Today we’d like to introduce you to Vivian Nieto
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Amigas Punto Com (Spanish for Friends Dot Com) was created in June 2005 and in December 2006 we received the 501 © 3 non-profit status. Born out of our own traumatic experiences, Amigas Punto Com offers support to other Latino women during challenging and life altering circumstances such as the death of a child, divorce, illness, loss and abuse. We believe that key to successfully overcoming crisis and trauma is to have faith, family and network of friends providing physical, spiritual and emotional support.
Throughout the past 20 years, the services and programs we have offered have consisted of:
individual mentoring sessions, weekly in person and virtual workshops, conferences,-seminars and retreats,
Our programs emphasize the importance of healthy emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual lifestyles and relationships. Critical needs are assessed and addressed by classes such as: Setting boundaries The Divorce and Separation Process; The Grief Process. Learning our Love Languages; Getting to know our Temperament; Character and Personality; Abuse; Inner Healing; Acceptance; Living Free of Bitterness, Saying no to Domestic VIolence.and Abuse are but a sample of the courses offered.
A great number of Latino families struggle financially so we try to keep our activities with no cost or only charging a minimal fee for service. All adult workshops are given in Spanish, except when the speaker speaks English, simultaneous interpretation is provided
Participants are from cities in San Diego County with the majority from the Chula Vista, National City, and South San Diego. . Each workshop attendance varies from 30 to 60 participants with the average attendance in our conferences of approximately 150-200.
We are taking action to support and transform women and their families. By helping women to overcome adversity, obstacles, and hardship, we begin to change her family, community, and ultimately her world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, but a road with many satisfactions and rewards. It has been hard to have our own permanent facility. Have a good operating board because we are a working board. Have a donor base or receive grants. Hire a grant writer, and an executive director.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I am most proud of is the impact we have had on the women that have attended our programs throughout the past 20 years. THousands have become aware that they can heal, change, forgive and become the person they want to be in life while working on healing the wounds and overcoming adversity with the help of new friends. Women start new lasting friendships within the group. The work we do with the women doesn’t just stay with them, they pass their own experiences and knowledge to the other women they encounter in their lives and the impact continues .
What sets us apart from others is that our [programs are only in Spanish knowing and understanding the culture and heart of the Latino community.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
We want to continue doing the work we do under one roof and partnering with other organizations. We want to be a resource center connecting our attendees with other organizations that can help them with their needs. We would like to have a facility that might be able to house women that cannot leave an abusive relationship because they do not have the resources.
We want to continue with our mission: which is: to educate, equip and empower Latino women and their families with tools to overcome adversity and learn to develop healthy relationships and lifestyles.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amigaspuntocom.org
- Instagram: amigs punto com
- Facebook: amigas punto com
- Youtube: amigas punto com
