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Letter from the Editor
This week, so many of our conversations circled around one of the most defining choices any of us will ever make: who we choose to walk through life with. A partner can lift us higher than we ever imagined or quietly, slowly, bury the parts of us that were meant to shine. It is a decision that shapes our peace, our purpose, and the way we move through the world.
In our classes and in our quiet one‑on‑one conversations, I heard stories of every stage of that journey. Some of you are bravely recognizing when a relationship no longer aligns with who you are becoming. Others are learning to release someone who left for the “20%” that small, shiny distraction that never compares to the depth of what you offered. And some of you are rebuilding after loss, abandonment, or the passing of someone you loved deeply. Each story carried its own ache, its own wisdom, and its own reminder that healing is not linear, yet it is possible.
What struck me most was the strength that was threaded through every experience.
- The courage it takes to let go of a partner who cannot love you the way you deserve.
- The fortitude required to move forward when someone chooses to walk away.
- The tenderness of learning to live fully again after a spouse passes, honoring their memory by continuing to grow.
These are not small things. These are the quiet acts of bravery that shape a life.
If there is one truth that echoed through our halls this week, it is this: you are allowed to choose yourself. You are allowed to seek joy, to protect your peace, to rebuild, to start again. Love, real love, never asks you to shrink. It never punishes your light. It never abandons you in your hour of need.
As we step into a new week, I hope you carry this with you:
You are worthy of a partner who elevates you.
You are strong enough to release the ones who don’t.
And you are resilient enough to rise after any heartbreak whether it came through betrayal, abandonment, or loss.
Thank you for trusting this space with your stories. Thank you for showing up for yourselves and for one another. And thank you for reminding me, once again, that community is where healing begins.
Mary Carter
Editor & Executive Director
Women’s Intercultural Center
Celebrating Our Bluejay Birthday Across the Miles
This week, our community stretched its wings a little wider as we celebrated one of our dear Bluejay friends all the way in Omaha. Even from hundreds of miles away, Maia continues to inspire us with her determination, her kindness, and the way she keeps showing up for her goals with courage and heart.
We’re sending a huge Happy Birthday, Maia! May this next year bring you everything you’ve been working toward new milestones, new joy, and new reasons to believe in your own brilliance. Our love is flying north today, straight from Anthony to Omaha, wrapping you and the rest of our Bluejays in a big, bright birthday hug.
Birthdays remind us how connected we are, no matter the distance. And this week, we’re grateful for the chance to celebrate a young woman who embodies the spirit of perseverance and community that makes our Bluejay family so special.
Here’s to you, Maia and to all the beautiful things waiting for you in the year ahead.
Inside Out Comes to Life in Crochet Class
We are feeling all the emotions over these incredible creations! Patty poured so much heart, humor, and imagination into bringing the characters from Inside Out to life in our Crochet Class, and the results are nothing short of magical. Each character carries its own personality in yarn form: Joy with her bright, beaming smile, Sadness with her gentle slouch, Anger looking ready to burst into flames, Disgust with her perfect sass, Fear mid‑tremble, and Anxiety with that wonderfully frazzled hair that made everyone laugh the moment they saw it.
These pieces aren’t just adorable; they’re a testament to the creativity and skill that blossoms in our community spaces. Every stitch shows intention, patience, and love, the kind of craftsmanship that turns yarn into something unforgettable.
- Joy — a burst of sunshine
- Anger — fiery and hilarious
- Disgust — stylish as ever
- Fear — perfectly panicked
- Sadness — soft and sweet
- Anxiety — delightfully chaotic
And the best part? The lucky child who received the full set of characters has fallen completely in love with them. He’s been carrying them everywhere he goes holding onto each emotion like a tiny, colorful friend. It’s amazing how much joy handmade gifts bring.
These characters may come from a movie, but Patty’s versions tell a story of community, creativity, and the power of making something with your own hands.
Fueling Minds and Fueling Community
The simple act of offering a snack has become one of the most meaningful traditions in our Center. Our trusty Snack Tree stands near the classrooms like a quiet guardian of care, always ready to offer a little joy and a little nourishment to anyone who needs it. Whether someone grabs something before class to help them focus, takes a quick bite during a long afternoon, or picks up a treat on their way out the door, the Snack Tree is there steady, welcoming, and full of heart.
What makes it special isn’t just the food. It’s the message behind it: You belong here. You deserve to feel supported. You don’t have to ask. In a place where people come to learn, create, and grow, the Snack Tree provides that caring for the mind starts with caring for the body. It’s a small gesture that carries a big impact, helping our participants feel seen, valued, and ready to take on whatever the day brings.
Every wrapper, every sip, every shared smile around that little tree adds to the sense of community that makes our Center feel like home. It’s one more way we show up for each other one snack at a time.
Celebrating Estella at 65
Estella stepped into her 65th birthday, looking radiant glowing with the kind of joy that only comes from reaching a milestone surrounded by people who truly care. This week, her art‑class peers gathered to honor her special moment, filling the room with warmth, laughter, and the kind of celebration that reflects just how loved she is in our WInC community.
Her classmates cheered her on as she embraced this new chapter, and her family joined in to make the day even more meaningful. The pride in her smile said everything: 65 years young, full of life, creativity, and the beautiful spirit she brings to every class.
Estella’s birthday was a celebration of artistry, friendship, and the vibrant presence she brings to our Center every single week.
A Sweet Surprise from Our ESL Class
Our ESL class has a way of brightening the entire Center, and this week they did it again in the most delicious way. They arrived with an irresistible spread of homemade treats banana nut cake, pineapple upside‑down cake, chocolate cake, and warm café de olla that filled the room with the coziest aroma. It was a gesture of love, culture, and community.
Our participants bring so much to our Center. Their generosity fills our stomachs and our days with gratitude and connection. Every slice shared and every cup poured becomes part of the story we’re building together: one where kindness is the main ingredient and everyone has a seat at the table.
The joy in the room was unmistakable, and the sweetness lingered long after the plates were empty. This is what community looks like, people showing up for one another in the simplest, most meaningful ways.
Celebrating Our Artists Taking Bold New Steps
Look at this beautiful work! Some of our amazing art class participants have been stretching their skills and confidence through a portrait‑focused class at the community college, and the growth is shining through every brushstroke. In the photo, Alicia and our director admire Camerina’s stunning portrait, an artwork filled with depth, emotion, and the unmistakable touch of someone who has truly found her artistic voice.
That moment of celebration is just the beginning.
We are incredibly proud to share that three of our very own artists: Camerina Moreno, Christina Grijalva Garcia, and Martha Berumen will have their work featured in the EPCC Senior Adult Program’s 2026 Grand Gallery of Senior Art! 🎨✨ Their dedication, creativity, and courage to keep learning have opened the door to this well‑deserved recognition.
While we aren’t hosting this exhibit, we couldn’t miss the chance to celebrate the extraordinary talent growing right here in our community. These artists represent the heart of what our Center stands for: lifelong learning, joyful expression, and the power of believing in your own gifts.
🖼️ Exhibition Details
On View: March 5 – March 22, 2026
Opening Reception: March 6 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: International Museum of Art, 1211 Montana Ave., El Paso, TX 79902
Museum Hours:
- Thursday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Friday–Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Let’s show our participants some love and support for their incredible achievements. Their work deserves to be seen, celebrated, and cherished by our whole community.
Strength That Lifts Us All
Every day at WInC, we are surrounded by women whose resilience quietly reshapes what strength looks like. This week, that truth shone even brighter as we welcomed Alicia back to class after her recent shoulder surgery. She walked in with determination, grace, and courage.
Her return also echoed the example set by our Executive Director, who continues to lead with unwavering heart through multiple surgeries and ongoing dialysis. Watching these two women show up present, hopeful, and committed demonstrates that strength is steady. It’s lived. It’s shared.
In the middle of all this inspiration came a moment that perfectly captures the spirit of our community: Mary, offering Alicia a natural healing tip passed down through generations, wrapping a cool cabbage leaf around a sore area to help ease discomfort and pain. It was simple, thoughtful, and full of the kind of care that makes WInC feel like family.
These are the moments that define WInC. Women supporting women. Healing together. Growing together. Showing up for one another in ways big and small. Strength here is something we build, every single day.
Fresh Cuts, Fresh Confidence
The best perk of Haircutting Class isn’t just learning how to hold the shears or perfecting the angles of a great cut, it’s getting to be part of the magic yourself. Every week, our participants step into the classroom ready to learn, practice, and grow, and sometimes that means becoming the canvas for a brand‑new look.
This week’s transformation was a showstopper. One of our participants walked out of the chair with gorgeous, refreshed curls that bounced with new life. The class gathered around to admire the results, celebrating not just the beautiful haircut but the hands-on learning that made it possible. There’s something special about watching someone practice a new skill and seeing the confidence bloom right alongside the curls.
It’s a true win‑win: our students gain real experience, and our community members walk away feeling renewed, pampered, and proud of the talent growing in the room. At WInC, every snip is a step toward empowerment and every fresh cut is a reminder of what we can create together.
Her generosity is the kind of quiet magic that keeps our WInC community strong.
Thank you, Rosa, for turning yarn into joy and for showing us what it looks like to care in action.
A Surprise Visit
From our newest friends to our oldest supporters, the heart of WInC beats because of the people who believe in our mission. Today, we were reminded of that in the most touching way when Petra, one of our longest‑standing supporters, surprised us with a visit. Even with her days now joyfully filled with chasing after her grandchildren, she still carved out time to stop by proof that once you’re part of WInC community, you never really leave it.
She arrived with an incredible gift: a jar filled to the brim with change, collected with love and intention. Her donation is that of care, commitment, and years of standing beside us. Donations like this, whether big or small, are what keep our doors open, our programs running, and our community thriving. Every contribution becomes part of the hope we offer, the classes we teach, and the support we extend to every person who walks through our doors.
Support like Petra’s means the world to us. We are lifted by the generosity of those who believe in what we’re building together. To everyone who continues to stand by our side: thank you. You are the reason we can keep doing what we do.
Celebrating Liz with Friendship & a Whole Lot of Joy
Birthdays are just better with yarn and friends, and this week our Crochet Class proved it once again. Even though Liz’s actual birthday was this past Saturday, the celebration didn’t stop there. The moment she walked into class, the room lit up with excitement, laughter, and that warm sense of community that makes our space feel like home.
The highlight of the day was surprising her with a gift inspired by her favorite Disney character, a gesture that brought the sweetest smile to her face.
And the celebration didn’t end in the classroom. Liz and her crochet peers continued the festivities with a special birthday lunch at Great American, sharing good food, great company, and plenty of laughter. It was the perfect way to honor a beautiful participant who brings so much joy, creativity, and kindness to our WInC community.
Here’s to you, Liz wishing you the happiest of birthdays and a year filled with inspiration, friendship, and many more yarn‑filled moments.
A Day Bursting with Creativity, Color, and Friendship
Some days in Crochet class feel like stepping into a little world made entirely of joy, imagination, and yarn and this week was one of those days. Everywhere we looked, something adorable, clever, or downright heart‑melting was taking shape in someone’s hands.
The room erupted in smiles over the cutest yellow duck in a pink scarf, waddling its way straight into everyone’s hearts. Not far behind was a sweet, crocheted baby doll, a tiny bundle of joy that had the whole class in awe. Creativity kept blooming with a vibrant, flower‑covered creature that looked like springtime stitched into life.
And our makers didn’t stop there. They were busy blanketing the world in love, working on everything from a classic brown‑and‑white granny square pattern to a stunning teal‑and‑tan chevron design that flowed like ocean waves. Even the holidays made an early appearance with festive red borders on beautiful poinsettia dresses, proving it’s never too soon to sleigh the season.
Every corner of the room had something magical, yet the best part was the people. The laughter, the encouragement, the shared pride in each other’s creations. There is truly knot a better group of friends to spend the day crafting with.
A Week Led with Heart
What a week it has been at WInC one filled with hard work, heavy conversations, and compassion. Our director has been moving nonstop, guiding community members through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. From helping folks navigate complex immigration paperwork to supporting women facing difficult divorces, to simply being a steady, listening ear for those who needed someone to talk to, she showed up with the same unwavering dedication every single time.
Her leadership does not happen behind a desk. It happens in the hallways, in quiet offices, in classrooms, and in the countless moments where someone needs reassurance, clarity, or hope. Even while managing her own health journey, multiple surgeries and ongoing dialysis, she continues to lead with strength, humility, and a fierce love for our WInC community.
We are blessed to have a leader who embodies service in its truest form. Her example inspires all of us to keep showing up for one another with patience, courage, and compassion.
Thank you for everything you do. Your work transforms lives every day.
A Sweet Surprise from the Kitchen of WInC Community
Some of the best moments at WInC come from the creativity our participants bring into the building, and this week, Rosaura gave us one of those unforgettable surprises. She walked in carrying a chilled, sweet drink she had made using zucchini and squash from our veggie distribution. And to everyone’s delight, it was delicious.
What started as a simple experiment turned into a brilliant discovery: this refreshing drink works as a perfect smoothie replacement for anyone who can’t have bananas. Light, naturally sweet, and full of nutrients, it had everyone talking and asking for a taste. Who knew squash could shine like this?
Rosaura’s creation is innovation, culture, and love poured into a glass. Her willingness to share her recipe and her joy turned an ordinary day into something special.
Her drink refreshed and inspired us. It showed how our veggie distribution continues to spark new ideas, new flavors, and new ways to care for one another.
Thank you, Rosaura, for bringing sweetness, surprise, and community to our week.
