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Letter from the Editor
Recently, researchers highlighted the village of Bolotana in Sardinia, where women are living well into their nineties and hundreds at rates rarely seen anywhere else. Their longevity isn’t a mystery. It is the result of community, continuity, and a culture that honors women’s daily contributions.
Bolotana’s women show us something powerful: when women are surrounded by connection, purpose, and care, their lives stretch forward with strength. Their elders are not tucked away or forgotten. They are present, valued, and woven into the rhythm of the village. Their stories are carried forward. Their wisdom is used. Their presence is felt.
This resonates deeply with us at the Women’s Intercultural Center.
For more than three decades, our Center has been a place where women gather, learn, rebuild, and create new chapters for themselves and their families. Every day we see how community shapes fortitude. We see how women thrive when they are supported, encouraged, and given space to grow. We see how shared meals, shared stories, and shared responsibilities strengthen the body and the spirit.
Bolotana’s example proves that longevity is not only about years lived. It is about the quality of those years. It’s about relationships, purpose, and the sense of belonging. It is about women knowing they matter.
Here in Southern NM and West TX, we carry that same belief. We honor the women who built this Center. We honor the women who walk through our doors today. And we honor the generations who will follow, inheriting the strength created by every act of kindness, every class taught, every volunteer hour, every shared meal, and every moment of courage.
Mary Carter
Editor & Executive Director
Women’s Intercultural Center
Building Confidence Word by Word
Transformation often happens in quiet, courageous moments when a student takes a deep breath, steps up to the whiteboard, and speaks a new language for the very first time.
At the heart of these moments is Elvia, our incredible English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor.
Teaching a new language is about far more than grammar rules, vocabulary lists, or verb conjugations. For Center participants’, learning English is a key that unlocks new possibilities: navigating medical appointments with confidence, advocating for their children at school, finding new employment opportunities, and feeling fully at home in their community.
Elvia brings warmth, patience, and deep enthusiasm to every single class she leads. She creates a welcoming environment where mistakes are celebrated as steps toward growth, and where every small victory from pronouncing a tricky sound to holding a full conversation is met with collective applause from fellow classmates.
Through her commitment and passion, Elvia is helping women find their voices, build lifelong friendships, and step into their power.
We are so grateful for Elvia and the dedicated instructors and volunteers who make our adult education programs a vibrant sanctuary of learning and connection.
Want to support or join our adult education programs? Whether you are interested in volunteering, joining a class, or supporting student learning materials, reach out to us at the Women's Intercultural Center or visit us in person to see our classes in action!
Honoring Día de los Muertos in Alma’s Yarn Art Class
The Center’s classrooms are always filled with color, conversation, and hands-on creativity. Yet during this season of remembrance, our Yarn Art class has felt especially magical.
Under the thoughtful guidance of our wonderful instructor, Alma Urrutia, participants have been pouring their hearts into crafting stunning handcrafted pieces in honor of Día de los Muertos.
Alma’s passion for her craft shines through every lesson. She spends thoughtful time researching and curating unique, creative designs that inspire our participants to learn new techniques while honoring rich cultural traditions. She creates a warm, encouraging space where story-sharing and art weave naturally together.
This month, students brought these elegant, yarn-wrapped Catrina figures to life. Adorned with vibrant colors, intricate details, and characteristic wide-brimmed hats, each unique creation pays homage to loved ones who have passed while celebrating the beauty of memory and heritage.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Alma for her endless dedication, patience, and creative vision! Thank you for continually inspiring our WInC community and helping us bring such meaningful artwork into full bloom.
Interested in joining her class?
Alma’s Yarn Art Class meets weekly at the Center and is open to all skill levels! Stop by or call us at 575-882-5556 to learn more about the Yarn Art Class and the other classes we offer.
Fulfilling a Promise
This week, we are so proud to shine a spotlight on Virginia, our dedicated volunteer Spanish Citizenship instructor.
Virginia’s journey with us began as a participant. She came to the Center with a profound personal dream: to study, prepare, and become a U.S. citizen. When she achieved that milestone, she made a quiet promise to herself that once she reached her goal, she would turn around and help others do the same.
True to her words, Virginia kept that promise.
Every Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m., Virginia steps into the classroom ready to teach. Standing at the board, she breaks down complex lessons while students follow along, take notes, and work through their materials. Because she has walked this exact path herself, she brings an unmatched level of empathy, patience, and understanding to the room. She knows firsthand the weight, the nerves, and the ultimate joy of the naturalization journey.
Her classes are about far more than just memorizing civic facts or historical dates. They are a space of encouragement, preparation, and community. Around the tables, students study, learn, and lean on one another, guided by an instructor who believes in them completely. Through her steady support, Virginia helps build the confidence her students need to step into a brand-new chapter of their lives.
Virginia's dedication has turned a personal promise into a weekly act of love and service.
Thank you, Virginia, for your passion, your generosity, and your unwavering commitment to our community. You achieved your dream,
and every Tuesday night, you make sure others know their dreams are within reach, too.
Leading with Heart and Hands-On Dedication
At the Women’s Intercultural Center, leadership is about rolling up your sleeves, sitting side-by-side with our participants, and walking the path toward a brighter future together. This week, we are proud to shine a spotlight on someone whose work is the beating heart of our center: Mary, our Executive Director, as well as our dedicated English and Daytime Spanish Citizenship instructor.
Mary’s commitment to our community is deeply personal, practical, and fueled by a profound sense of purpose. Rooted in the lasting inspiration of her mother, her mission is clear: to help individuals overcome barriers and pursue their biggest dreams.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, our classrooms transform into spaces of focused learning and shared encouragement. Whether she is leading an English citizenship class or guiding students through daytime Spanish citizenship preparation, Mary’s teaching style is entirely hands-on. She thoughtfully designs her own lessons and custom flashcards tailored specifically to what our WInC community needs, turning daunting civics milestones into manageable, approachable steps.
That deliberate preparation yields incredible results: the Center proudly maintains a 100% success rate in its citizenship classes!
Yet the magic of Mary’s classroom goes far beyond test scores. She doesn't teach from a distance; she sits right beside her students. Together, they read, practice English, and work through complex questions. Through interactive interview simulations and open conversations where every question is welcomed, Mary ensures that students are not just memorizing facts but building the genuine confidence they need for what comes next.
By investing her time, her care, and her undivided attention in every person who walks through our doors, Mary helps transform a room of learners into a community of thriving, empowered individuals. Her belief in her students quickly becomes a belief in themselves.
Thank you, Mary, for your tireless leadership, your boundless compassion, and the hope you ignite in our community every single day!
A Delicious Surprise from Alicia!
Volunteers pour boundless energy into supporting our WInC community every single day in teaching classes, managing programs, stocking the pantry, and welcoming every visitor with open arms. Yet behind every great mission is a community that looks out for its own!
Recently, our hardworking crew were all set to prepare their own quick lunches for the day. Little did they know Alicia had much warmer and significantly tastier plans in store.
Completely surprising the team, Alicia walked in with a steaming, incredible pot of homemade menudo. In a place where community is built around shared tables and care, sharing a warm, traditional meal is one of the ultimate expressions of love.
As Alicia reminds us, truly nourishing our team goes far beyond saying "thank you." It’s about hospitality, thoughtfulness, and making sure the people who give so much of themselves feel cared for in return.
Alicia, your boundless kindness and generous heart keep this entire mission fueled, connected, and smiling. We appreciate you more than words can say!
A Wonderful Visit from Blanca and Dora!
Our doors are always open, yet there is something extra special about an unexpected visit that fills the rooms with laughter and joy. This week, we had the absolute delight of welcoming Blanca and Dora for a surprise stop at the Center!
Bringing an incredible wave of warmth and positive energy, Blanca and Dora spent time catching up with our hardworking volunteers, diving right into conversations about our current classes, adult education programs, and daily community life. Hearing their reflections and reminiscing about shared memories demonstrate the deep roots and enduring friendships that sustain our mission.
To make the visit even sweeter, they generously stopped by with a fantastic donation: a collection of classic vinyl records! Whether it’s sharing stories over music or supporting our programs in creative ways, our community always finds wonderful ways to enrich our space.
Catching up with Blanca and Dora left us feeling inspired and even more excited to share all the incredible upcoming events and gatherings we have planned for the weeks ahead.
Thank you, Blanca and Dora, for stopping by to brighten our week and for your continued love and support!
Meeting the Need with Compassion and Action
Our emergency food pantry is a resource, a lifeline and a physical expression of neighborly love. In our community, we believe that no one should ever have to worry about where their family’s next meal is coming from.
This week, our pantry was hit hard, seeing a significant surge in community members walking through our doors in search of food assistance. When the need arises, our team rises right along with it.
We are extraordinarily grateful to our dedicated volunteers who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes. They have been busy keeping our shelves organized, assembling and packing various food boxes day in and day out to ensure that every single person who asks for help is met with immediate care and dignity.
Behind every box packed and handed across our threshold are hours of quiet, heavy lifting, driven by a deep commitment to our neighbors. Yet our team is only one half of the equation.
None of this steady support would be possible without the incredible individuals and local partners who quietly and generously provide what they can to fill these boxes. Whether it’s dropping off pantry staples, contributing to a food drive, or giving what is needed most, your kindness keeps our shelves stocked and our mission moving forward.
To our incredible and tireless team of volunteers, and our generous community supporters: thank you for your relentless heart. When times get tough, our community proves time and time again that we take care of our own.
Stronger Together
Big community events, joyful celebrations, and seasonal outreach don't just happen overnight. They are built on a foundation of teamwork, proactive preparation, and the deep generosity of our community.
Over the past few days, our incredible team has been busier than ever, hitting the road and scooping up wonderful donations to stock up for our upcoming events. From gathering supplies to coordinating logistics, they put their whole hearts into making sure every gathering is a success for our families.
Behind every successful drive is an amazing network of donation partners who consistently step up to support our mission. Our team does an exceptional job nurturing these relationships, checking in with local businesses, and collaborating with folks who share our vision of a connected, cared-for community.
True growth comes from the lasting connections we build day in and day out. It is these trusted relationships with our partners and donors that allow us to expand our reach, lift our neighbors, and keep our doors wide open.
To our dedicated team and our wonderful donation partners: thank you for going above and beyond. We couldn't grow, thrive, or celebrate without you!
Celebrating Our Incredible Front Desk Team
When you step through the front doors of the Center you are walking into a space designed to feel like a second home. And the very first thing that greets you is something truly special: a genuine, welcoming smile.
Our front desk team is the heartbeat of our daily operations. Every single day, they are the first friendly faces our neighbors, participants, volunteers, and visitors see. Whether someone is walking in for the first time looking for guidance on our ESL classes, seeking support from our emergency food pantry, or simply stopping by to catch up, our front desk crew is always ready to step up, listen, and help with open arms.
Navigating daily life, learning a new language, or asking for a helping hand can sometimes feel intimidating. Yet because of the warmth, patience, and deep compassion of our front desk team, every person who crosses our threshold immediately knows they belong here. They offer directions, assistance, dignity, safety, and a sense of profound belonging.
Their daily dedication to others is what the WInC community is all about. It is kindness in action, neighbor looking out for neighbor, and truly humanity at its best.
To our incredible front desk team: thank you for setting the tone of our Center with your radiant energy, your steady support, and your boundless hearts. We couldn't do what we do without you!
Preparing for Tomorrow
Our classrooms are always buzzing with determination, yet over the past few weeks, we’ve noticed a distinct wave of urgency. More community members have been walking through our doors, calling our office, and asking about our English and Spanish citizenship classes.
The reason behind this recent influx? Growing awareness and concern surrounding proposed federal rule changes to naturalization application fees.
News travels fast in our borderland community, and families are understandably paying close attention to proposed adjustments by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Under discussion are steep potential increases:
- The cost of the N-400 naturalization application could jump significantly from its current fee of $710 online ($760 paper) up to $1,280 online ($1,330 paper).
- The proposals also point toward eliminating fee waivers and reduced-fee options for all non-military, low-income applicants.
It is important for our community to know that these fee hikes and the elimination of reduced-fee options are not confirmed yet, and any potential changes would likely not take effect until sometime next year. However, the mere possibility of such a massive financial barrier has created a powerful sense of urgency among those who have long dreamed of becoming U.S. citizens.
This is precisely why community-based support and education matter more than ever.
When systemic barriers feel daunting, preparation is power. That is why our dedicated instructors Mary, Virginia, and our wonderful volunteers pour so much heart into our citizenship classes every week. By studying together, practicing interview simulations, mastering civics questions, and building a rock-solid foundation of knowledge now, our students are ensuring they are ready to take their next big steps with confidence.
Taking the journey toward citizenship is a monumental milestone, and no one should have to navigate the shifting landscape alone. Whether you are ready to start preparing your application or simply want to learn more about our classes, our doors are open, and our community is here to walk beside you every step of the way.
Let’s keep lifting each other up, building readiness, and turning dreams into reality!
A Weekend of Joy, Remembrance, and Retro Fun
After a busy week of hard work, our dedicated participants and volunteers took a well-deserved opportunity to unwind and share a few heartfelt smiles together!
The team gathered for a special Grease and Matachines Fiesta, lovingly hosted by one of our longtime supporters, Juanita, in honor of her late mother. In true borderland fashion, the celebration brought together rich local traditions, cherished memories, and a lively, nostalgic twist.
Dressing the part in full 1950s style, our crew channeled their inner Grease characters! Complete with pastel cardigans, leather jackets, bobby socks, and vintage classic cars set in the background, the afternoon was filled with laughter, music, and wonderful camaraderie.
While our work at Center is grounded in service, our strength comes from the deep bonds and joy we share with one another. Taking time to celebrate life, honoring those who came before us, and simply laugh together keeps our spirits high and our community close.
A heartfelt thank you to Juanita for hosting such a warm and memorable gathering for the Anthony community!
