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Letter from the Editor
There is a unique kind of energy that fills the Women’s Intercultural Center, and it is powered entirely by the people who walk through our doors. Whether we are celebrating major milestones or sharing everyday moments of connection, our community continues to prove that we are stronger, brighter, and more resilient when we stand together.
In this issue, we celebrate the incredible persistence of our students and participants. From Josefina officially achieving her dream of U.S. citizenship to Miguel taking a major step forward with his biometrics appointment, we are continually reminded of the dedication it takes to navigate complex systems and reach the finish line. When bureaucratic hurdles pop up like tracking down missing paperwork or pivoting to online portals, our community meets those challenges head-on with confidence and mutual support.
We also see the magic of our center reflected in hands-on creativity and shared traditions. From Lupita Zacarias leading a joyful workshop crafting vibrant Lele dolls to our ICAN classes cooking up delicious, healthy meals with fresh produce from La Semilla Food Center, culture and community go hand in hand. That same spirit of care extends to our physical home, thanks to wonderful volunteers like Alicia, who brought her own background and heart into painting our spaces.
Above all, this issue is a testament to the generosity that surrounds us. Whether it is Walmart gifting fresh sunglasses to our citizenship class, long-time partners like Ms. Fisher embarking on a well-deserved retirement after forty dedicated years, or neighbors stopping by with homemade treats and visits from the next generation, these moments remind us of what family truly means.
Thank you for being the heart of WInC. As you read this newsletter, we hope you feel the warmth, creativity, and bright future we are building together.
In solidarity and community,
Mary Carter
Editor & Executive Director
Women’s Intercultural Center
Supporting St. Anthony Church and Our Volunteers
This past Sunday offered a simple yet meaningful moment of connection as we stopped by the St. Anthony Church food sale to pick up steaming cups of menudo. Bringing those comforting cups back to the Women’s Intercultural Center became a small act of gratitude for our dedicated weekend volunteers, a way to start their morning with warmth and let them know how deeply we appreciate the time and heart they pour into our mission.
The visit to the parish hall fueled our hardworking team with an incredible meal and allowed us to support a local fundraiser and stand alongside another organization that serves our community with care. WInC’s strength grows every time we lift-up our neighbors, share a meal, and choose connection.
Seamstress by day. Master spy by night.
At just 22 years old, Policarpa Salavarrieta, known across Colombia as La Pola carried an entire revolution in plain sight. While stitching and mending garments for the Spanish elite in 1817 Bogotá, she quietly memorized troop movements, forged travel documents, and recruited new members into the underground resistance. Every thread she pulled was part of a larger fight for independence.
When she was eventually captured and sentenced to death, La Pola refused the customary kneeling position reserved for traitors. Instead, she stood tall, facing the firing squad with unwavering resolve. Her final words echoed the courage she had shown throughout her short life: “I have more than enough courage to suffer this death and a thousand more.”
Her bravery continues to inspire generations.
This story is part of our WInC series honoring women whose courage and conviction helped shape their communities, their regions, and the world.
Where Creativity Shines
The Women’s Intercultural Center has long been a place where creativity flourishes, and this week we’re celebrating one of the artists who continues to brighten our community. Judith, our former volunteer cake‑decorating instructor, is still sharing her remarkable talent in ways that reflect both skill and heart. She recently completed a beautiful diamond painting as a gift for her sister. It was a shimmering piece created with patience, precision, and the kind of love that shows in every detail.
At WInC, art has always been more than a pastime. It is something shared, something offered, something that carries a piece of the creator to someone they care about. Judith has embodied that spirit for years, through her classes, her kindness, and now through this thoughtful creation.
Our Center remains a home where artists grow, inspire, and uplift one another. Judith’s latest work shows how deeply creativity continues to thrive within our WInC family.
Sweetness, Freshness, and Community
Our ESL class at the Women’s Intercultural Center has a way of turning an ordinary day into something joyful, and this past Monday was a perfect example. The classroom filled with refreshing slices of juicy watermelon, delicious coffee cupcakes, and a special surprise from Alicia, who brought her homemade apple empanadas to share. With every bite, the room felt brighter and the sense of community grew stronger.
At WInC, food is a gesture of care, a connection to culture, and a simple way to bring people together. What began as a language class has quickly become a gathering of friends, laughter, and shared traditions. WInC is the place where learning thrives with kindness and community.
A Masterclass in Patience and Personality
There is something special about watching a simple strand of yarn become a piece of art, and this week Priscilla showed us just how much beauty can come from patience, skill, and imagination. She shared two of her handcrafted creations with our WInC community, and each one showcased the depth of her talent.
Her first piece, a 3D geometric hanging mobile, immediately caught our attention. The clean lines, thoughtful color choices, and careful construction come together in a way that feels both modern and soothing. Every wrap and knot reflects hours of focused work, resulting in a sculpture that seems to move gracefully with the air around it.
Priscilla also brought an expressive little bird made entirely from yarn, a creation full of charm and personality. The delicate feather accents give it a lifelike touch, showing how texture can bring character and emotion into fiber art. It’s a small piece with a big presence, and it left everyone smiling.
We are grateful to Priscilla for sharing her work with us. WInC is a place where creativity thrives and inspiration grows when participants share their gifts with one another.
Thank you, Priscilla, for continuing to brighten our community with your beautiful creations.
A Perspective from Below, Pointing Towards New Horizons
On October 10, we will welcome 12 students from Creighton University for a week of living, learning, and connecting here in the heart of our community. Instead of studying the borderland from a distance, they’ll spend their days alongside the people who shape it like neighbors, leaders, and everyday changemakers who strengthen this region through compassion and collaboration. Their week will be grounded in shared meals, honest conversations, and firsthand experiences of what it looks like when a community truly cares for its own.
And when the day’s activities wind down, our rooftop will be waiting. Those familiar red stairs lead to a quiet space where conversations deepen, reflection comes naturally, and the morning skies and evening horizons offer a moment of calm.
Reflecting on her own visit, past BAE participant Allison Wood shared, “This experience meant the world to me, and I loved those sunsets on the rooftop.”
We look forward to welcoming the students into our home once again and sharing the meaningful moments that make this experience unforgettable.
Finding Harmony Together
At the Women’s Intercultural Center, our participants bring a wonderful sense of unity, filling our space with music and shared learning. Around the music stands, students gather to listen, practice, and find their rhythm together, turning each lesson into a moment of connection. One chord at a time, confidence grows as hands move across the strings and notes begin to take shape.
With patience and encouragement guiding every session, the classroom becomes a welcoming place where different experiences meet in harmony. Each instrument and each player adds something unique, yet the goal remains beautifully shared: to listen, to learn, and to play as a community.
WInC is a place where music feels even richer when we do it together.
A Delicious Week in ICAN Class
Our ICAN class prepared a vibrant, refreshing pasta salad this week that brought a burst of color and nutrition straight to the table. With curly rotini, crisp cucumbers, sweet peas, crunchy red onions, and bright bell peppers, each step of the recipe became a hands‑on lesson in balancing flavor, texture, and fresh ingredients.
Cooking together continues to be one of the most meaningful ways our community explores healthy eating. A simple dish becomes an opportunity to learn, connect, and enjoy the satisfaction of creating something wholesome and delicious from scratch.
Celebrating the Heart of Our Volunteers
Rain or shine, our volunteers show up with the same steady commitment that keeps our community moving forward. Whether they’re lifting heavy boxes, preparing spaces for upcoming events, or taking care of the quiet behind‑the‑scenes tasks that make everything run smoothly, their dedication never falters.
At the Women’s Intercultural Center, we know that every accomplishment is built on the strength, kindness, and generosity of the people who give their time so wholeheartedly. Their work, both the visible and the unseen, is what allows our mission to grow and our community to thrive.
Behind the Scenes and Straight from the Heart
People often ask what an ordinary weekday looks like behind the scenes at the Women’s Intercultural Center. The truth is simple: a little bit of everything, carried by a whole lot of heart.
Long before classes begin, our volunteers are already shaping the day. They’re the welcoming voice at the reception desk, answering questions with patience and kindness. They’re the steady hands setting up chairs, organizing supplies, and preparing classrooms for the morning cohorts. They’re the storytellers capturing our community’s spirit through photos and posts, and the quiet problem‑solvers keeping paperwork, schedules, and administrative details running smoothly.
Their work doesn’t just keep the Center operating, it ensures that anyone who walks through our doors feels seen, supported, and immediately at home.
To every volunteer who gives their time, energy, and warmth to this community: thank you. You make this place what it is.
Celebrating Our Newest Citizenship Cohort
Every time our classroom doors open, a powerful dream walks in with our participants. Their bright, determined faces reflect the very heart of the Women’s Intercultural Center and the purpose that has guided our Citizenship Program since 2008.
For 16 years, our Citizenship Classes have proudly maintained a 100% success rate, and we intend to keep that tradition going. Each lesson, each practice interview, and each history review becomes a meaningful step toward a milestone that strengthens families and uplifts our borderland community.
To our newest cohort: your dedication inspires us. We see the late‑night studying, the note taking, and the commitment you bring to every class. We already look forward to the day you take your oath, raise your flags, and celebrate becoming naturalized U.S. citizens.
Thank you for trusting WInC with your journey. Your success is our joy, and your courage enriches our entire community.
A Sweet Visit
We had such a wonderful visit this week from Nancy and her sweet baby! It was so lovely catching up, helping them pick out some books from our Free Little Library, and enjoying the delicious homemade beef jerky she brought for our volunteers.
This special treat is sold at the barbershop that Nancy and her husband own, making it a true family affair since their 18-year-old son works there alongside them. It is especially heartwarming for us to watch him there, knowing he literally grew up right here at the Center! This visit also marked a very special milestone: it was the first time her second son was visiting, whom she conceived 13 years after having her first child.
Nancy’s roots with our community run deep. She was once one of our dedicated volunteer instructors; she and her husband Armando used to teach dance, and Nancy also taught manicure classes. Over the years, we have always been there for them whenever they needed us, especially as they launched their own business. While running a family business keeps them extremely busy, we always cherish these wonderful moments to catch up.
We truly love seeing our WInC family drop by. Thank you for making our week, Nancy!
Overcoming Hurdles
Navigating bureaucratic hurdles can really test your patience. Gabby recently ran into a frustrating obstacle when she needed her husband's death certificate to process his pension. She had originally mailed a request for the document, but when she contacted the state office to inquire about the delay, she was told they had never received it, it was obviously lost in the mail.
Naturally, she felt frustrated and angry when she was asked to resubmit her request and pay the processing fee all over again, either through the mail or online. However, we didn’t miss a beat. We helped her switch to completing the process online, which not only streamlined everything but also guaranteed that she will receive the certificate by a specific date. By moving to the digital portal, we helped her bypass the uncertainty of postal mail and move forward with total confidence!
A Story of Compassion in Action
"Our volunteers are truly the heart of our Center, always ready to lend a helping hand!"
Yesterday evening, a few of our wonderful volunteers were leaving the movie theater when they noticed someone in need. A woman using an electric wheelchair had gotten stuck in the sand and rocks on the sidewalk while returning from Walmart, and her motorized chair had unfortunately broken down.
When trying to fix the chair didn't work, our team stepped in right away, pushing her out of the dirt and over to the nearby bus stop. But rather than driving off, they felt called to do much more. They went back to offer her a ride home.
Getting her home was no small feat! While she was easy to lift, hoisting her heavy motorized wheelchair into the vehicle took the combined strength of three dedicated volunteers. Once they arrived at her apartment complex, their act of service continued: they took her up to the 4th floor, brought in packages waiting by her door, and helped transfer her safely to her indoor wheelchair. She couldn't stop thanking them for their incredible kindness.
Looking back, there was a wonderful irony to the evening. Our volunteers had originally planned to see an earlier movie, but unexpected delays pushed their schedule back almost as if they were meant to be in that exact place at that exact time.
We are so proud and grateful to have volunteers who embody compassion, dedication, and selfless service every single day. Thank you for making such a profound difference in our community!
Honoring Ms. Fisher on Her Retirement
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude and warmest congratulations to the amazing Ms. Fisher on her recent retirement! After an incredible 40-year career at Walmart, she is stepping into a well-deserved new chapter of rest and relaxation.
Over the last couple of years, through our ongoing work together with Walmart, Ms. Fisher became much more than a great corporate partner. She truly became a cherished part of our WInC family, bringing warmth, kindness, and dedication to everything we shared.
We stopped by this week to drop off a small token of our appreciation and to remind her that no matter where retirement takes her, she will always have a home with us at WInC. Thank you, Ms. Fisher, for your extraordinary years of dedication, steadfast support, and wonderful friendship!
Brighter Spaces, Loving Hands: Thank You, Alicia!
A huge and heartfelt thank you goes out to Alicia for generously volunteering her time and talent to paint the bathrooms at the Center!
Her care, dedication, and generosity truly brighten our physical space and lift the spirits of everyone who walks through our doors. Alicia is an active and valued participant in our Art class and guitar class. Although she is a retired teacher, she learned hands-on construction skills through her father, who used to be a construction worker, expertise that certainly came in handy for this project! We are so deeply grateful for the warmth, talent, and love she brings into every single corner she touches, making our community feel even more like home.
