Arcelia Ramirez views her inability to speak English as a
barrier to economic success, but after getting involved with a
program called Home League, she hopes to empower herself by
participating in free workshops that teach her to use her hands to
make pi
ñatas, jewelry and clothes she can sell.
Gilroy – Arcelia Ramirez views her inability to speak English as a barrier to economic success, but after getting involved with a program called Home League, she hopes to empower herself by participating in free workshops that teach her to use her hands to make piñatas, jewelry and clothes she can sell.
Santa Alvarez, workshop coordinator and dental promoter for Health Trust – a nonprofit organization that assists individuals and communities that do not have access to the health-related services and resources they need – is helping women put their skills to work, and also learn about health and study English at the same time.
“There are many women who have talent, but they can’t develop it because of lack of opportunities or because they are too shy,” said Alvarez, who identifies with each of them. “We help each other speak English; I show them where to find help, and programs.”
Last month, Ramirez and three dozen other women attended a piñata-making workshop at the Salvation Army church, put on by Alvarez.
Through the nonprofit Home League, women come together each week for worship, recreation, community service, field trips and other activities. A few times a year, women from the Home League gather for special rallies and retreats.
A few weeks ago, the women were asked what projects they wanted to do in the program. Most of them opted to spend their time sewing, but because a lack of sewing machines, they settled for making piñatas until they can find enough machines to start a sewing workshop.
Ramona Barbara, another participant of this program, took care of the children while the mothers made piñatas.
“Once we learn how to make piñatas, we will go to the flea market and sell them there,” said Barbara, as she waited for the women to arrive.
Many of the women already know each other from participating in other programs, such as the Glen View Alliance – Neighbors Achieving Success.
“Ezperanza, are you lost?” asked Barbara as Ezperanza Perelez peeked through the door.
“I wanted to know what this workshop was all about,” Perelez answered.
While the women attend the workshops, the children are taken into another room. This is a time where these women talk about issues such as health and their children’s education.
Meanwhile, the women inflated green, red and orange balloons while Alvarez mixed flour and water in a large plastic bowl – the first step in making piñata. A pile of newspapers sat in the middle of a large conference table to wrap the balloons with paper and “masa” – a flour-and-water paste – which would later dry around the balloon to form the shell of the piñatas.
While Maria Anaya, a workshop participant, smoothed masa-drenched newspaper on a red balloon, she said she hopes the public will help Home League obtain sewing machines so she can increase her skills as a seamstress.
“We’ll learn how to make curtains, blankets and we can also get some business,” she said.
Like many of these women, Alvarez remembered when she first arrived in the United States and had nowhere to go for help with health issues. The language barrier also was a problem for her, until she got involved with Health Trust. She now speaks to other women about resources available to them, while participating in the various workshops.
Ramirez hopes to participate in more programs.
“I come to learn, and once I learn how to do all these things I’ll be able to sell (what I make) to those who would like to buy,” Ramirez said.
Anyone interested in donating a sewing machine or helping in other ways may call 921-6882 or e-mail sa********@***oo.com.
