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Letter from the Editor

At the Women’s Intercultural Center, we firmly believe that being present for our community means more than just showing up. We take every opportunity when we are at the table we ask tough questions. Whether we are attending public forums, collaborating with local partners, or sitting in on official proceedings, we make it a priority to advocate for the everyday situations that impact our participants.

Our attendance at every Naturalization Ceremony is a prime example. While we go to celebrate the breathtaking achievements of our new citizens, we also use those moments to connect directly with USCIS personnel. Having a direct line to officials allows us to seek clarity on complex cases and ensure our students navigate the system with complete confidence.

Recently, this proactive approach made all the difference for a participant in our current Spanish Citizenship class. After submitting her N-400 application through an outside preparer, we discovered the form was filled with a series of significant errors. When she sought advice from an immigration attorney, he suggested she simply proceed with the interview as-is and hire legal counsel later if things went wrong.

We knew our participant deserved better than a "wait and see" risk. We were convinced that resolving the errors beforehand was the safest, most effective path forward and we were right.

While considering whether to upload corrections to her online portal, we brought the specific scenario directly to USCIS personnel during this week’s ceremony. Thanks to that conversation, we learned the single best method to safeguard her application: preparing a clear paper document detailing every necessary correction for her to hand directly to her officer at the start of her future interview.

We love having the opportunity to ask the right questions, untangle complex issues, and pave a smoother path for the women we serve. Having a seat at the table is a privilege, and we will never stop using our voice to make sure our participants are protected, prepared, and empowered every step of the way.

Warmly,

Mary Carter
Editor & Executive Director
Women’s Intercultural Center

 

From Buttercream to New Beginnings: Celebrating the Marriage of Veronica Velez and Jay Lent

When Veronica Velez first walked through the doors of the Women’s Intercultural Center, referred by Health and Human Services, she was navigating one of the hardest transitions of her life. Having spent years as a successful fast-food restaurant manager, a diagnosis of Lupus suddenly made it impossible to keep working her physically demanding job. As a single mother of three daughters, she watched her savings drain away while trying to make ends meet, completely uncertain of what the future held.

Looking for a path forward, Veronica enrolled in WInC’s cake decorating class. Her journey didn't start with instant perfection. During her very first session, a frustrating battle with buttercream led her to believe that cake decorating simply wasn't for her. Yet with the gentle persistence and encouragement of her instructor, Veronica tried again.

What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Veronica wasn't just learning to decorate, she was creating genuine masterpieces, eventually surpassing the skills of her teacher. Recognizing her talent, the Center gave her her very first commercial mixer. That mixer became the engine behind Creative Cakes, a business venture that allowed her to build a sustainable new career and provide for her three daughters as a single mother.

Never forgetting the community that supported her, Veronica returned to the Center as a volunteer cake instructor to pass her knowledge on to others. Though her busy schedule has evolved, she continues to lend a hand wherever WInC needs operations support.

Today, her WInC family came together with pure joy to celebrate her next big milestone: her wedding to Jay Lent. True to her warm heart, Veronica made sure to invite her entire Center family to share in the celebration.

Huge congratulations to Jay and Veronica on their wedding day! From her time as a participant at the Center to her incredible work as a volunteer today, Veronica has been a beloved part of our community for years. Seeing her step into this new chapter alongside Jay brings so much joy to everyone here. May your marriage be filled with endless laughter, love, and a lifetime of shared happiness. Cheers to the newlyweds!

 

A Reunion of Art and Heart

There is nothing quite like watching members of our Women's Intercultural Center family shine out in the world. This week, a group of WInC volunteers spent a wonderful day at the Franciscan Art Festival in Mesilla Park, coming together with one clear mission in mind: to support our beloved former participant and current volunteer, Lupita Zacarias.

Lupita’s booth was a brilliant display of creativity and passion, drawing admirers from across the festival grounds. Proud of everything she has accomplished, our volunteers made sure to show their love in the best way possible by taking home pieces of her incredible artwork! Each piece purchased was a celebration of her journey, her growth, and the artistic spirit she brings to our community every day.

As if the day wasn’t special enough, serendipity stepped in to make it unforgettable. Set up right next door as Lupita’s neighbor for the event was none other than Gustavo Muñiz, a former WInC instructor. The connection was instant. Recognizing her, Gustavo turned to Lupita and said, "I saw that the Women's Intercultural Center featured you on their social media pages!" That simple comment opened the door to a warm conversation, as the two connected over their shared experiences, fond memories, and deep connection to the Center.

As soon as our WInC group realized Gustavo was next door, we immediately rushed over to shower him with the same love and support. It was a joy to catch up with him and learn about his latest creative endeavors. Today, Gustavo is sharing his remarkable talent in printmaking and stamping with the next generation, teaching at the Alma d'Arte Charter High School in Las Cruces. Standing by his booth, we admired his intricate, striking stamped prints.

It was a full-circle day filled with pride, warm reunions, and beautiful art. No matter where our paths lead, the bonds built at WInC keep us connected, supporting, celebrating, and inspiring one another every step of the way.

 

Sunday Rest? Not When Dreams Are on the Line!

Sunday rest? Not when there are major milestones to reach! The Women’s Intercultural Center team was hard at work on Sunday printing, cutting, and laminating study cards for our upcoming Citizenship Class. Every single flashcard prepped represents one step closer to a life-changing goal for our dedicated participants as they prepare for their naturalization exams.

It takes hours of hands-on preparation to assemble these personalized learning materials, but the energy in the room was pure inspiration. Reflecting on the team's efforts, Allison Wood, a former BAE participant, summed it up perfectly: "A lot of work but for an incredible cause."

Watching our volunteers dedicate their weekend to set our students up for success is a testament to what WInC is all about. We know that behind every study card is a future citizen ready to thrive, and we can’t wait to see them reach their goals!

 

Nourishing New Beginnings

The first day of a new class is always filled with a mixture of excitement, anticipation, and purpose. As our newest cohort of citizenship students walked through the doors of the Women's Intercultural Center to begin their journey toward naturalization, they were greeted not only by study materials and warm smiles, but by a wonderful surprise that truly warmed their hearts.

Our amazing partners at La Semilla Food Center welcomed our students on day one with 30 fresh, beautifully packed vegetable boxes! Packed with vibrant, wholesome produce, this thoughtful gift provided our class with a healthy, nourishing start to their educational path ahead.

Learning and preparing for the citizenship exam takes immense dedication, focus, and energy. Knowing that their community is standing behind them, caring for both their minds and their everyday well-being makes all the difference in the world.

We are so deeply grateful to La Semilla for their ongoing partnership and unwavering commitment to the health and vitality of our community. Thank you for helping us nourish the dreams, bodies, and futures of our students as they take these powerful first steps!

 

Big Changes Coming to the WInC Little Library!

Exciting news is brewing on the shelves of the Women's Intercultural Center! This weekend, our beloved Little Library is getting a total refresh, and we are preparing to unveil a brand-new chapter for our neighborhood readers.

If you’ve stopped by lately, you know how much love our little community library receives. To keep it welcoming and vibrant, our team is rolling up their sleeves for a full deep clean, scrubbing down every shelf so everything stays fresh and bright. To make room for the transformation, we are doing a total clear-out of our current collection. That means this is your absolute last chance to swing by and grab any of the current books before they are swapped out!

Once the shelves are sparkling, we will be restocking the library with a brand-new batch of fantastic reads, perfect for book lovers of all ages.

Want to be a part of the transformation? We would love your help! We are currently accepting donations to keep our collection growing. If you have gently used books, CDs, movies, or video games you'd like to pass along, bring them by the Center to add to our Little Library.

Stop by this weekend to grab a final read from the current stock, drop off a donation, and get ready to discover your next favorite book on our refreshed shelves!

 

New Words, New Friends, New Beginnings: ESL Classes Kick Off at WInC!

The air this week was filled with anticipation, warm smiles, and lively energy as the Women’s Intercultural Center officially kicked off the first day of our ESL (English as a Second Language) classes!

To start things off, the students and the instructor gathered into a big circle to break the ice. Through shared stories, lighthearted introductions, and plenty of laughs, the nervous jitters quickly melted away. From the very first moment, our classroom transformed into a safe, encouraging space where everyone feels supported to speak up, try new words, and learn at their own pace.

Learning a new language is a powerful journey; one that opens doors, builds confidence, and creates lifelong connections. Beyond practicing vocabulary and grammar, today was truly about building community and celebrating the courage it takes to step into a classroom and take on a new challenge.

We are so proud to walk this path alongside our students. We can't wait to watch everyone’s skills, confidence, and friendships grow deeper with every single lesson this semester. Welcome to all our new ESL learners, here’s to an amazing term ahead!

 

ICAN Class Preps a Nutritious Three Bean Salad

The gallery at the Women’s Intercultural Center was filled with bright colors and wonderful aromas this week as our ICAN (Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition) class gathered to whip up a crisp, refreshing batch of Three Bean Salad!

Designed to show how healthy eating can be both simple and affordable, this week's featured recipe was an absolute hit with everyone involved. Our participants paired green beans, hearty pinto beans, and rich red kidney beans with finely diced crisp bell peppers to create a colorful dish packed with plant-based protein and fiber.

To bring all the fresh ingredients together, the class whisked up a light, flavorful dressing using a simple blend of apple cider vinegar, vegetable oil, a touch of sugar, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. The result was a delicious balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors that showcased just how easy it is to transform simple pantry staples into a vibrant meal.

Beyond mastering the recipe, the class shared tips on meal prepping, budget-friendly shopping, and tweaking classic recipes to fit their families' tastes. Everyone left with satisfied palates, new culinary confidence, and an easy recipe to recreate at home!

 

Patty Shares Homemade Chiles Curtidos with her WInC Family

Generosity and fresh flavors were on full display at the Women’s Intercultural Center this week, thanks to our wonderful participant, Patty!

After receiving her fresh produce box from our partners at La Semilla Food Center, Patty put those beautiful, locally grown peppers straight to work in her kitchen. She whipped up a batch of traditional chiles curtidos and was kind enough to bring some to share with the WInC team.

To say they were a hit would be an understatement! The flavor was truly top-tier: perfectly tangy, with just the right kick of spice, and packed with aromatic garlic and herbs that brought out the vibrant quality of the farm-fresh peppers. Food brings our community together, that turn locally grown harvests into shared moments of joy.

A huge, heartfelt thank you to Patty for sharing her culinary talent and local goodness with us all!

 

A Day of Joy & Triumph: Celebrating New Citizens Carmen & Elva

September 11, 2026, will forever stand out as a day of pure pride and overwhelming emotion for the Women’s Intercultural Center family. On this historic day, two of our extraordinary students, Carmen and Elva, took their oaths of allegiance and officially became naturalized citizens of the United States!

Carmen’s path to this milestone was a masterclass in resilience and academic excellence. Balancing a full-time job alongside her rigorous studies, Carmen brought unmatched focus to every single class, earning her place as the top student in her cohort. Encouraged by her husband, she applied for citizenship under the provision for spouses of U.S. citizens, which allows legal residents married to citizens to apply after three years. Proving her exceptional dedication, Carmen made WInC history by becoming our very first student to successfully pass the updated 128-civics-questions exam! On ceremony day, her husband and parents stood by her side, beaming with pride as she reached the finish line.

Elva’s journey was a powerful testament to strength and perseverance over hardship. Facing health struggles and navigating visual impairment with partial blindness in her right eye, Elva never allowed obstacles to dim her resolve. She pushed forward, dedicating countess hours to studying the civics material. Though nerve-wracking jitters set in on the morning of her interview, the preparation she received at the Center and the unwavering support of her family kept her grounded. Accompanied by her daughter at the ceremony, Elva passed with flying colors. To make her achievement even sweeter, her grandsons are celebrating their heroic grandmother by taking the entire family on a dream trip to Europe!

To our newest U.S. citizens: we are so proud of your dedication, honored to have shared this journey with you, and excited for all the bright opportunities ahead. Welcome, Carmen and Elva!

 

Building Bridges of Healing: Connecting Hearts in Times of Grief

At the Women’s Intercultural Center (WInC), we believe deeply in the transformational power of human connection. We know that when life brings unimaginable grief, no woman should ever have to walk that heavy path alone.

When Atanasia came to us carrying the profound heartbreak of losing her son, the WInC team connected her directly with Josefina, a dedicated thanatologist and fellow WInC participant who possesses both the professional expertise and deep empathy needed to navigate the delicate journey of bereavement. Through Josefina’s gentle guidance, Atanasia will find a safe, compassionate space to begin processing her tragic loss.

We build these vital bridges connecting women in their most vulnerable moments with the care, community, and professional resources necessary to heal, regain strength, and rebuild their lives.

We are so grateful to Josefina for extending her gift of healing to a sister in need, and we honor Atanasia’s courage as she takes steps toward peace. Together, we ensure that through every season of life, no one walks alone.

 

One Step Closer

Submitting the N-400 Application for Naturalization is a massive milestone, and today, our student Lina officially entered the home stretch toward becoming a U.S. citizen!

There was a palpable sense of accomplishment at the Women’s Intercultural Center as Lina finalized her paperwork. To help ease any anticipation, our executive director walked her through the road ahead. Once the N-400 is submitted, the process moves into a predictable sequence of key steps from receiving the official notice of receipt and attending biometrics appointments to completing the naturalization interview and, finally, taking the Oath of Allegiance. Knowing what to expect at each stage gives our participants the confidence to step forward without fear.

Lina’s milestone is part of an inspiring trend across our citizenship cohort. Determination has been caught, and out of her entire class, all but one student has now successfully submitted their N-400 applications!

Watching these hardworking women support each other through study sessions, practice interviews, and application prep has been nothing short of extraordinary. We are so proud of Lina and her peers for taking this life-changing step, and we can’t wait to celebrate with each of them as they cross the finish line to citizenship!