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Letter from the Editor
Many of us are familiar with the classic tale of Stone Soup. In the story, weary travelers arrive in a town with nothing more than an empty pot, a stone, and a quiet belief in community. One by one, villagers bring whatever small ingredient they have to spare; a single carrot, a handful of herbs, a pinch of salt. On their own, those modest offerings might not seem like much, but when poured into the same pot and shared, they create a rich, nourishing feast that feeds the entire town.
Here at the Women’s Intercultural Center, I am reminded of Stone Soup almost every single day.
Step into any of our classrooms during the week, and you will see that same spirit in motion. Our participants bring what they have, their unique talents, their lived experiences, and so often, a home-cooked dish to share. Class potlucks have become a beautiful staple of our daily life, turning simple gathering spaces into tables overflowing with flavor, culture, and care.
It is a place where generosity flows naturally in every direction. Volunteers rarely finish a shift without having a plate of food lovingly handed to them by a participant or a fellow teammate. No one leaves empty-handed, and more importantly, no one leaves unnourished.
This is the true heart of WInC. We don’t just host classes or offer resources; we build a communal pot together. Every smile, every volunteer hour, every shared recipe, and every encouragement added to the mix transforms our center into something extraordinary.
Thank you for bringing your own unique "ingredient" to our table week after week. Because of you, there is always plenty to go around.
Mary Carter
Editor & Executive Director
Women’s Intercultural Center
Community, Creativity, & Local Heart: Wandering the Christmas in July Market
This past week, the WInC team took a stroll through the Christmas in July Market. Wandering through the colorful rows of tables, we were surrounded by the beauty of small details from vibrant hand-painted ceramics to the bright, welcoming smiles of local artisans. There is something truly magical about handmade treasures; you can feel the heart, time, and dedication poured into every single piece.
One of the highlights of our day was stopping by the table of our dear friend, former volunteer, and longtime supporter, Omar Burciaga. Omar’s table was overflowing with incredible craft and color, and we couldn't resist taking home a gorgeous art piece titled "El Corazón del Desierto" to cherish. And, of course, no market trip would be complete without a little treat, we also left with some delicious homemade banana bread!
There is a simple joy of supporting our neighbors and celebrating the talented hands at events like this that make our borderland region thrive. Thank you to everyone who organized, participated, and shared their craft with us.
Nourishing Body & Spirit: Connie’s Calabacitas Brings WInC Together
There is a special kind of magic that happens when a community gathers around a hot, home-cooked meal. This week, WInC volunteers gathered around a simple joy: a steaming pot of Connie’s delicious calabacitas, shared with love and seasoned with her signature generosity.
What made this warm bowl of comfort even more special was where the ingredients came from. The meal was whipped up directly from the fresh produce boxes we distribute in partnership with La Semilla Food Center showing firsthand just how far fresh, locally grown food can go when placed in caring hands.
As Connie put it so perfectly:
"Happy to share!! From the veggie box that keeps on giving."
Thank you, Connie, for feeding both our bodies and our spirits with your cooking and warm heart. And thank you to every single volunteer who shows up with dedication, passion, and love for our community.
WInC grows because you do.
Alfonsina Strada: Cycling Pioneer
Alfonsina Strada, a cycling pioneer born into poverty in rural Italy in 1891, shattered records and defied critics. In 1924, she rode the entire Giro d’Italia as its only woman, enduring crashes, storms, and ridicule. Her grit made her a symbol of courage, and she spent her life on two wheels. This is part of a WInC series of stories about women who changed the world.
Unexpected Delights: A Sweet Surprise from Our Walmart Partners!
At the Women's Intercultural Center, our mission is built on community, collaboration, and the wonderful partners who walk alongside us. Yesterday, our team had a fantastic meeting with our local donation partners at Walmart, and they brought along a delightful surprise!
To our complete joy, the Walmart team showered us with a generous delivery of fresh water and snacks to support our ongoing programs. Their generosity goes a long way in helping us keep our doors open and our hearts full.
We want to extend a huge, heartfelt thank you to our friends at Walmart! Their thoughtful donation is already being put to wonderful use. The treats will keep our Snack Tree well-stocked with handy options for our participants throughout the week, and they will also serve perfectly for our upcoming WInC Movie Night!
Partnerships like these make all of us stronger when we work together. Thank you, Walmart, for believing in our mission and giving back to our borderland community so abundantly!
"Anybody Can Serve": Bring Your Talents to WInC & Teach a Class!
"Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve." — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King’s timeless words remind us of a powerful truth: service isn't reserved for experts or professionals with special credentials. True service belongs to anyone with a willing heart and a desire to share what they know so that others can grow.
At the Women's Intercultural Center, we see this truth in action every day. Now, we are inviting you to take that spirit of service a step further by volunteering your unique skills to teach or facilitate a class with us!
If you can explain a practical process, guide creative a practice, share a beloved craft, or walk someone step-by-step through a skill you’ve mastered over time, you already have what it takes. You don't need a formal teaching background. Your lived experience, your creativity, and your everyday knowledge can open brand-new doors for someone who is just beginning their journey.
Teaching at WInC is ultimately about generosity and connection. It comes from the shared belief that our borderland community grows stronger, more resilient, and more connected whenever we lift one another up.
If you’ve ever felt that quiet nudge saying, "Maybe I could help," consider this your official invitation. Your voice, your talents, and your presence matter more than you know.
Ready to Share Your Gift?
Take a moment to reflect on your strengths and passions whether it's art, cooking, practical life skills, or professional knowledge. To explore how your unique talents can shape an upcoming class or to ask about current community needs, reach out to us today!
- 📞 Call or Text: (575) 882-5556
- ✉️ Email:
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Come share what you know and watch our community flourish together!
The Journey to Citizenship
Behind every newly naturalized citizen is a powerful journey; one paved with months of hard work, late-night civic study, nervous interview simulations, and unwavering dedication. Becoming a U.S. citizen is far more than a legal milestone; it is the culmination of hope, sacrifice, and resilience.
At the Women’s Intercultural Center, we have the profound honor of walking alongside our participants as they prepare for this life-changing moment. From mastering U.S. history and government concepts to practicing mock interviews, our students pour their hearts into every step of the process.
What makes this journey truly extraordinary, however, is the way our community wraps its arms around each applicant. Volunteers step up to quiz students, fellow classmates offer gentle encouragement, and our Executive Director provides the tools and confidence needed to succeed. Witnessing our community unite in support turns what could be a daunting process into a shared victory.
To everyone who has dedicated their time to teaching, practicing, and cheering on our citizenship students: thank you. And to our future citizens: your determination inspires us all, and we cannot wait to celebrate the day you take your oath!
Taco ’Bout a Healthy Twist: Delicious Lentil Tacos in ICAN Class!
Who says comfort food can't be both nutritious and packed with flavor? This week, participants in the ICAN Nutrition Class hosted at WInC discovered just how easy and delicious healthy eating can be as they whipped up a batch of amazing Lentil Tacos!
During class, participants learned how swapping traditional meat for simmered, well-seasoned lentils create a budget-friendly meal rich in plant-based protein and fiber. Topped with crisp lettuce and shredded cheese in warm tortillas, these tacos delivered all the classic, savory flavor everyone loves, proving that small tweaks in the kitchen can make a big difference for family wellness.
Classes like ICAN empower our community with practical, hands-on cooking skills that bring fresh ideas directly to the dinner table. A big thank you to our instructor and all the enthusiastic chefs who joined us for this delicious lesson!
Lights, Camera, Community: A Magical WInC Movie Night Recap
We watched a movie and created a true community experience!
This past week, our gallery was transformed into a vivid world of storytelling, laughter, and connection as community members gathered for our WInC Movie Night. Together, we settled in for a special feature showing of Supergirl, bringing high-flying heroics and big-screen fun right to our Center.
Of course, no movie night is complete without great treats! Thanks to the wonderful donation from our partners at Walmart, everyone enjoyed a fantastic assortment of snacks and refreshing drinks while soaking in the film.
It was a special, colorful night filled with warmth and shared joy. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, helped set up, and made the evening so memorable. We can't wait to see you at our next event!
Community Caring for Community: A Heartwarming Gesture from Yasmin
At the Women's Intercultural Center, our volunteers pour so much love and energy into creating special moments for our participants and their families. During our recent WInC Community Movie Night, our dedicated team was hard at work late into the evening ensuring everything ran smoothly.
Just as the night was winding down, we experienced a beautiful moment of community care. Yasmin dropped by the Center with a wonderful surprise bringing our hard-working volunteers’ fresh enchiladas and delicious pasta to take home and nourish themselves after a long day.
When we expressed our gratitude, Yasmin shared a comment that touched all our hearts:
“Thank you all for your dedication, and for always being there for us.”
Yasmin’s thoughtful gesture shows that the care we share at WInC flows both ways. Thank you, Yasmin, for your kindness, your warm meal, and for showing us what community is truly all about!
Joy in Every Class: Living Our Mission Together
There is nothing quite like walking through the doors of the Women's Intercultural Center during a class and being met by pure joy, bright smiles, and the vibrant energy of shared learning.
From the very beginning, our core mission at WInC has been to provide a place for women to learn and work together to develop their social, spiritual, economic and political potential. Every single week, we have the privilege of watching that vision come to life.
Whether it's a hands-on cooking class, a creative art project, or a skill-building workshop, the magic happens in the connections built along the way. Seeing our incredible volunteers, passionate instructors, and dedicated participants come together to support one another is what truly shapes this center into a home.
Thank you to everyone who fills our space with warmth, laughter, and courage. You are living proof that when women gather to uplift each other, our entire community grows brighter!
Web-Slinging Inspiration: Art, Heart, & Spider-Man!
Creativity and heroic inspiration filled the Center this week as we celebrated Spider-Man: Brand New Day alongside some truly incredible artwork by Oliver!
Oliver’s vibrant drawing recalled one of our absolute favorite lessons from Aunt May: "When you help someone, you help everyone." It’s a simple sentiment, yet it sits right at the core of our mission. Every small act of kindness, every shared skill, and every helping hand creates a ripple effect across our entire community. Thank you, Aunt May, for the timeless wisdom, and thank you, Oliver, for inspiring us all with your talent!
Speaking of everyone's favorite neighborhood superhero; if you're searching for a great weekend movie recommendation, our WInC volunteers caught Spider-Man in theaters this past Wednesday and gave it a big thumbs-up. They promise it's an amazing watch!
The Thumbs-Up Says It All: A New Journey Begins at WInC!
Sometimes, a single gesture says everything. This week, a community member walked through our doors seeking guidance and support to navigate the process of U.S. Naturalization and left with a smile and a big thumb-up!
At the Women's Intercultural Center, we pride ourselves on being a trusted haven for guidance, hope, and community connections. Stepping onto the path toward citizenship can feel like a daunting task, yet no one must walk it alone. From untangling application steps to connecting with citizenship classes and interview simulations, our team of volunteers is here to support our neighbors every step of the way.
We are so honored to be a part of this inspiring chapter, and we can’t wait to cheer them on as their hard work unfolds.
Let the journey begin!
WInC Sunglasses Distribution!
This week, the Women’s Intercultural Center was filled with even more smiles than usual! Thanks to a wonderfully generous donation, we had the unique pleasure of distributing a huge shipment of brand-new, stylish sunglasses to our participants and visitors.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. As the New Mexico sun started heating up, we were able to provide necessary eye protection (and a touch of cool style) to everyone who walked through our doors.
At WInC we look out for each other in small, meaningful ways. A huge thank you to our donor who made this distribution possible!
Dignity, Care, and Connection: Opening Our Doors
Every week, families walk through the doors of the Women’s Intercultural Center looking for essential resources, clothing, and household items. Our community thrift store is more than just a place to pick up everyday necessities; it is a space grounded in dignity, choice, and warm hospitality.
While waiting for their turn to browse our store shelves and select the items they need, families gather in our lobby, sharing smiles, quiet conversations, and moments of connection. Our team and volunteers work hard to ensure that every person who enters feels seen, respected, and truly welcomed.
Providing access to essential goods allows our participants to direct their resources toward other critical needs, all while knowing they have a supportive community standing right beside them.
Thank you to everyone who donates clothing, household goods, and time to keep our thrift store stocked and running smoothly. Your generosity ensures our doors stay open to every family seeking a helping hand!
