DOING MORE FOR A DIGNIFIED LIFE

When you see the "Aztec" dancers in front of the Parroquia or anywhere else around town, decked out in spectacular makeup, striking costumes and astounding feather headdresses, their ankles jingling with the bells tied around them, doing their tireless, agile, thrilling dance routines, you probably think something like--ah, this is why I live here--it’s so beautiful, so colorful. But do you ever think about where these quintessential San Miguelenses might be living? Of course not. We just assume that everyone has a roof over their heads and a place to cook, eat. sit, and lie down. Well, Ramon Jimenez Ramirez (who’s a dancer) and his family do--it's just that until Casita Linda came

along all four of them have had to sleep in one bed in a room hardly larger than the bed itself. The "room" was all there was to the house, there wasn't any other space. Just one room about 7x9, maybe, that Ramon built himself with whatever was lying around on the tiny piece of land in the campo they've been paying off for a few years. Ramon and his older daughter (she’s all of eight) dance in all the local dias de festivos--they're actually Mapache dancers (the word refers to an ancient tribe of indigenous people). Holly Wilmeth, who took their pictures out in the campo on the day we visited, thought Ramon looked familiar from the many photos she's

At Last A Place to Lay Their Heads . . . .By Carol Wheeler

Photos by Holly W

ilmeth

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taken of the dancers, and it turned out that she was right: Ramon even had a copy of a couple of the pictures she'd taken of him. (Although Ramon's dance makeup is so creative and transforming, it's hard to know how Holly saw that it was him.) Yes, the dancers who are such a huge part of San Miguel’s culture, who add so much to our delight in being here in this charming place, do get paid for what they do, by some official body. But to no one’s surprise, their wages are minimal. Ramon works in construction, too, when he’s lucky enough to find a job. He happens to have one right now but of course he doesn’t know how long it will last. Ramon and Silvia and their two darling daughters--Alma Lizbeth and Julissa (known as Lisa) Otilla, who

is four--had been living in tiny, rudimentary, rented houses in the campo until a year or so ago when they found a little piece of land they could call their own and decided to spend the money they'd been paying for rent on paying off their land. The land, of course, had nothing on it but a bit of debris, which Ramon turned into a somewhat-indoor, very tiny, very rough space for the four of them. Since there was no way to lock up the house, they needed a good guard dog. The dog they have is so aggressive he has to be tied up when people are around, but he won't let anyone near their "house," so that's good. Ramon says he had no plans for how he could ever improve their living conditions, but then by some lucky coincidence, people from Casita Linda (especially Irma Rosada) happened by and saw how they were living. And helped them get their papers together to qualify for a brand-new adobe house, courtesy of Casita Linda. The little family does have dreams though. In looking for work themselves, both Ramon and Silvia have discovered how all employers want people who’ve finished high school, so they’re both very hopeful that their children can stay in school and go that far. Right now, they’re feeling lucky because their daughters’ school is just down the road; the children can walk there (a huge advantage because the campo outside San Miguel is often a huge expanse of nowhere at all; difficult to get anywhere without a car or at least a bike that can cover some distance). Ramon and Silvia have really enjoyed working ontheir new house (when they can) with their new friends from Casita Linda. They emphasize that, even when the volunteers don’t speak Spanish, it’s not a problem;they’re so nice. What a lovely family--what darlinglittle girls--the day we were there, they were as impishand adorable as any little girls could be; hard to placethem as little kids who have to sleep in the same bed astheir parents because there is no other indoor space.

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Alma in pink pants; Lisa in pink shoes. What could be cuter. And they were all so excited about their spacious new house with the blue window frames. When asked what they would want most if they could have anything, mom and dad agreed on “dependable work, having a job that’s steady”--that’s something they, like all their fellow campesinos, can never count on. With Ramon now working at least five days a week, they are all “muy contenta.” And the moment their new casita Linda is finished, they will be even more so.

Please note: This family's casita linda, our group's 30th (!), is almost complete. It will be ready for move-in during the month of April. That's when Casita Linda will hold a dedication ceremony and Silvia, Ramon, Alma and Lisa will finally have a real home to call their own.

This past year, Casita Linda initiated a partnership with Zumar Contigo, a social services agency created by the Office of the Secretary of Human and Social Development of the State of Guanajuato. Families selected for assistance by both organizations are classified as living in extreme poverty. In the State of Guanajuato, extreme poverty means the families are living in conditions that lack basic infrastructure such as water, sewage and electricity. Many of these families have been living in conditions of extreme poverty for generations, experiencing lack of food, education, medicine, adequate shelter, and chronic unemployment.

A representative of Zumar Contigo collaborates with Casita Linda, assisting us in identifying families that are in the greatest need of improved shelter. Families must have a clear title to the land on which a house is built, and they must participate in the actual construction to the degree they are able. Zumar

Contigo continues to work with the family after Casita Linda’s construction is complete. Their goal is to provide the necessary tools for these families to develop a sense of achievement and involvement with their community, while inviting other members of their neighborhood to improve their standard of living by following the steps that Zumar outlines for them.

The program also helps people who are unable to find jobs due to poor education or lack of technical skills. Support is also provided in cultural and artistic areas, as well as in sports. Ideally, Zumar commits to working with each recipient family for a 2 year period. As Casita Linda’s primary focus remains the actual building of homes this social services partnership with Zumar Contigo offers a truly complementary addition to the broad goals Casita Linda has established relative to helping families alter the destiny of poverty by providing these families with a foundation of hope.

Casita Linda Partners with Zumar ContigoBy: William Greenfield and Ariadna Delsol-Kirsebom

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We are delighted to report that we have commitments from 9 people to host a "Generous Helpings" dinner. These people are free to host in whatever month they choose so it will not happen all at once. Now that the weather is improving and we are getting out and about more, we hope that all the Casita Linda volunteers will spread the word about Generous Helpings both in San Miguel and throughout our wider support community, and that they, too, will host an event. Remember, it need not be an elaborate dinner; cocktails, barbeque, girls night out, Sunday brunch...whatever you would like to do with your friends with the proceeds going to Casita Linda. This can spread like wildfire. Ask your friends at your event to host another one and on and on it goes! July 4th is fast approaching. This would be a great time for hosting a barbeque and at the same time, helping those less fortunate.

For those of you who are hearing about Generous Helpings for the first time we’ve included some further information about the program here. Casita Linda will handle the non-food and beverage logistical responsibilities for each event including sending out special “evites” to each host’s guest list and will handle the pre-paid reservations, which are fully tax deductible. Each host will determine the cost of their own individual event. More specific details concerning the scheduling and planning of a Generous Helpings event may be obtained by contacting Louise Gilliam at gilliamassociates@yahoo.com.

About Generous Helpings.....

By Louise Gilliam

Casita Linda has joined the world of social media networking and we’re asking you to become a fan and help spread the word. All it takes is a Facebook account to become a Casita Linda fan because Casita Linda now has a Facebook page.

How does becoming a fan help Casita Linda? You will be able to post information about Casita Linda and its events on your Facebook wall. You can direct others to see Casita Linda photos and videos on our Facebook page. Your Facebook Profile page “fan” status will include the Casita Linda logo and a link that others can follow to our Facebook page.

To become a Fan, log on to your Facebook page and type Casita Linda into the search box at the top of your home page. Once there, look on the top next to our name and click “Become a Fan.” That’s all there is to it.

If you don’t have a Facebook account you will need to become a member. Here is all you need to know:

Go to www.facebook.com and click the Sign Up button. You will be asked for information, including an email address. Facebook will send you an email asking you to confirm your request for membership. Once you have done this your membership in Facebook is activated.

Where do you go after activation? There are some simple and quick tasks you will want to do to ensure

your privacy and to learn how Facebook works and how you can use it.

Look at the top of your Facebook page, and go to the Account button with a down arrow that is on the far right. This opens to a “drop down” menu that includes a link to the Facebook Help Center.

The Help Center provides all the information you will need to set up and use your Facebook page. One of the first things you will want to do is manage your Privacy settings. Take a look at the first section in the middle of the page. Find the first topic in the third column. This is labeled Privacy. Click on it for an overview of how to control your information on Facebook. It has suggestions on how to determine who can connect with you and who can see your information online. These privacy settings will eliminate bothersome emails from unwanted contacts.

The Help Center is a great place to learn more about Facebook and the many options you have for finding long lost schoolmates, past co-workers, family … the possibilities are endless and the world is the limit.

Facebook is a great place to share, (even photos and videos), to support causes, and to spread the word about your own favorites – like Casita Linda!

Casita Linda and . . . .By Jennifer Primrose

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We are very proud and ever so grateful to be able to announce that 2009 saw a doubling of our donor base. Despite the difficult economic times the number of Casita Linda donors increased from just over 70 to 150 year over year for the year ended December 31. We obviously owe a great debt of gratitude to the several foundations, organizations and individuals whose overwhelming generosity provide Casita Linda with its underpinnings but we are truly humbled by what is rapidly becoming a small army of modest donors. All donors, large and small, are listed below with the exception of those few who have asked to remain anonymous. Casita Linda thanks you one and all and we look forward to being able to report yet another “doubling” come next year.

Under $100Warren & Jane Baldwin, Julienne Bilker, Jeffrey & Wendy Cohen, Charles Cornelius, Mary Cronmiller, Jo Curtis, Stephanie Davis, Nora Diehl, Alan Field, Carol Fox, Barbara Gorman, Ken Herbert, Tim Johnson, Mike Judd, Georgina Kiraly, Tom & Diane Levinson, Stan Litch, Alan & Pat Lynch, Darren Mancini, Scott & Naomi McKay, Matthew & Lilly McSweeney, Meh Realty, David & Lia Milroy, Inary & Robert Milroy, Mountain Avenue, John Price, Ro & Bertha Ramirez, Suzanne Riess, Hal Shand, Larry Shroyer, William & Mara Stark, Marjorie Taft, Laura Torbet.

$100 - $249Richard Alfred & Lynn Goldsmith, Paul Allen, Marge Allen & Jeff Faux, Bruce Backer & Deb Spilfogel, Serena Baker, Jane E. Bennett, Judith &

Cyrus Berlowitz, Berlowitz Family Trust, Lars & Patricia Boesen, Kati Breckenridge, Carole S. Buncher, Jeff & Suzanne Castner, Community Affordable Housing Corp., Charles & Tasha Cunliffe, Donna Elrod, Justin Friedman, Michael & Jean Gerber, Mike & Karen Goot, Jeanette & Nick Gordon, James Graybill & Ugo Sap, Bill Greenfield & Joan Strouse, Sue Griffen & Steve van Driver, Kirby & Faye Guidry, Warren & Tuli Hardy, Jack & Rosa Harop, Ken Herbert, John Houston & Katherine Ann Read, John & Karen Janak, Lynn Kirshbaum.

$100 - $249Darlene & Niall Kavanagh, S.M. Knoll/Johnson, Longhorn Steak House, Dr. Marilyn Fraser Kulik, Barbara Laden, Lynn Learned, Al & Rhonda Lerner, Gordon & Muriel Logan, Juan Antonio Loyola, Sid & Ida Martin, Jane E. McCarthy, Matthew & Kim McDonald, Bob Melton, Robert Millage, John H.

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2009 Giving: – A Very Good Year for Casita Linda

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Mudd, Kate Murphy, Cathleen (Kate) Z. Murray, Susan Page & Mayer Shacter, Joel & Eleanor Pelcyger, Leonard (Bud) & Donna Phillips, Candace Pohl, Michael H. Pope, Michael & Marjorie Pope, Ted & Carla Reid, Arthur & Virginia Robbins, Patricia Sanborn, Sheridan Sansegundo, Scotia Bank, Lynn Seator, Deborah Shores, Jerry & Donna Slepak, Michael Sudheer, Bob & Claudia Thomas, Harold & Maureen Vandine, Mary Katherine Wainright, Terry & Chris Weathers, Carol Wheeler, Roger & Connie Williams, Farley Wheelright, Alexis White & Mark Bilker, Hope Wolf, Patrice Wynne.

$250 - $499Bank of America, Jessie M. Barkley, Robert & Suzanne Boas, Michelle Connor, Wendy Angela Croft, MM Purcell & Peggy Dowling, Jennifer Eckert, Paul & Marion Fishman, Wayne & Linda Hilson, J.K. Group Inc, Alan & Pat Lynch, Christine Masters, George & Ann Mauze, Michelle & William Miller, Paul & Teresita O’Beime, Wendy & Michael Salinsky, Simone & Dennis Stark.

$500 - $999Anonymous, Artesana-Rosewood Residences, Catherine & John Balesttreri, Hans & Angie Brouwers, Rebecca Carney, Casa Misha, Roz Colley, Laurie Cousart, Sally Griffith Gallagher, Carol Jackson & Art Bone, Michael Koen, Nicole Antonia Lopez, Ric McBrier, Don & Joan McGillivray, Alfred Moniot & Louise Gilliam, Debe & Jay Moscowitz, Mario Padilla, Nancy Phillips, Ken &

Doreen Rushka, Bill & Sandra Scott, Karla Talavera, Robert Watters, Saul & Linda Whynman, Kimberly Zimmerman, Judith M. Zivko.

$1,000 - $4,999Anonymous, Jane & Leonard Bird, Casa Castilla

(SMA), Larry Castriotta, Jean Cole, Barbara Cronmiller & Lisa Damon, First Presbyterian Church (Fargo, N.D.), Randy Hale, Rich McClarty, Robert & Carol Merchasin, Kevin & Karen Murphy, Select

Real Estate.

$5,000 and Above

Alexandra ConnellGolden Rule Foundation

Russell H. LoweParker Street Foundation

The San Miguel Community FoundationWilkinson Family Foundation

Casita Linda also wishes to acknowledge its many in-kind donors whose generous contributions add so much to the effectiveness of our organization:

Artesana-Rosewood Residences, Casa Castilla, Casa Linda, Casa Micha, Roz Colley, El Pegaso, Jody & Jordan Feagan, Rancho del Sol Dorado, San Miguel

Super Shuttle, Scotia Bank, Select Real Estate, Maggie Sperling.