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Letter from the Editor
Money cannot measure meaningful community change. While headlines praising $50 million awards capture public attention, lasting impact takes something far more enduring: neighbors helping neighbors. Eva Longoria’s message that anyone can drive change through time, mentorship, and local support is a reality lived out daily at the Women’s Intercultural Center.
Our impact grows through a self-sustaining cycle of generosity. Women and families come to the Center seeking support, education, and confidence. In time, many return as essential contributors. A participant who enrolls in a class pays a modest fee, donates gently used items to the thrift store, offers volunteer time, or leaves a small contribution to pave the way for the next person who walks through our doors.
This collective investment sustains every aspect of our mission. Volunteers power the Center entirely from leadership defining our path to the instructors, gardeners, and maintenance crews keeping our spaces open and welcoming. Every donated hour, every thrift item, and every quiet act of kindness expands our reach.
These contributions may not make national news, yet they transform our community every single day. They prove that strong neighborhoods are not built by wealth, but by everyday people investing in one another.With gratitude,
Mary Carter
Editor & Executive Director
Women’s Intercultural Center
There is something special about November. It invites us to pause, reflect, and give thanks to the people and experiences that shape our lives. At the Women's Intercultural Center, this November carries even greater meaning as we celebrate a remarkable milestone: on November 15, the Center turns 33 years old.
For thirty-three years, the Women's Intercultural Center has been a place to break barriers, create opportunities, and transform lives. What began as a vision rooted in empowerment and inclusion has grown into a vibrant community where people of all backgrounds come together to learn, connect, and thrive.
This anniversary belongs to everyone who has been part of the journey. It belongs to the donors who believed in our mission and invested in our future. It belongs to the volunteers who generously shared their time, talents, and compassion. It belongs to every participant who walked through our doors seeking support, education, friendship, or opportunity and, in doing so, became part of our story.
Together, you have helped weave a rich tapestry of resilience, hope, and possibility that stretches across generations and communities. You are the heartbeat of the Women's Intercultural Center, and every success we celebrate today is because of your commitment and belief in what we can accomplish together.
As we honor the past 33 years, we are also looking ahead. The need for safe, welcoming spaces remains as important as ever. There are still lives to strengthen, dreams to nurture, and voices to uplift. The next chapter of our story is waiting for us to write it and we want to enter it with the same determination, optimism, and community spirit that has guided us from the beginning.
To celebrate this milestone, we invite you to make a gift in honor of the Center's 33rd anniversary. Every contribution, regardless of size, helps sustain programs, provide opportunities, and ensures that the Women's Intercultural Center continues serving as a place of hope and connection for years to come.
To donate, please visit:
https://womensinterculturalcenter.org/index.php/donate
Your support does more than keep our doors open. It helps create opportunities, fosters belonging, and strengthens a legacy built on community helping community.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Thank you for believing in the power of people coming together to create positive change. And thank you for helping us celebrate 33 years of impact while building an even brighter future for generations to come.
Happy 33rd Anniversary, Women's Intercultural Center. Here is to the next chapter of transformation, hope, and community.
A Milestone at the Ballot Box
Happy Election Day! Today, our center family celebrated a deeply moving milestone: Gabby cast her ballot for the sixth time since becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Gabby’s journey with the ballot box began in 2022, when she proudly stepped up to vote for the very first time. In an unforgettable moment of pride and love, that inaugural ballot gave her the opportunity to vote for her own grandson in his very first election. Today, as she filled in every single bubble all by herself, her growth, independence, and unwavering civic spirit were on full display. Gabby understands that every vote is a voice and that making your voice heard is both a right and a gift.
For all of us at the Women’s Intercultural Center, moments like this reflect the very heart of our mission. WInC had the honor of guiding Gabby on her journey to U.S. citizenship, walking alongside her to reach this milestone. It was amazing seeing her exercise her hard-earned right to vote with such confidence.
We could not be prouder of Gabby’s dedication, her civic leadership, and the radiant inspiration she brings to everyone around her. Congratulations, Gabby, thank you for showing us all what heart, perseverance, and citizenship truly look like!
Standing Together in Times of Need
Every week, families walk through the doors of the Women’s Intercultural Center carrying stories of resilience, hope, and sometimes, sudden hardship. Recently, a local woman came to WInC seeking food assistance for her household during an extraordinarily difficult moment; her husband had recently suffered a heart attack, turning their world upside down overnight.
While providing a food box to ensure her family had immediate nourishment, our team sat down with her to listen, offer comfort, and see how else we could walk alongside her during this trial. Beyond addressing their immediate food needs, WInC connected her family with critical community support resources to help them navigate the road ahead and provided comfortable clothing for her husband as he recovers.
True impact is a warm, compassionate hand so that no neighbor ever has to carry a heavy burden alone.
We are deeply grateful for our volunteers, donors, and supporters whose generosity makes it possible for the Center to remain a safe, welcoming haven. Because of you, we can offer both practical help and heartfelt care to families right when they need it most.
Stepping Up for Democracy
Every vote tells a story, but some remind us with extraordinary clarity just how precious our rights truly are. This week, Elva stopped by to share a monumental milestone: casting her ballot in her very first election as a naturalized U.S. citizen!
Determined to make her voice heard and exercise her hard-earned right to vote, Elva did not let anything stand in her way. Even with vision in only one eye, she proudly walked all the way from her home to City Hall to vote. Upon returning home, she proudly showed off her "I Voted" sticker to her grandsons, passing down a powerful lesson in civic responsibility, resilience, and family pride to the next generation.
Elva’s dedication reflects the true spirit of the Women’s Intercultural Center. Seeing our community members take bold, enthusiastic steps to shape the future of their neighborhoods inspires every single one of us.
We could not be prouder of Elva’s determination, strength, and unwavering commitment to civic participation. Congratulations, Elva, and thank you for showing us all what true leadership and civic heart look like!
The Sweetness of Community
Sometimes, the most meaningful gifts come straight from the soil and straight from the heart. This week, our center family received a delightful and sweet delivery from local friend and farm owner, Gloria, who donated a beautiful harvest of fresh quinces directly from her farm.
In our borderland community, sharing what we grow is an age-old tradition of neighbors caring for neighbors. Her donation provided fresh, wholesome produce for local families and served as a heartwarming reminder of the generosity that surrounds us every day.
At the Women’s Intercultural Center, we build impact through this exact circle of care. Whether it is a volunteer donating their time, a neighbor dropping off gently used items, or a local farmer sharing the literal fruits of her hard work, every act of kindness ripples outward to nourish our community.
Gloria, thank you for your generosity, your dedication to the land, and your warm community spirit. We are deeply grateful for your support and for showing us all how sweet it is when neighbors look out for one another!
Restoring the Light
At the Women’s Intercultural Center, we build community strength through simple, quiet acts of care and sometimes, it starts with a single plate of delicious, homemade food.
Recently, during an event at the Center, long-time supporter Juanita noticed something that did not fit our warm, welcoming space: a stark sheet of plywood covering one a broken front window. Rather than just passing by Juanita immediately stepped forward with a heartfelt solution. She offered to lead a community fundraiser to replace the window, taking it upon herself to organize a traditional food sale.
Juanita did not just donate her time and culinary skills; she generously purchased and donated every single ingredient out of her own pocket.
Joined by three resolute WInC volunteers and two program participants, the kitchen was soon buzzing with laughter, teamwork, and irresistible aromas. Together, the crew prepared and served up mouth-watering plates filled with rich asado, frijoles, arroz, crisp tostadas, and a cold soda.
Thanks to Juanita’s leadership, the arduous work of our volunteer kitchen team, and the incredible generosity of donors who contributed a little extra with their purchases, we raised the funds needed to repair the glass.
Thank you, Juanita, for your extraordinary generosity and devotion to our mission. Thank you to our helpers, Connie, Patsy, Elvia, Rosa, and Juana. And thank you to everyone who bought a plate and donated a little extra, you have truly brought the light back into our building!
A Month of Light, Growth, and Shared Gratitude: Our October 2026 Impact Report
Turn Your Everyday Searches into Support for WInC!
Did you know that something as simple as searching the web can make a difference in your community?
Supporting the Women's Intercultural Center (WInC) does not always require making a financial donation. Sometimes, it can be as easy as using Bing to search the internet!
Our Executive Director recently demonstrated just how simple this can be by donating 5,285 Microsoft Rewards points to support the Women's Intercultural Center. Through everyday online searches and participation in Microsoft Rewards, those points became a meaningful contribution toward helping sustain the programs and services that make a difference in our community.
Imagine turning something you already do every day into an opportunity to give back!
Microsoft Rewards allows participants to earn points through activities such as searching with Bing. You can donate those points to eligible nonprofit organizations, including the Women's Intercultural Center. By selecting WInC, you can make your everyday searches count toward supporting our mission.
Points donated help strengthen the work we do to create opportunities, encourage learning, empower individuals, and build a stronger, more connected community.
How can you get involved?
1. Sign up for Microsoft Rewards.
2. Choose the Women's Intercultural Center (WInC) as your nonprofit.
3. Earn points through your everyday Bing searches.
4. Set up your donations so your points can help support WInC.
It is an effortless way to turn an everyday habit into an act of community support.
We invite you to follow the infographic for step-by-step instructions and join us in making a difference.
You search. You earn. You give. Our community benefits!
Remember, making a difference does not always take a big gesture. Sometimes, it starts with a simple search. Every point makes a difference, and together, we can turn small actions into meaningful support for the WInC community!
351 Meals Powered by One Generous Heart
Sometimes a single act of kindness can ripple out to warm an entire community. This week, our center family experienced an overwhelming moment of gratitude thanks to an incredibly generous anonymous donor who stepped forward with a gift of pure love.
Because of this donor's extraordinary contribution, the Women’s Intercultural Center was able to prepare and distribute 351 plates of food directly to our neighbors across the community!
In a single week, one person’s quiet decision to give turned into hundreds of full plates, nourished families, and happy hearts. Whether helping parents put a wholesome dinner on the table or making sure an elderly neighbor felt cared for, this gift brought both practical relief and was a bright demonstration of the goodness that surrounds us.
This is the sincere heart of our borderland. Care, generosity, and community spirit change lives.
To our anonymous guardian angel: thank you for seeing a need, stepping up so selflessly, and making such a massive impact for 351 individuals in our community!
Navigating Medicare with Trusted Local Guidance
Even those of us who spend our days guiding the community sometimes need a little guidance ourselves!
Navigating the alphabet soup of Medicare and Medicaid from understanding Parts A, B, C, D and keeping track of crucial enrollment deadlines can feel genuinely overwhelming when you are trying to find the exact right plan for your life and health.
Recently, a few of our team members at the Women’s Intercultural Center found themselves facing these very choices. We sat down with Jessica Marquez, an independent agent with JAR Insurance Services right here in Anthony, New Mexico.
The best part? Jessica is a knowledgeable professional and a familiar and cherished face in our WInC community who has taught classes right here at the Center! With patience, clarity, and deep care, she walked our team step-by-step through the maze of options, helping us find the coverage that fits best.
At WInC, we ground our mission in a simple truth: we are stronger when we lean on one another. If you or a loved one are currently navigating open enrollment and could use a trusted, friendly hand to sort through your options, we wholeheartedly recommend reaching out to Jessica at (915) 637-6182 or via email at
Because when it comes to your health and peace of mind, having a knowledgeable neighbor by your side changes everything!
Community Conversations Around the Proposed Desert Valley Energy Storage Project in Vado
Community Questions & Developer Commitments
Residents have raised essential questions regarding potential flooding risks, fire safety, proximity to nearby homes, and the need for thorough, transparent public outreach before any final permits move forward.
According to project documentation provided by Innergex, the company outlines several safety and operational measures.
- Fire & Safety: Fire-resistant enclosures will house the units, featuring continuous monitoring and temperature controls built to strict standards (UL 9540, UL 9540A, and NFPA 855).
- Environmental & Site Operations: Designed to produce zero emissions during operation, the sealed units will produce zero emissions during operation, require little to no water for daily needs, and include a full decommissioning and site restoration plan at the end of the project's lifecycle.
How to Participate
Meaningful community impact starts when neighbors have a seat at the table. Project organizers anticipate additional public meetings as Doña Ana County continues reviewing the project plans.
If you live in the area or want to stay informed, you can share questions, submit feedback, or request more details directly with the project team at
Staying engaged, asking questions, and advocating for our neighborhoods ensures that growth in our borderland always prioritizes the safety, voice, and well-being of our community!
Beyond the Classroom Door
When class ends at the Center rarely goes quiet right away. That is often when the most important conversations happen, the ones born from big dreams, lingering questions, and the courageous steps our participants take toward their futures.
Just the other day, after one of our citizenship classes, a participant needed clarification on the process based on information she had received from a friend.
Our Executive Director has years of deep experience, familiarity with immigration processes, and immense compassion, she gently walked through the requirement she had a question about. She has a keen ability to translate bureaucratic jargon into plain language.
As Mary answered her questions, you could literally see the tension lift from the participant's shoulders, replaced by renewed confidence and hope.
At WInC, we believe that education does not stop at the whiteboard, and support doesn't end when class is dismissed. Having a knowledgeable, trusted guide by your side changes everything when you are striving for a better life and official belonging in this country.
To everyone navigating the path to citizenship: your hard work matters, your dreams are worth fighting for, and we are right here with you every step of the way!
