Love is the basic language at West Town's Julia Center 

By Gabija Steponenaite 

“They immigrated, and then they lived happily after.” A statement such as this quite often misrepresents an immigrant's reality in a new country. Although many immigrants leave behind countries torn by political turmoil or devastated by wars, the beginning of their life in a different country often is no less challenging. Poverty, rejection, loneliness, depression, fear, and inability to relate to a surrounding environment are just some of the difficulties an immigrant may face in what was thought to be a land where dreams come true. 

For more than 16 years, the Julia Center has extended a caring hand to those who need help and support in their new country. Now it is offering that care in a new location, 1520 W. Chicago Ave., having moved from 1429 W. Chicago Ave. recently.

“When a decision was made to close St. Boniface Church in West Town, we did not want our parishioners to feel abandoned by their church," said Sr. Beatrice Haines, one of the Julia Center’s founders. "We wanted to open a center that would provide a welcoming place and support for the residents of the neighborhood, with a particular focus on women and children.”

            Before its closing in 1990, St. Boniface counted 1,000 registered parishioners. A small group of Victory Noll nuns actively involved in the parish asked their order, Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters, if they could continue ministering in the area. After the order agreed, the nuns conducted a survey to better understand parishioners’ needs and then developed programs in what they called the Julia Center based on the survey responses. “Love is our basic language,” Sr. Haines explained.

           

Honoring Sr. Julia Doyle

The center was named for Sister Julia Doyle, who hailed from Chicago and was the first member of the Victory Noll community. This Roman Catholic order is a "non–institutional" community; sisters are not bound to certain places such as schools or hospitals and can move from place to place to fulfill their perceived mission.

            The nuns launched the Julia Center in a modest two bedroom apartment in West Town, where 20 women would come to read and discuss scripture, learn English, and take cooking and sewing classes. The sisters also started an enrichment program in which experts explain various life issues. “It was a very homey atmosphere," recalled Sr. Mary Ellen Descourouez, another of the center’s founders. "We would read the scriptures, and babies would crawl around.”

Attendance grew so much the nuns had to rent more space and eventually move to bigger quarters. Since last year, the number of registered members has doubled to 150.

“Last year we had a long waiting list of women wanting to participate in the center’s activities, but the space was too small to greet everyone,” Sr. Haines explained.

            One of the Julia Center’s primary goals is helping immigrant women assimilate into their new culture, build self-esteem, meet new friends, and become productive members of society. “Quite often immigrant women stay at home and take care of their children and families," said Sr. Descourouez. "They do not have opportunities to go out and socialize with other people other than immediate family members.”

 

Becoming leaders

The Julia Center has helped many immigrant women make a first step toward discovering their new culture; later these shy and humble women reveal themselves as energetic leaders and role models for others. “One day a woman came to our center," said Sr. Haines. "She could hardly speak English. She was afraid to meet new people or leave her house without her husband. Although the church was a big part of her life in Mexico, she did not have the courage to go to a church in Chicago. At the center she started learning English, met new friends, and gradually she gained more confidence. Now she is a member of our leadership group.”

Members often develop strong friendships and become inspired to help others. Some keep attending classes just to enjoy time with friends, and one former member established a similar center in Mexico.

            The Julia Center’s programs are tailored to meet members’ most pressing needs. They can attend English language lessons, general education development (GED) certificate/high school equivalency classes, women’s enrichment workshops, scripture reading, arts and crafts workshops, and citizenship education classes. The center’s babysitting room is staffed by four women who take care of children while their mothers study at the classroom.

            Parenting classes are very well attended “When I was teaching a parenting class we focused on how to discipline children without getting frustrated and angry and how to avoid shouting when dealing with a disobedient child," Sr. Descourouez remembered. "It seems that disciplining children was a very important issue.”

            In the first survey, before the center opened, parishioners particularly asked for a sewing class. “Women create very nice clothes for their families and themselves," said Sr. Haines. "They feel proud of being able to create something beautiful, to help their family financially, and be acknowledged during our annual fashion show.”

 

Cultural heritage

Sewing students also create dance clothes for children attending Mexican folkdance class. “It is very nice to see children being happy for not losing their cultural identity, dancing, and being proud of their cultural heritage,” said Sr. Descourouez.

The folkdancing has been so successful that Julia Center’s Ballet Folklorico has performed at various Chicago institutions and events.

            The center’s biggest event is the annual Clausura celebration in May, when participants receive recognition and certificates of achievement.

            All classes are free, except for the sewing class, which costs $10 per month. Grants and individual and group donations have been one of the center’s main sources of financial support. The organization also has developed a close relationship with the Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge, IL, which helps organize Julia Center’s annual rummage sale.

            “Women have a very strong ownership of the center, and this center would not exist without them," said Sr. Haines. "The most beautiful part is to see them helping and supporting each other.”

            Call (312) 421-1545 or e-mail juliacenter@juno.com.