“I didn’t really want to teach the class,” Dulce said. “But Gabriel ‘forced’ me to. I didn’t know
how to make bows and had no idea how to even begin. The only way I was going to learn was to buy bows that I liked, take them apart and then put them back together.” It wasn’t long before she was teaching the class and getting more inspiration to create new
bows.
“I’m not the kind of person that if I know something, I’m going to keep it to myself,” Dulce said. “I want to share it with the whole world because anybody can do it. If I can do it, anybody can do it. Now that I have learned how to do it, I don’t want to keep that knowledge to myself. I want to share it, which is why I love teaching the classes.” Dulce’s favorite part of teaching is having women rely on her and ask her questions about the bows. She feels good knowing that people believe in her to succeed. “Dulce is a great person, always smiling and always happy,” Dulce’s case manager Edna Chapa says. “But now she has motivation and responsibility. She’s grown a lot and gained a lot of confidence in herself, and she realizes that there is a lot you can do as a woman and a mother.” For Dulce, Buckner’s influence on her life has shown her that she is ca- pable of doing things for her family. “Every time I went to a class,” Dulce says, “I wanted to do more, and I came to realize that the more I could do at the Hope Center, the more I could do for my family. I began challenging myself to do something newer, bigger and better.” She is inspiring the women in her class also to think this way. Many of
her students approach her with ideas, such as creating a board to hold the bows they make, and she will work with them to execute the idea. “Mainly what we provide is the empowerment,” Edna says. “We want them to believe in themselves. If they don’t believe in themselves, they aren’t going anywhere. Many people handi- cap themselves, but with some motivation and belief, they can move mountains. Dulce is a good example as we have never had an instance where she was not able to do something. She is rubbing off on her family and even the other clients here at the hope center. She encourages them.” The difference for her family has been significant. Vicente said his wife is happier and thinks the classes teach her how to do important things. The difference also is noticeable in their children as they are encouraged to try new things and work at their best level. “Dulce is definitely a go-getter,” Edna says. “Everyone here knows that if you need someone to help, and to help with joy, to contact Dulce.” Through the case management, leadership training and other core classes, the Family Hope Center empowers families like Dulce’s, giving them a sense of worth and hope. Though she was originally drawn into the classes by the promise of a new house, Dulce has ultimately gained more than just a home, but also self-confidence. “I am very thankful to Buckner,” Dulce said. “They have touched my heart in many ways. The educational opportunities have allowed me to progress and move forward as a person.” n
46 Buckner Today • WINTER 2015 ISSUE
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