Setting Intentions for Connection in 2021

By Julia Sykes  In October, one of my first tasks with Taller de José involved going through a list of clients who had received assistance from Compañerx(s) through the process of citizenship over the last few years. I was tasked to call and ask if they knew where they would be voting in the upcoming election. Though apprehensive to begin my internship with cold calls, I was quickly comforted by…

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Living In Slow Motion

By Rosie Cisneros In January of 2020, before the announcement of the stay-at-home order, I was able to take a trip with my dad to Guatemala. We had booked our flights earlier in 2019. I remember the feeling of exhilaration, to be able to finally spend time together. One memory that stood out to me…

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Looking to the Future

By Karina Gonzalez When I first started my internship at Taller de José, I felt concerned about how the agency was going to deliver services remotely since the main form of intervention that Taller de Jose participates in is accompaniment. However, my concerns were almost instantly quelled as I came to learn about the new…

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My Work As a Compañera

by Estefany Ojeda I started my work as a Compañera at Taller de José in September 2020. As a Compañera I have been able to help clients find resources in the community and provide offsite accompaniments. Due the pandemic there is a need for financial assistance, and thanks to the Taller de José COVID-19 relief…

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A Path to Normalcy

by Brenda Rodriguez It feels really nice to be back at the office. I get to see some of my colleagues again after three months of not seeing them in-person. I can feel that there is that sense of normalcy starting to kick-in. Slowly but surely, I am settling back into a great routine of filling out applications, answering…

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The Gift of a New Day

by Mary LaVigne In reflecting on my first months here at Taller de José, I have learned so much about what accompaniment means, and how it looks in our current context. From Zoom training and webinars to my first appointment and in-person accompaniment, I have been reminded of one important thing. Day by day. That…

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Walking with the Wind

by Maria Post “I have never appreciated the incarnate nature of God more.”  Someone recently shared this reflection at a virtual retreat I attended, while lamenting that we could not be together in person. Since then, I have found myself quoting them often, every time I find myself overjoyed to be in the presence of…

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