First Christmas Boutique at Neighborhood Center for Women

Women at Neighborhood Center show pride as quilts and artwork they created are put on display

PASSAIC  Luz Maria Ramirez had never picked up a pastel crayon to create a piece of art and had never used a sewing machine to make a quilt before coming to the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women here. The young mother, who walks to the center a few times a week, decided to take up the classes being offered, not realizing her potential talent.

Now two years later, she is seeing her work being purchased by benefactors and other visitors to the inner-city center along with the craftwork created by other women, mostly immigrants from Mexico and South America who come to the center. The craftwork on sale was all part of the center’s first Christmas Boutique featuring handcrafted items made by the women. All proceeds from each purchase went directly to the women who created the item.

“I never knew I could learn how to knit,” said Ramirez, who is a parishioner at St. Mary of the Assumption here. “I feel happy. The center has allowed me to realize that I am capable of doing a lot of beautiful things.”

Hosting a Christmas Boutique seemed like a dream two years ago since all the women had never made a quilt before. But now in the center’s main parlor room, colorful quilts, Christmas-themed table runners, tote bags and other crafts were on display as many admired the work of the women, many of them mothers with small children. Sister of Charity Patricia Reynolds, who teaches the quilting class, said, “These women are a delight to teach. They get so excited when they complete a project. You can see the pride in their faces.”

The most expensive items to purchase were quilts for $125. Nancy DiRocco, a parishioner of St. Philip Parish in Clifton who volunteers at the center, bought one of these bed size quilts.

“These women took an incredible amount of time to make them and they look professional,” DiRocco said. “I purchased the quilt for my granddaughter as a Christmas gift and I definitely plan on letting her know about the center and the person who made it. This place gives self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment to these women.”

The Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women was founded two years ago after religious orders serving the Diocese discussed ways to engage and help the needy in city areas. A one-of-a-kind center, it was created for women to come together to meet, share, grow, and feel empowered. In addition to art and quilting classes, the center offers English classes, a garden program and a ladies’ night. Since its opening more than 2,500 visits have been made by women to the center, housed in the former rectory of St. Nicholas Parish on Washington Place.

The success of the Christmas Boutique would not have been possible without those who volunteer, benefactors and those who donated to Partners in Faith, the diocesan capital campaign. Sister of Christian Charity Ann Marie Paul, director, said, “The Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women continues to serve the women of Passaic largely because of the generosity of our benefactors. At our first-ever Christmas Boutique and Art Show, our benefactors came through again. Thank you to everyone who came and who bought our women’s beautiful handmade items. We are so very grateful to Sisters of Charity Patricia Reynolds, quilting teacher, and Mary Culhane, art teacher, for their loving guidance and instruction of our women.”

While many of these women struggle financially, they still took the time to serve other people in need. In the summer, they made small bags for children in Haiti served by the Sisters of Charity ministering there.

Holy Trinity parishioner Maria Martinez said, “It was exciting to see things we made go on sale. The people here are very nice and I made many friends here. This place has changed my life.”

For limited items still on sale, contact Sister of Christian Charity Ann Marie Paul (973) 470-0844 or sam@patersondiocese.org.