Programs
at
Centro Santa Catalina
Spirituality Program
Women from the Cooperative and from the surrounding colonias attend a weekly prayer group. The Center also offers Bible study classes, classes on spirituality/prayer and retreat days for women. The women consistently claim that the Spirituality Programs are the heart of the Center's activities.
Economic Coopertive
At present twenty three women, a highly committed group of women have formed an Economic Cooperative - Cooperative Las Mujeres de Esperanza y Fe. The original women who started the Center are part of this cooperative. The women make hand sewn products to sell in order to supplement their family income. The intention of the Cooperative has always been to supplement the family income. The Cooperative has evolved into the base community at Centro Santa Catalina.
Popular Education Classes
Women of the co-op and other women living in Panfilo Natera and other surrounding colonias participate in classes such as health education, parenting classes, citizenship classes, popular economic classes and nutrition classes. The classes are chosen from the articulated learning desires of the women involved at the Center.
Pre-Kinder and Kinder Programs
Children of the women participating in the cooperative and other children in the area attend Pre-Kinder and Kinder Programs four days a week for three hours a day. Four dedicated women from the surrounding colonias are paid to teach in the programs.
Homework Help Program
Children in the primary grades participate in a Homework Help -Tutoring Program three times a week for two to three hours a day. Four dedicated women (some paid staff) and three volunteers from El Paso, Texas, teach in the Homework Help Program.
Literacy Program
In October 2000 a Literacy Program was started in collaboration with the State of Chihuahua. The participants will receive their elementary (grades 1-6) and secondary (grades 7-9) Certification through the Program.
ESL
This program is held one day a week for two hours a day. It is taught by volunteers from El Paso, Texas. Presently there are two levels, beginners and advanced.
Leadership Program
Through a grant from the Raskkob Foundation a three-year Leasership Formation Program has been established (2000-2003). The goal of the program is to work with the paid members of the Center and four women participating in Center Programs (all women of the colonia) in order to develop the leadership skills necessary for a sustainable future for the Center.
How you can help:
For the cooperative we can use:
Thread - all colors
Cotton quilting fabric
Scissors
Safety Pins
Small Gold safety Pins
We can not use fabric made of synthetics
We need the following materials for the Little School:
Glue
pencils
pens
Notebooks (Spiral - not loose leaf)
folders
Crayons (jumbo with basic colors for the Kinder and Pre Kinder - for the Homework work Help program we can take bigger boxes (32-64 crayons)
scissors for small children (rounded points)
construction paper - all colors
crepe paper - all colors
Poster Board - white and pastel colors
calculators
Spanish Dictionaries
Library Books - all in Spanish
Puzzles - 25 to 100 pieces
Coloring Books - jumbo books with about 100 pages - they last longer
Math books that can be used as practice pages -- not with much English Directions or word problems.
Remember, one person can make a difference
Dear Friend,
Thank you for your order,
The women's products are so beautiful and professionally displayed. The beauty we get to observe is one of the women as they work so hard to raise their families. They are simple (in the original sense) and spirit filled women. Your help is so welcomed.
Blessings upon you,
Sister
