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Women’s Intercultural Center

WInC Volunteer Technology/BAE Director shares he’s efforts in making his community better.

May 26 - Jun 1

Saif Almuhairbi

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A place where WOMEN learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.

Armando was a struggling college student with dreams of becoming a doctor when he first met Gloria. He had no one to help him with his college tuition except

for Gloria. She worked double shifts as a nurse to get him through medical school. She worked even harder to help him set up his practice. Then when he attained full success, he left Gloria for a younger woman. Few people remember what life was like and who was by their side in challenging and painful situations. From personal experience on both the

hurting and helping side, I know sometimes the smallest act of comfort brings relief. If you have not been helping those that are hurting to heal, it’s time for you do so. Don’t make excuses like “If I’d only known you needed my help.” or ask “Why didn’t you say something to me?” Instead knock on their door and offer a hug. Talking, crying and time helps heal and ease the pain that we may feel. When Armando rejected Gloria, she left the marriage in tears. Days later she wrote to him saying, “Take good care of yourself, my love, because before it was I that took care of you.” Life is full of bumps, pot holes, and washed out roads. When you see someone encounter them on the road of life, help them pave the way to

peace with a warm smile, an encouraging word, a listening heart, or an opportunity to laugh. At the Women’s Intercultural Center, we help turn a woman’s valley of tears into a place of springs and pools of refreshment all through the classes we provide. Helping women to heal & succeed,

Letter From the Executive Director

Former Reiki Master Visits WInC We always enjoy when former volunteers return to visit the Center. This week we welcomed Katherine Jasper, Reiki Master and former Center instructor, who visited and participated with students from the Reiki II class led by her former star pupil, Conchita Candelas. Katherine taught Conchita everything she knows and eventually made her a Reiki Master as well. As time progressed she slowly stepped aside to make a path for Conchita to begin leading the classes. What is Reiki? Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy." A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many

beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many of the people that have had a session at the Center have reported miraculous results. Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery. An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki Master (i.e. Conchita) and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life. Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught by Katherine and Conchita at the Center to women of all ages and backgrounds. If you are interested in learning Reiki, please check the fall schedule at http://www.womensinterculturalcenter.org/latest-news/400-2013-fall-semester-class-schedule. While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in in order to learn and use Reiki.

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Murals are a great way to tell stories! And the process allows for self expression, creativity and the ability to educate and inspire others. Girls Scout Troop 8049 created a mural for the Women’s Intercultural Center (WInC) that shared their vision of Center combined with what the Girls Scouts are all about.

The mural tells both our stories in a big, beautiful way. Thanks to their work, their message is being shared each day at the Center.

After some conversations with our Executive Director on the mural, the girls sketched potential images. Originally, they thought they had a smaller section of the wall to work on. They had to expand from their original story when a bigger wall space for the mural was given to them.

They outlined the design with pencil then painted over it with vibrant colors. As they worked on the mural each piece added to the story. Staffers, volunteers and participants enjoyed watching them work on the mural as it came together. It was quite a creative process. They also had so much fun doing the project and added new members to their troop.

Thank you Girls Scout Troop 8049 for making a positive change in the world of our participants!

Girl Scouts Create a Mural for WInC!

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A place where WOMEN learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.

“We were awed and inspired at the breadth of opportunities you are offering the women (and men) in Anthony. You are amazing! ~ Enid Tidwell

“Volunteering at the women's intercultural center has been a very positive experience. From helping the community and learning as you go. The center has a very joyful background with many positive activities and surrounded by respectful and intelligent people.” ~ Sam Gomez

What Others Say About Us The First Day of Class The first day of classes at the Center, the classrooms were buzzing with excitement and expectation, novelty and nerves, curiosity and uncertainty. In spite of how distracted the students seemed, they were paying attention. They wanted to find out as much as possible about the class they were taking and they were curious about their instructors - will she be interesting, easy to learn from? The first day of class sets the tone for the entire semester. This is our opportunity to stimulate excitement about the classes we of-fer, giving students a sense of classroom dynamics, and establishing expectations. We had a great turn out for our summer semester! Some classes had huge turnouts such as our cake decorating class led by Luzelva Muñoz. We had to move her class from our commercial kitchen to the gallery due to the overwhelming number of students that enrolled for the class. The great turn out this semester is due to the hard work and dedi-cation of our Ilse Arrieta, Programs Coordinator and Olivia Contreras, Spanish Citizenship Class Instructor who devoted a great part of their time distributing fliers throughout Southern NM and West TX.

Having problems? We just want you to know

that you can rely on us for anything

you might need. But more important

keep in mind at all times that you are very capable

of dealing with any complications in your life.

So do whatever you must feel whatever you must

and keep in mind at all times that we are here for you.

WInC Peer Support Network

Are Your Having Problems?

Sharing our Expertise  The Women’s Intercultural Center is nationally recognized for our work thanks to the many people that have published their experience with us in their books, the various presentations that have been made about us in various conferences across the country, awards we have received and most  importantly through the reviews made by our  participants, volunteers, supporters and donors through GreatNonprofits.org.   It is through this national recognition that we are often approached by other individuals or  organizations wanting to duplicate the work that we do or a portion of our programming.  We always welcome the opportunity to share our expertise.  Ruth Stovall recently had the opportunity to meet with us.  She wanted us to explain how we got started and how we currently operate our  organization.    Ruth is moving to a small fishing village in the Yucatan.  She is a quilter who had a brief  discussions with the social workers in the  Village about starting a women's sewing  cooperative. She found our organization on the internet and since she was currently living in Las Cruces, she knew she could learn from our  experience.    We met with Ruth and happily shared our expertise with the main emphasis of ensuring that the women from the village be asked their input and  willingness to become primary stakeholders of her vision of starting of sewing cooperative.   

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El Paso-area farmers markets bringing shoppers closer to their food source

For El Pasoans keen to take part in the ever-expanding movement toward buying and eating locally produced foods, area farmers markets provide a visible reminder that not all good things come from the local grocery store. And come next month, they'll have even more choices with the expansion of the Downtown Artist Market to include regional food producers. "Farmers markets play a concrete role both in terms of raising awareness and education around rebuilding those connections and those relationships, and in getting to know who's producing the food, whether it's farmers or backyard gardeners," said Aaron Sharratt of La Semilla Food Center, a nonprofit organization that runs community gardens and youth programs in the Paso del Norte and Southern New Mexico regions. Beginning June 8, the Downtown Artist Market will include a farmers market coordinated by the city's Museum and Cultural Affairs department with the help of La Semilla. The farmers market, which is funded in part through a grant from the USDA, will be the only year-round farmers market in El Paso. "That means we are going to have to do some interesting things in terms of what products we can offer in the fall," said Rebecca. Muñoz, Artist Market coordinator. "We are hoping to leverage backyard farmers and gardeners to fulfill certain needs as we move into a less productive harvest time in the region." In addition to fresh produce, the market is looking to provide other foodstuffs as well. "We will also be working with the public health department to ensure that we will be able to get people who make jams and jellies and preserves and home-baked breads out into the market, because there are some Texas cottage laws that prevent people from selling," Muñoz said.

Ardovino's Desert Crossing Farmers Market, now in its 12th year, attracts vendors from all over the region to a 35-acre property in Sunland Park. From late May to October, visitors can enjoy an early brunch at the restaurant, or choose coffee and pastries from one of the 45 regional food and produce vendors who sell their wares. "It's absolutely the biggest opening season we've got, in terms of farmers and artisans," said owner Robert Ardovino. "In terms of vegetables and fruits, we kind of have to wait to see what comes in. It's still early in the season, but we have all sorts of foodstuffs and food products from homemade granola to homemade cookies and breads. There's all sorts of homemade cakes. We have homemade salsas, many different varieties. There's beef, there's lamb, there's eggs. It's a pretty diverse food market." Although similar markets around the country have been enjoying a resurgence in popularity due to increased awareness of how food is produced and distributed, there is still some work that needs to be done to promote small-scale growers and ensure the long-term success of such projects, Ardovino said.

"We've allowed for developers to buy cheap farmland and essentially initiate sprawl, and at that point there's very little agriland left, and what is left just becomes bigger and bigger corporate farms," he said. "They plant monocrops; they put 100 acres of pecans; they put a hundred acres of corn; they put a hundred acres of cotton.

"When we started 12 years ago, we started with the intent to not only grow the market, but to grow the farmers that were coming to the market," Ardovino said. "We do live in an arid desert, so I want to promote it in a sustainable way. You have to be real smart about how you plant and what you plant."

Sharratt agreed about the need to cultivate the

people who will produce local and sustainable food in the region. The downtown market is looking for growers, backyard gardeners and food vendors from within 100 miles of downtown.

"We really need to grow a new generation of farmers," he said. "In New Mexico, the average age of farmers is around 60. So part of our challenge is kind of transforming what agriculture looks like. What's happened nationwide is kind of moving toward smaller-scale kind of more intensified forms of growing that in certain ways are more sustainable both from an environmental perspective, but (also) economically."

The growing number of farmers markets can be a valuable tool for communities trying to help their residents access fresh, healthy foods.

While farmers markets are often seen as catering to a more upscale demographic be-cause prices sometimes exceed retail, Sharratt said it is important to remember that more of that money goes directly to the grower. And to increase access to fresh produce for lower-income shoppers, La Semilla is looking into accepting SNAP, or food stamp, benefits at the downtown market. Many farmers markets across the country have begun to accept food stamps at their markets, including the New York City Greenmarkets and most of the farmers markets in Austin and San Antonio, as well those in Sante Fe and Albuquerque, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture website.

"It's really about learning about local food and the relationship of food and the city, and what can be done in terms of a policy perspective to support increased access," he said. "It's an educational tool, an economic development tool, a community building tool."

Love reading about our partners in the news: Aaron Sharrat, from La Semilla Food Center was featured in the following article:

By Maggie Asfahani Hajj \ Special to the Times Posted: 05/29/2013 12:11:53 AM MDT

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Congratulations to Olga Hernandez, WInC Volunteer, for becoming a grandmother!

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I was born in an amazing city down by the border in El Paso, TX. In my opinion this is a great city and one that I would want to raise my kids in. However, no matter how great your city may be, there are always people or organizations needing help around the corner. Growing up I was always taught the importance of volunteering and giving back to the community. But to be honest when I was young I never saw myself getting into volunteer work. I always thought my parents were just giving me something else to do to ensure I kept out of trouble. Fast forward and here I am 23 years old, going to school at the University of Phoenix, working at the United Parcel Service (UPS), and still using my extra time to volunteer for various organizations and helping others. I still remember the first time I began volunteering with my family at the Salvation Army. We went to help serve Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless. I remembered being so upset that I had to give up my Thanksgiving to serve food to others, so I had a pretty bad attitude about it. Although when I began

serving that food and meeting all the amazing people that were in there it changed my life. I never heard so many people being thankful and I heard amazing stories about each of these individuals. Some of these individuals just had some hard times in life

and it was organizations like the Salvation Army that was trying to help them recover. This is when I realized that not only was volunteering important but that it was so much fun as well. From then on I began volunteering with the Salvation Army, City of El Paso, City of Sunland Park, National Hispanic Environmental Youth Council, Coronado High School, National & Global Youth Service Day, City of Anthony, and currently I am devoting a lot of my time to the Women’s Intercultural Center. I have been told various times that I am crazy going to school, working, and still finding time to volunteer but I have found one of my true passions over at the Women’s Intercultural Center. Their mission is to provide a place for women to learn and work together to develop their Social, Spiritual, Economic, and Political Potential. This is still their mission but it has grown into just more than women and they are also helping individuals unleash their potential and break down any barriers these individuals believe is in the way towards their success. They are showing that no

matter what that they can overcome. The Center has also provided me the great opportunity of revamping a program to teach individuals from across the country about Border & Immigration Issues known as the Border Awareness Experience (BAE). Human rights is a huge issue that is all over the world and with the growing amount of immigration debates going on across the country it was an issue I wanted to teach about. The BAE program allows me the opportunity to teach and show how border life and immigration issues affect everyone nationally rather than just the border communities. There are many viewpoints across the nation about immigration which is why I aim to provide an opportunity for students to learn both sides of the issue. The biggest problem I am looking to solve is to ensure that individuals across the country learn and question all of the information they hear from both sides of an issue rather than just choosing one without the appropriate knowledge and influence from the media and other entities. I am helping the immigrant community at a national level by raising awareness and understanding of border issues that impact us nationally and promoting a cross-cultural dialogue. It has been my dream to do something like this for years and I love it. This program provides a tacit understanding of the issues so participants can form their own opinions about U.S. and Mexican policies in relationship to the present day globalization process. The in-depth experience takes participants beyond the sound bytes of the nightly news. The personal face of immigration and border life is a face that impacts the participants and one they can learn from. This program prepares participants to take actions on immigration issues presented in one's local community.

My efforts to make my community better By Saif Almuhairbi, WInC Volunteer Technology/BAE Director

Saif with BAE Participant from Sienna College based in Loudonville, NY

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A place where WOMEN learn and work together to develop their SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL POTENTIAL.

Make Change Happen with WInC If you want to learn how to make a difference in your life, the life of

your family & in your community, WInC can prepare YOU. WInC’s signature program uses a 3 pronged programming approach

to EDUCATE, EMPOWER & ENGAGE YOU. Programming includes alternative education & personal development, economic self

-sufficiency, consciousness raising for change and a strong peer support network. Add tools & resources individualized to help

YOU overcome barriers & challenges. All it takes is just one class

& YOU will be convinced that at WInC YOU can achieve nothing less than success!

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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.

dates to remember For additional information please contact us at 575-882-5556 or the contact number listed next to the event announcement.

June Come and celebrate Fathers Day. There will be a potluck at 12 p.m. Share with us your favorite dish and have fun. 13

Reading Camp for elementary through high school students. One hour of tutoring in building reading comprehension to help get students

ahead before the school year starts. Based on grade level, the camp runs from 1 to 4pm. The Reading Camps is being given in collaboration with our partners Andele Tutors.

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July

Independence Day. In observance of the holiday, WInC will be closed. 4

It is through the generosity of our donors that we are able to make a difference in the lives of the women that walk through our doors. Thank you for believing in us and helping us be catalyst for change in the lives of others. We are so grateful for your support! Special thanks go out to: Sr. Judith P. Healy for her recent financial donation that

was given in honor of one of our founders and former Executive Director, Sr. Kathleen Erickson!

Omar Burciaga, a graduate of our Small Business

Development Academy, who continually keeps paying it forward to the Center through his generous donations.

The many donors who have so generously given

anonymously either through financial or item donations. And also the many volunteers that make our operations

possible. Thank you for generously donating your time and expertise to us and our participants.

To find out how you can help us continue our mission of providing a place for women to learn and work together to develop their social, spiritual, economic and political potential please visit our webpage at http://www.womensinterculturalcenter.org/donate or call at 575-882-5556.

Thank you for your support!

Housing Forum: Come learn about the pre-liminary findings from Dona Ana County’s Fair Housing Study, and offer your perspec-tives, commentary, and experiences with fair

housing in the County. Starts at 6pm For more information contact Jessica Gardener jessicaga@donaanacounty.org

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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