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Presentation Sisters'Latino MinistrySioux Falls, SD AreaCaminando JuntosCaminando Juntos, sponsored by the Aberdeen Presentation Sisters, is an outreach ministry with the Latino population in the Sioux Falls, SD area. Opening its doors in October 2002, Caminando Juntos responds to the gospel mandate to "welcome the stranger." The primary purpose of this ministry is to help create a welcoming presence and to respond to the needs of Latino immigrants as they seek to become a part of their communities and make a home among us in the United States. Caminando Juntos offers assistance to Latinos in areas such as: · learning English · providing immigration legal services · accessing various social services agencies · finding employment, housing transportation, medical and dental services · obtaining vouchers for food, clothing, furniture, and other basic living needs · learning US financial and business practices · responding to women and children in abusive relationships, parenting issues, other psychological and emotional needs Areas of MinistryImmigration, Education, Accompaniment,Women's Support Group
Immigration: Caminando Juntos offers competent, professional, affordable immigration legal services for low-income individuals and families who seek to become a part of area communities. In South Dakota, Caminando Juntos is one of two Board of Immigration Appeals recognized non-profit organizations and has the only bi-lingual Accredited Representative in the state. Additionally, Caminando Juntos provides reliable and accurate information to immigrants about immigration laws and processes as well as options available to individuals and families.
Education: Caminando Juntos provides 5 levels of English classes for adult Latinos in the evening and 3 levels during the daytime. Child care/education is offered for the parents who are studying English. There are plans to begin parenting classes and citizenship preparation classes. Diversity training is offered to area businesses, agencies, schools and healthcare providers to assist the Anglo population in deeper understanding of the Latino culture. Caminando Juntos also advocates for justice and human rights for Hispanics.
Accompaniment: The staff at Caminando Juntos provides accompaniment to Latinos needing help accessing various services. They assist people with filling out a wide variety of forms and translate letters and other correspondence. They provide transportation and translation services for interviews, medical and dental visits as well as banking, insurance and other business needs. They also assist Spanish-speaking parents needing to register their children in school and provide referrals for clothing, furniture and other basic necessities. In this area alone, Caminando Juntos works with an average of 30-40 families or individuals a week.
Women’s Support Groups: Caminando Juntos responds to many women and children who are in abusive relationships. This involves support and accompaniment on an individual basis as well as a Women’s Support Group that meets regularly. Partnering with the Children’s Inn, South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, and the Compass Center are an important part of this effort. Since this program’s inception in 2008, well over 100 women have received assistance and on-going support from Caminando Juntos. SISTERS IN MINSTRYSister Janet Horstman
Sister Sheila Schnell
Sister Consuelo Covarrubias
Sister Gabriella Crowley
Pilar Baron
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MINISTRY NEEDS:
ESL Instruction · instructor stipends · sponsorship of individuals for one year of ESL classes · ESL workbooks and dictionaries · salary stipend for Sisters Immigration Legal Services · updating legal resources · ongoing legal training · citizenship application fees and preparation materials · salary stipend for Sisters Domestic Violence Services · short term crisis fund for immediate temporary placement of individuals and families · sponsorship of one woman enrolled in domestic support groups for one year
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Sister Janet, educated by the Presentation Sisters in Mitchell, S.D., spent 19 years teaching in Catholic high schools in South Dakota and Nebraska. After language and cross-cultural studies, she spent two years ministering in Guerrero, Mexico. For nine years prior to beginning her ministry in Sioux Falls, Sister Janet served as Director of Outreach Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Omaha, Neb. Sister Janet is an Accredited Immigration Specialist and works with individual and families on their immigration needs.
Sister Sheila has worked in the area of spirituality and adult education for over 30 years, offering retreats, Bible studies and spiritual direction. In 1992 she visited Guatemala and Mexico and fell in love with the people and their cultures. After language and cross- cultural studies she taught English to poor street women and children in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Prior to moving to Sioux Falls to begin ministry in 2002, Sister ministered for five years at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Omaha, Neb.
Sister Consuelo, whose parents came from Jalisco, Mexico, is a first generation Mexican-American, born and raised in Montana. A former elementary teacher, she began ministry with her people in 1979. Since then she has been involved in a variety of Hispanic ministries including diocesan and parish ministry in Minnesota, Indiana and Wisconsin. Sister moved to Sioux Falls in 2002 to begin her ministry there.
Sister Gabriella served in health care and parish ministry for many years. From 1980 until 1997 she was a missionary in Guerrero, Mexico. After working with the Good Shepherd Center in Sioux Falls once she returned to the United States, Sister Gabriella now brings her compassionate heart to ministry with Hispanic people in the region.
Pilar is a Latina woman originally from Columbia, South America. She began ministry with Camiando Juntos in 2007 and is responsible for providing office services. Pilar responds to initial contacts, assesses the client's needs and refers the person to a staff member or another Sioux Falls agency. She also assists Sister Janet with legal immigration ministry.