In Jurez, Mexico, where cartels have left families mourning loved ones and women fending for their families, the Centro Santa Catalina provides opportunity for about 20 women to utilize various creative and management skills to help them generate a survival income.
When farms throughout Mexico started closing after the North American Free Trade Agreement came into effect in the late 1990s, men migrated into the cities to find work.
"The men couldn't get jobs because they had a sixth-grade education and weren't used to living in the city," Dominican Sr. Maureen Gallagher said. "The women stayed at home with the children, and sometimes there wasn't enough money for food."
The "colonia" where the women live, Colonia Pnfilo Natera, is built on what was once the city's garbage dump, with homes constructed out of scrap materials; many lack electricity, water and basic city services. For most of these women, Centro Santa Catalina is their only source of income.
As the marketing director for the sewing cooperative across the border from El Paso, Texas, Gallagher helps the women sell their projects, including aprons, table runners, purses, shawls, laptop holders and "Mexican prayer flags." In addition to the sewing co-op, the center also provides tutoring, spirituality classes and a garden for the women to grow and share vegetables.
GSR: How did Centro Santa Catalina begin?
Gallagher: It was started by Sr. Donna Kustusch, an Adrian Dominican sister, and she started it in '96 or '97. She was a professor in the religion department at Sienna Heights College, and she had decided she had to walk the talk. She brought students down for immersion in Ciudad Jurez and later decided that's where she'd start her ministry helping economically poor women. That eventually led to a prayer group with some of the women, and from the prayer group, the center developed for women who were mostly migrants from the rural areas.
Sister Donna said, 'Aside from praying, what can we do to help you?' They said they really needed money, so they decided to start a co-op.
Sr. Maureen Gallagher, left, selling products the women at Centro Santa Catalina have sewn. (Provided photo)
The idea was that they would have a business and be able to stay in Mexico which is what they wanted to do and support their families and have a decent life. At this time, the co-op has its own president, vice president, secretary, and they make their own decisions. The only problem is with selling the products, because we have to sell them in the U.S., and the women don't speak English. And only five of them have visas, but they can only go 40 miles within the U.S.
I'm the marketing director, and [along with two other sisters] we help them find places where they can sell. If we have a place in El Paso, then women come and sell things themselves so they can learn the process. Right now, we're trying to make the co-op independent, so that they run the co-op, take care of all the money they get, and continue it on their own once we leave [ideally by 2020].
Tell me about other programs offered at the center.
In Juarez, there aren't enough schools for the children in elementary grades they go either in the morning or afternoon so we've trained 10 women to be tutors. The nice thing about that is most of them got their GEDs through the center; we paid for them to get it.
This past year, we hired a director the plan was for a Mexican woman to take over the center so that it would be owned and run by Mexicans. We hired a director, and through her intercession, we've been able to send the tutors to a class where they are now certified teacher aides, so if something should happen to us or to the center, they have a skill they can market.
We also have a youth program for teenagers, and we're starting a garden program, and the idea is that that eventually becomes a co-op for them to share vegetables.
We don't charge the families anything to send their children to tutors; it's a two-way thing. They're getting help with their homework, but they're also being kept off the streets while their parents are working.
All the money goes into a bank, and at the end of the month, they have to decide how much money they need for repairs, new products and materials. Then they share equally what's left over with the 18 women that make up the co-op. Average is $160 [U.S. dollars, per person] when you don't have a big sale, and that's really just for survival. As marketing director, I try to find more places for them to sell.
Two of the women work on sewing projects at the co-op. (Provided photo)
Tell me about the women you work with.
Juarez was a place where two cartels were fighting, and during that time, it was around 2010, every one of our women in the co-op had either a relative or a family member killed. It was total anarchy.
Many of them are battered women. One of our women in the co-op has four or five children and just left her husband. She had left him before, but she financially couldn't continue, so she invited him back. When the co-op started picking up and we were getting more money, she felt she could get rid of him again, so she kicked him out of the house. She had to get another job in a factory, so she works two jobs. He put her in the hospital five years ago because he beat her so badly.
Of the 18 women, I know three of them definitely can't read or write. One is now the vice president of the co-op and the mother of five children.
Another one who came to the co-op, Victoria, was there for a three-month trial period to see if she can sew. She couldn't do anything, but the women didn't want to let her go because she had no income. She was a widow, and her children had all moved back with their children and were really taking advantage of her. So the co-op hired her as the ironer, and she's the world's best ironer. She can't read or write, but the women try to help her. They have that community spirit of helping one another.
I've seen the women grow unbelievably. We went through a bad time at the center, when a woman got angry at our director, Rosa, because Rosa had bought heaters for the classrooms. This woman thought they should've gotten the money in their salary instead of the heaters, and a group of women had locked us out of the center.
But while we worked with the [El Paso and Juurez] dioceses and lawyers, the tutors and co-op members who didn't turn against us took it upon themselves to continue the center [for kindergarten classes]. They were able to find a house that they rented and got donations of chairs and tables from neighbors. When we came back to tell them what we had figured out, they said, 'Well, we have a house, and we're going to continue' [holding classes there until the end of the school year]. They could not have done that five years ago. We looked at them as they grew in confidence and authority and ability to take hold of their own lives, which is absolutely amazing and confirming that what the center had done was help these women grow.
How has this work changed you as a person?
It's helped me understand other people and other cultures. I had a hard time learning Spanish because I ministered for 40 years in Chicago, so my background had no different cultures it was just Chicago, Chicago, Chicago. But then I came down here, and I learned the Mexican culture is a beautiful culture, and I picked up many things, like hugging people that was not part of my background in Chicago.
I'm definitely a different person. I'm not quite as confident that I have all the answers. My background is teaching, and as teachers, we have a set way of doing things and think our way is the best way. I'm an Irish Catholic, Southside Chicagoan, and we have all the answers. But I've learned we don't.
Victoria irons the finished products to make them ready for sale. (Provided photo)
[Soli Salgado is a staff writer forGlobal Sisters Report. Her email address isssalgado@ncronline.org. Follow her on Twitter:@soli_salgado.]
Excerpt from:
- Financial Independence [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- The One-Page Guide to Financial Independence [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- 3 Ways to Achieve Financial Independence - wikiHow [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Eight Secrets to Achieving Financial Independence [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Success! - How to get Financial Independence and Help For Real [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Financial Independence: The Final Stage of Money Management [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- The Four Stages of Financial Independence - The Simple Dollar [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2016]
- 21 Experts Chatting About Financial Independence | Cash ... [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2016]
- 21 Experts Chatting About Financial Independence | Cash ... [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2016]
- Welcome - Reach Financial Independence [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2016]
- Prepping 101: Financial Independence | Suburban Steader [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2016]
- 7 Ways To Declare Financial Independence | Bankrate.com [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2016]
- financial independence / early retirement - reddit [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2016]
- Prepping 101: Financial Independence | Suburban Steader [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2016]
- How to Declare Your Financial Independence - Next Avenue [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2016]
- Financial Independence: The New and Improved Retirement [Last Updated On: July 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2016]
- FMO & IMO | Financial Independence Group, Inc [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2016]
- 8 Secrets to Achieving Financial Independence [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2016]
- Financial Independence Academy - Sign Up Today! [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2016]
- COLUMN-Millennial parents still like to tap the Bank of Mom & Dad - Thomson Reuters Foundation [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Speaking of Women...Are We Really More Financially Independent Now? - Investopedia [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Millennial parents still like to tap the Bank of Mom & Dad - One America News Network (press release) [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- House Dems: Trump wants to put Wall Street first - The Hill [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- 3 insider tips for achieving financial independence | The Motley Fool ... - Motley Fool UK [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- The power of financial independence - KXAN.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Republicans Move on Financial Deregulation; Fed Finalizes Stress Test Guidance - Lexology (registration) [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Find out if you qualify for free tax preparation and financial advice - wtvr.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Getting To Know You Tuesday: Elliot Dole - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- How to Prioritize Financial Goals When You Can't Do It All - Inside Higher Ed (blog) [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Millennial Parents Still Like to Tap the Bank of Mom & Dad - WealthManagement.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Days May Be Numbered for the Consumer Complaint Database - ConsumerReports.org [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Early Retirement & Financial Independence Community [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- How Much Financial Help Do You Expect From Your Parents in the Future? - New York Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Court Rejects Order Forcing Parents to Pay Tuition - Inside Higher Ed [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Congress could limit the Fed's independence and hurt the US economy - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Syrian refugee families achieve financial independence in Alliston - Simcoe.com [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union serves and empowers Latino consumers with Juntos Avanzamos program - CUinsight.com (press release) [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Consumers in cross-hairs with Dodd-Frank repeal - mySanAntonio.com [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Sheroes Founder Sairee Chahal ventures for Women's Financial Independence in India's sometimes Suffocating ... - Plunge Daily [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Surviving widowhood: Five tips to avoid financial hardship - Cincinnati.com [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Advocates say more women need financial independence: 'We really do need that extra leg up' - Globalnews.ca [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- The road to financial freedom - ABS-CBN News [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Independence Financial Partners - SPECIALIZING IN [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- IDS celebrates 150 years of newswriting | Indiana Daily Student - Indiana Daily Student [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- International Financial Reporting Standards - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Retiring in their 30s. Yep, they're doing it. - Crain's Chicago Business [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Opinion: Young adults need an easier path to financial independence - LSU Now [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Successful Boomer Women Offer Financial Advice to Younger ... - Fox Business [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Another way to measure retirement readiness: Your 'Power Percentage' - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- 'Thousands' of cancer sufferers forced to borrow money from parents because of financial difficulties caused by illness - The Independent [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Column: Financially surviving widowhood - Cincinnati.com [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Oran Hall | Young cop seeks financial independence | Business ... - Jamaica Gleaner [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- 'Game of Thrones' gave financial independence to Conleth Hill ... - Business Standard [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- International Women's Day - Investing for financial independence - Simple Landlords Insurance (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- Game of Thrones gave financial independence to actor Conleth Hill - Bollywood Life [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- A Struggle Back to Financial Independence After a Brain Injury - The Good Men Project (blog) [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- Financial Adviser | Oran Hall | Young cop seeks financial ... - Jamaica Gleaner [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- theFIREstarter - Financial Independence. Retire Early [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Linda Leitz: Women, divorce and money: Financial independence is best whenever possible - Colorado Springs Gazette [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- Linda Leitz: Women, divorce and money: Financial independence is ... - Colorado Springs Gazette [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- Italian millennials 'won't reach financial independence until age 50 ... - The Local Italy [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- NBA ex-president seeks financial independence for judiciary - Guardian [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]
- Priceless financial tips from 'Billionaire Cab Driver' money guru - WND.com [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- NOEM: Fighting for financial independence - Rapid City Journal [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- 5 Action Strategies for Financial Independence - Kiplinger - Kiplinger Personal Finance [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- NOEM: Fighting for financial independence - Daily Republic [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2017]
- AnuOluwapo Adelakun: Of Epic Twitter Comebacks & the Importance of Financial Independence for Women - Bella Naija [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2017]
- The Struggle For Financial Independence - The Korea Times US [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2017]
- Regulatory reform leads to financial independence - Argus Leader - Sioux Falls Argus Leader [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2017]
- The Financial Lesson in a $1 Hot Dog - Barron's [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2017]
- Five facts about financial independence - finder.com.au [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2017]
- Income-producing assets pave the way to financial independence - Moneyweb.co.za [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2017]
- 3 Things the Financial Independence Equation Teaches Us - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2017]
- Living a FI | A Geek's Guide to Financial Independence [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2017]
- levels of financial independence - Radical Personal Finance [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2017]
- A business owner's path to financial independence - BizTimes.com (Milwaukee) [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2017]
- Independence Financial Group [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2017]
- Calculating Your "Magic Number" -A Fool's Errand - Forbes [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2017]
- How to win the endgame of financial independence - MoneySense - MoneySense [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2017]
- Guest View: Dodd-Frank Act killing American Dream - The Hartsville Vidette [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2017]