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Letter from the Editor

Every week, I watch our Center fill with the quiet courage and determination of the people we serve. Someone walks in hoping to master their civics questions. Someone else arrives ready to take the first step toward a new business venture. A family sits together, finally understanding the residency or citizenship paperwork that once felt overwhelming. These moments happen every single day.  Our building is more than a classroom, it is a second home where people find support, dignity, and hope.

Today, I need to share something that weighs heavily on my heart. The recent heavy rain has caused damage to our roof. Water has seeped into areas we work hard to keep safe, dry, and welcoming. Leaks and structural wear are not just maintenance issues; they threaten the very spaces where our community gathers, learns, and grows. When the roof is compromised, everything beneath it is at risk like the programs, the classrooms, and the sense of security people feel when they walk through our doors.

We have faced many challenges together over the years, and each time, our community has shown extraordinary strength. I am turning to that strength now. Repairing a roof is a major undertaking, but it is one we must face head‑on to protect the Center and everyone who depends on it. I am asking for your help, not out of fear, but out of trust. Trust in the generosity that has carried us this far. Trust in the shared belief that this Center matters. Trust in the knowledge that when we unite, we make miracles happen.

If you can contribute, whether in a small way or a larger one, your support will directly help us restore the roof and safeguard the programs that change lives every single day. You can find simple ways to help WInC at: https://www.womensinterculturalcenter.org/index.php/donate

Thank you for standing with us, for believing in this work, and for helping us keep the Center safe, dry, and open for every person who needs it. Together, we will repair this roof. Together, we will continue building a future filled with opportunity, compassion, and community.

Mary Carter
Editor & Executive Director
Women’s Intercultural Center

 

Behind the Scenes of Citizenship Study Cards

"Fresh chapter, fresh materials." That is the mantra that drives our weekend routine. Every Saturday and Sunday, the tables are cleared to make room for a labor of love: resetting, reviewing, and creating the next set of Citizenship Study Cards.

It takes plenty of time, meticulous attention to detail, and more than a few cartridges of ink. Reviewing the latest civics updates ensures that every card features accurate, up-to-date questions on American history, government structure, and rights. Crafting these portable study aids requires care, ensuring students have clear, digestible tools they can slip into a pocket or purse to study during a lunch break, or late at night after a long shift.

Why dedicate the weekend to cardstock and laminating pouches? Because equipping students with exactly what they need to walk into their naturalization interviews with confidence is the ultimate weekend hustle. Seeing that flash of pride when a student learns a difficult civic question makes every printed page and late-night prep session entirely worth it.

To everyone putting in the hard work on both sides of the desk: see you all in class!

 

Breathing Easy: A Massive Thank You to Sam’s Club

Allergy season always brings that familiar wave of sniffles and sneezes. Yet this year, our community is stepping into the season fully prepared, thanks to an incredible act of generosity from our local Sam’s Club.

When allergy season comes hot, staying focused, energized, and feeling your best can feel like an uphill battle. Recognizing the need to support community health and comfort, the local Sam's Club stepped up in a major way with a massive donation of Nasacort Allergy 24HR nasal spray.

This generous contribution means our participants, volunteers and community members have reliable, effective relief right at their fingertips. Whether folks are tackling coursework, studying for exams, or managing busy workdays, they can do it without being slowed down by pesky seasonal allergies.

Partnerships like this make all the difference in keeping our community thriving and comfortable year-round. We are deeply grateful to Sam’s Club for their continued support, their community spirit, and for helping us keep those seasonal symptoms at bay so everyone can breathe easily and stay focused!

 

Sharing the Harvest with Gloria’s Pomegranates

There is nothing quite like the warmth of a community that looks out for one another, and around the center, nobody embodies that spirit quite like Gloria.

Always going above and beyond to show our participants and volunteers some extra love and appreciation, Gloria recently surprised us with a truly special delivery: a beautiful, bountiful batch of fresh pomegranates to share with everyone.

The ruby-red fruits were bursting with sweet, tart seeds brought immediate smiles to center participants and volunteers. There’s a unique joy in gathering around to enjoy a seasonal treat and breaking open the pomegranates turned into a wonderful moment of connection, laughter, and sharing among friends.

Gestures like this show how special our WInC community is. Thank you, Gloria, for your constant kindness, your thoughtful heart, and for always finding such wonderful ways to brighten everyone's day at the center!

 

Incredible Craftsmanship in Yarn Art Class

Walk through the doors of the center on any given day, and you will quickly discover that this space is always blooming with incredible local talent!

A wonderful testament to that creativity can be seen in the vibrant, beautiful, handcrafted yarn flowers recently brought to life in our Yarn Art Class. From deep, winding purples and crisp bright whites to that stunning crimson centerpiece, our amazing crafters are truly transforming simple threads into vibrant, everlasting joy.

There is something profoundly special about watching ordinary materials shaped by hand into pieces of lasting beauty. Each stitch and wrap reflects the patience, skill, and imagination of our talented participants, filling the room with color and warmth.

We love seeing the unique artistic expressions that flourish here every week. Come by and look at these gorgeous creations and see what wonderful things our community is stitching together next!

 

Weathering the Storm

Mother Nature certainly decided to put our building to the test this week! With heavy, unpredictable downpours rolling through the area on and off all afternoon, our facility has had to weather a few leaks and minor damage.

First and foremost, the most important news: our entire volunteer team and everyone at the center were completely safe.

Out of an abundance of caution due to the severe weather conditions and slick roads, all evening classes for the week were promptly canceled, and students were notified right away.

We are assessing the cleanup and repairs, but if there is one thing we know for certain, it is the resilience of our community. Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and your kind check-ins. Stay safe, stay dry out there, and we look forward to seeing everyone back at the center very soon!

 

The Countdown is On

The excitement in the air is palpable, and the countdown is officially on. In just 11 days, the Bluejay Crew is landing! We are absolutely thrilled to welcome 12 amazing students from Creighton University’s SCSJ for a jam-packed week of exploring our community, sharing new perspectives, and giving back through hands-on volunteering.

For anyone who has ever taken part in this journey, the anticipation brings back a flood of wonderful memories. As former BAE participant Raena beautifully put it, "They are in for an awesome adventure."

It’s an adventure that leaves a lasting mark on everyone involved. Echoing that sentiment, Martin shared simply that it is "The best experience."

From discovering local culture to rolling up their sleeves for meaningful community service, these upcoming days promise connection, growth, and unforgettable moments. Let the adventure begin!

 

 

A Shoutout to Our Incredible Team

When Mother Nature throws her worst our way, the true heart of our organization always shines through. This week, before the heavy storm rolled in and tested our building, our incredible team didn't wait to see what would happen, they acted.

Climbing up onto the roof, they worked diligently to patch every vulnerability they could find to protect our facility from major damage. While we were fortunate that the storm didn't strike our building quite as hard as expected, those proactive patches helped tremendously and kept us secure when the downpours hit.

We are endlessly grateful for a crew that looks out for our facility just as much as they care for our people. These temporary touch-ups truly held the line when we needed them most. However, these quick fixes are just a stopgap; we are hoping to secure the funding required to complete the permanent, full-scale repairs our building urgently needs to stay strong for years to come.

Thank you to our dedicated team for always stepping up and thank you to our entire community for your continued support!

 

Support the Center Just by Searching the Web!

Supporting the Women’s Intercultural Center doesn't always require a grand fundraiser or a financial donation sometimes, it is as simple as opening your web browser!

Our Executive Director recently led the way by showing just how easy it is, donating 5,655 Microsoft Rewards points directly to the Women’s Intercultural Center (WInC) for the month of September!

Did you know you can turn your everyday web searches into real cash support for the Center? It is completely free and effortless to do. By participating, your normal online activity helps generate resources that keep our educational classes, workshops, and community space thriving.

Just follow the simple infographic below to get set up and start supporting us today!

 

A Heart Full of Gratitude

There are days at the center filled with paperwork, classes, and logistical planning, and then there are days that remind us precisely why we do what we do. This week, we had one of those unforgettable days, overflowing with warmth, home-cooked food, and deep gratitude.

Alondra’s grandmother stopped by the center this week with a very special mission: to drop off a generous donation and a delicious spread of food for our volunteers. It was her heartfelt way of saying thank you for standing by her family and helping Alondra navigate the complex immigration paperwork required to petition for her mother.

As we shared a meal together, the conversation naturally turned to the journey that brought them here. Thanks to the hard work and careful preparation of the paperwork, they have crossed a major milestone. Now comes the final, exciting step: awaiting her mother's upcoming interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juárez to secure her immigrant visa. Once she steps across the border legally into the U.S., the final piece will be paying the mandatory USCIS Immigrant Visa fee to officially receive her permanent residency card.

There are real human stories behind every form, document, and study session. We are deeply touched by this kindness, incredibly proud of Alondra and her grandmother for their resilience and standing with them in hope and excitement as they prepare for this final, life-changing step!

 

A Flock of Creativity

There is a special kind of magic that happens when imagination meets simple materials, and our Yarn Art Class always seems to bring out the most wonderful creations. This week, we are celebrating a truly heartwarming and stunning piece crafted by the talented Priscilla!

Priscilla brought her latest project to life by creating an adorable pair of handcrafted birds nestled within a gorgeous, vibrant floral wreath. To make her artwork even more special, she added a delicate touch of colorful flowers and greenery, framing the sweet little birds in a blossoming masterpiece.

Every stitch, loop, and floral placement tells a story of patience, creativity, and joy. It is amazing how much talent thrives right here in our WInC community.

Fantastic job, Priscilla, thank you for sharing your wonderful gift with us and brightening up the center with your art!

 

Why Every Letter from USCIS Matters

Navigating the journey to citizenship is a major milestone, and while the hard work of studying and preparing is vital, the journey doesn't end when the paperwork is submitted. That is why we always encourage our citizenship participants to keep us in the loop and bring us every letter they receive from USCIS!

Staying connected helps us track their progress every step of the way to ensure their case is moving along smoothly. A perfect example happened just recently when Lina stopped by the center to share two recent letters from USCIS confirming they had received her application and that it was actively being processed.

Because she brought them in, we were able to look up her live case status right alongside her. Good thing we did, the system showed that a notice for her upcoming biometrics appointment had already been sent out!

We let Lina know to keep a close eye on her mailbox over the coming week, and to let us know immediately if the physical letter doesn't arrive. By staying proactive, we can follow up right away to ensure she never misses a crucial appointment due to postal delays or lost mail.

Her success is our priority from day one to the oath ceremony. If a USCIS envelope lands in your mailbox, bring it to the center so we can help you stay on track!

 

One Month In: Our Citizenship Classes Are Soaring Toward Success!

Fall is officially in full swing, and our classrooms are buzzing with incredible energy. We are thrilled to share that our Spanish Citizenship morning class, alongside our evening Spanish and English citizenship classes, are progressing wonderfully as we wrap up our very first month together!

Even though these classes meet just one day a week, the dedication and hard work of our students are already yielding amazing results. In just four short weeks of once-a-week sessions, our passionate participants have powered through their study cards and have already mastered the civics questions from 1 to 57 out of the 128 total questions.

That is nearly half of the entire civics’ curriculum conquered in record time!

Witnessing the commitment, focus, and mutual support in these classrooms is truly inspiring. With this kind of momentum, our students are well on their way to success, building a strong foundation for their upcoming interviews and future citizenship.

Keep up the phenomenal work, we are cheering for our participants every single step of the way!

 

Investing in Her Future

There are few investments that are more powerful than investing in yourself. We are so excited and proud to share that Ana has officially decided to take the life-changing step to apply for her U.S. citizenship!

Recently, Ana received some money that was paid back to her. Instead of spending it callously, she made the intentional and inspiring choice to invest that money directly into her future by covering the cost of submitting her N-400 application. What a fantastic way to honor her hard work and pave the way for new opportunities!

Ana’s timing couldn't be better. Many of our citizenship participants choose to submit their applications right at the beginning of our classes. Doing this creates a wonderful sense of momentum that pushes them to dive into their studies with extra dedication, and by the time they complete our course, they don't have to face a long waiting period for their interviews.

And what happens if an interview notice arrives even sooner than expected? No problem at all! Whenever that happens, we are there for our students', working with them one-on-one to make sure they feel completely prepared and confident.

Congratulations, Ana, for taking this major step forward. We are honored to walk this journey with you as you build your path toward success!

 

Why Renewing Your Residency Card Early Matters

When it comes to dealing with immigration paperwork, timing is everything. One of the most important pieces of advice we give our community is to renew your permanent residency (Green Card) six months before it is due to expire.

Starting the renewal process early helps you completely bypass unnecessary processing delays with USCIS, ensuring that your proof of status remains uninterrupted for travel, work, and peace of mind.

We saw a fantastic example of proactive planning this week when Oscar brought his parents, Olivia and Rafael, into the center. Together, they successfully submitted their Form I-90 applications to renew their residency cards well ahead of the curve. By taking care of this crucial step now, Olivia and Rafael can relax knowing they are fully protected against unexpected processing bottlenecks or paperwork hangups down the road.

If your residency card is coming up for expiration in the coming months, don't wait until the last minute! Stop by the center and let us help you get your renewal submitted on time, just like Olivia, and Rafael.

 

Lupita Prepares for Our Catrinas Doll Workshop!

Fall brings not only cooler weather and wonderful classes, but also vibrant traditions that celebrate our rich cultural heritage! We are so excited to announce that Lupita is getting ready to lead another fantastic community workshop on October 12 at 6:00 PM, teaching us how to create traditional Catrinas dolls.

Lupita stopped by the Center this week to pick up all the necessary materials to craft her sample piece, and we can already tell this workshop is going to be something truly special. Whether you are a seasoned crafter or a complete beginner, her workshops are always filled with warmth, creativity, and community spirit.

What makes this upcoming session even more exciting is that we will be joined by a very special group of visitors: the students from Creighton University! They will be stepping into our community to participate in the workshop, making it a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange, shared learning, and new friendships.

Mark your calendars for October 12 at 6:00 PM and come join us for an unforgettable evening of art, culture, and community connection. We cannot wait to see you there!

 

ICAN Cooks Up Incredible Lentil Tacos!

Healthy eating doesn’t have to break the bank, and our ICAN nutrition classes are living proof! This week, the kitchen was buzzing with excitement as our class whipped up an incredible batch of lentil tacos that left everyone asking for seconds.

If you haven’t tried cooking with lentils yet, you are in for a treat. They are a fantastic plant-based protein alternative that is naturally hearty, incredibly affordable, and packed with savory flavor when seasoned just right. Served up in warm, soft corn tortillas and topped with crisp lettuce, freshly shredded cheese, and a rich, vibrant salsa, these tacos were an absolute home run with everyone in the room!

Dishes like this show just how easy it is to bring nutritious, budget-friendly meals to the family dinner table without sacrificing an ounce of taste.

Want to learn how to make easy, healthy, and affordable meals for your family while picking up new culinary skills? Join us at our next ICAN session and cook up something wonderful with us!