Centro Santa Catalina

Valores, fe y vida (values, faith and life) is the foundational program of Centro Santa Catalina. Through a four-year series of classes and prayer gatherings women from the colonias grow in their own self-esteem and leadership skills as well as develop the kind of community that allows them to support each other through the challenges of their lives. Eight women, all graduates of valores, fe y vida themselves, teach the classes and are paid to do so. This year, 70 women benefited from the program.

The organization operates a co-op in which women learn and use their sewing skills to produce handcrafted products such as curtains, tablecloths, blankets and quilts. The products are available for sale through online ordering or through the organization's office. The women in the co-op share the profits equally, receiving pay once a month.

The organization operates a school in ciudad juarez, mexico, for the children of economically poor women. This year, the school served approximately 235 children who partcipate in the kindergarten classes and approximately 250 children who participate in the homework help program provded by tutors at the school.

Seven women, all of whom live in the neighborhood near the center, are members of the gardening cooperative. They produce vegetables for consumption by their own families using four-season micro-intensive gardens developed by chuck o'heron alex of albuquerque.

Gardening co-op