadsden High School in Anthony, NM. Generations of students knew her as someone who believed in them, guided them, and cared deeply about their growth. That same love for young people showed up in every part of her life like in her faith, in her service, and in the way she moved through the world with kindness.
Elaine will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her compassion, and the quiet strength she carried into every space. She had a gift for making others feel valued, and her gentle spirit left an imprint on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
As we reflect on her life, we hold gratitude for the years she shared with us, the music, the laughter, the encouragement, and the grace she offered so freely. Her legacy lives on in the WInC community she helped shape.
Where Our Stories Meet
Like distinct colors blending on a single canvas, the Women’s Intercultural Center is a place where our stories come together. In the calm, steady rhythm of our art class, something meaningful happens in the way people gather, support one another, and create side by side.
What binds us isn’t only the artwork taking shape. It’s the shared commitment to community, the kindness exchanged across tables, and the understanding that every person who walks through our doors brings a story worth honoring. Each voice becomes a brushstroke in something larger than any one of us.
In that quiet magic, belonging becomes visible. Creativity becomes connection. And together, we continue shaping a space where everyone is welcomed, valued, and part of the masterpiece we’re building as a community.
A Full House @ the Project Jupiter Open House & Career Fair
The Project Jupiter Open House and Career Fair drew a full crowd, filling the room with job seekers, families, and community members hoping to learn more about opportunities connected to the project. The atmosphere was upbeat and busy, with people lining up for swag, free food, cold drinks, and the fresh vegetable bags provided on-site.
For most attendees, the focus was on employment and the giveaways available throughout the event. Only a small number of people were looking for deeper information about the project itself. Those who asked were given a single sheet of basic details and directed to find the rest online at ProjectJupiterTogether.com.
The event delivered information on jobs, resources, and community presence, yet for those seeking clarity about the project’s scope, impacts, or long‑term plans, the information available in the room was limited.
Disclaimer: The Women’s Intercultural Center is sharing this for community awareness. We are not affiliated with the Project Jupiter initiative and do not take a position for or against the project.
A Tiny Creation Full of Joy
Patty stopped by this week with something that instantly brightened the whole room, her handmade Betty Boop doll. Small, colorful, and full of personality, the doll carries those classic Betty features that make people smile the moment they see her. It’s the kind of creation that makes everyone lean in a little closer, admiring the care stitched into every detail.
Creations like this show us just how much talent lives within our WInC community. Patty brings patience, imagination, and heart to everything she does, and this little Betty Boop is no exception.
Patty, your work is adorable, and we’re so proud to celebrate your creativity.
Welcoming the Summer Solstice with Sunshine & Community
Did you know the Summer Solstice is this Sunday, June 21st? It marks the official start of summer and brings a little extra brightness to our days, literally.
The solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, giving us more hours of daylight than any other day. The word solstice comes from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), describing the moment when the sun’s movement pauses before shifting direction. It’s a small piece of science that shows us how remarkable our world really is.
To celebrate all that extra sunshine headed our way, an incredibly generous donor gifted us with a supply of sunglasses to share with our community. Our amazing volunteer, Isabel, jumped right in and began handing them out with her usual enthusiasm and warmth. Thanks to her, our participants can step into summer feeling cool, looking great, and keeping their eyes protected as they enjoy the season.
Moments like this with a thoughtful donation, a volunteer ready to help, and a community excited to welcome summer are what make WInC shine just as brightly as the solstice itself.
Celebrating Deborah’s 15th Birthday
Deborah’s Crochet Class friends surprised her this week with a celebration as bright and joyful as she is. The room quickly filled with laughter, delicious food, thoughtful gifts, and the kind of genuine care that makes our classes feel like family.
Her smile said everything. Surrounded by friends who have watched her grow in confidence, creativity, and skill, Deborah shined with the happiness of being truly seen and celebrated. It’s incredible how much friendship and encouragement flourish in our Crochet Class and how meaningful it is to watch our participants lift one another up.
It was a beautiful milestone for a young artist who brings so much heart to our WInC community.
A Joyful Afternoon of Mandala Making
Our community gathered for a joyful afternoon of creativity led by Lupita Zacarias, who guided participants in painting colorful mandalas on recycled CDs. The room was filled with calm focus as everyone settled into the rhythm of choosing colors, tracing patterns, and letting their designs take shape. Each mandala reflected something personal like a moment of peace, a burst of energy, or simply the joy of creating alongside others.
This workshop was designed to slow down, connect, and make something beautiful with our own hands. The shared laughter, the quiet concentration, and the pride in each finished piece all added to the sense of togetherness that makes our classes and workshops so special.
Thank you to everyone who joined and shared your vibrant spirit. Your mandalas truly shine with the energy of mindfulness, creativity, and community.
Preparing for a Life‑Changing Milestone
We have several incredible participants gearing up for their upcoming Naturalization interviews, and the excitement is building. Each person brings their own story, their own determination, and their own hopes for the day they officially become Naturalized U.S. Citizens.
To make sure everyone feels confident and fully prepared, our team runs extra interview simulation sessions sometimes staying later than usual to walk through questions, review paperwork, and help calm those last‑minute nerves. These evenings are filled with focus, encouragement, and the steady belief that every participant can succeed.
And when their big day arrives? The joy on their faces makes every extra minute worth it. Watching someone step into the room as an applicant and walking out successfully passing the interview and exam is one of the most meaningful moments we get to witness.
Their hard work inspires us. Their courage moves us. And their success makes our work matter.
In Loving Memory of Christine Swanson Little
Our hearts are heavy as we share the passing of Christine Swanson Little, who left us on June 15th after a long illness. A devoted supporter of WInC and a beloved member of our border community, Chris lived her life with kindness, dedication, and a deep commitment to helping others. Her generosity touched countless lives, and the care she poured into her community continues to guide and inspire us.
Chris will be remembered for the steady compassion she offered to everyone she met. She had the kind of presence that made people feel welcomed, valued, and supported. Her legacy of service is woven into the lives she uplifted and the community she strengthened through her actions.
A Celebration of Life will be held in August at Peace Lutheran Church. As we grieve this loss together, we hold William and their family close in our hearts.
Chris’s light remains with us, carried forward in the love she shared so freely.
A Handmade Gift From the Heart
This week, one of our incredible volunteers stopped by the office of State Representative Doreen Gallegos with a very special surprise. Our talented Crochet Class Instructor, Veronica Antuna, poured her heart into creating a stunning, handmade Our Lady of Guadalupe just for her. The special piece was filled with care, detail, and the spirit of our border community.
The biggest surprise came the moment Rep. Gallegos received it. She was deeply touched by the gesture, moved not only by the beauty of the piece but by the love and intention behind it. She shared that she plans to pass this meaningful, handcrafted gift on to her own family, adding another layer of connection to Veronica’s work.
Moments like this show us how creativity, generosity, and community intertwine at WInC. Veronica’s artistry continues to inspire, and we’re grateful to witness the impact her gifts have on others.
