News & Updates
A Story of Empowerment from Keeler Women’s Center
Elizabeth Garcia Aguilar found a supportive community at Keeler Women's Center (KWC) after moving to Kansas City in 2021. Through her involvement in various programs, she gained confidence, learned English, and later secured a full-time position as a nutrition assistant. Elizabeth's leadership was recognized with a Certificate of Recognition in 2024.
Elizabeth Garcia Aguilar had no relatives or friends in Kansas City, Kansas, when she and her husband relocated to the area in 2021 for her husband’s new job. However, Elizabeth quickly found a supportive community at Keeler Women’s Center (KWC). She joined the Grupo de Apoyo Las Mujeres (a Hispanic women’s support group) and soon became involved in many other KWC offerings: health education, financial literacy, spiritual direction and formation, and hobbies/crafts. “I loved this place so much that I was coming four days a week; I wanted to be involved in everything,” she said.
Wanting to show gratitude for the support she found at KWC, Elizabeth offered to help with cleaning. In the meantime, she says, “I was practicing my English, which gave me confidence.” When KWC was seeking a bilingual receptionist, she was able to fill that position.
After Elizabeth obtained a green card and a driver’s license, a member of the KWC Advisory Board invited her to apply for a job as a nutrition assistant with the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program through K-State Research and Extension. Elizabeth was hired and began to work full time in September 2024. In November 2024, she received a Certificate of Recognition for “effective and inspiring leadership and service in support of Extension work in Kansas” from K-State Research and Extension.
“I was practicing my English, which gave me confidence.”
Elizabeth Garcia Aguilar
Elizabeth’s job entails teaching nutrition classes at various organizations, with a focus on eating healthy foods, saving money by being a smart shopper, and exercising for better health. She offered an 8-week series of nutrition classes in Spanish at KWC in January and February of 2025, and she will teach the classes in English starting in March.
Elizabeth says of KWC, “This place is amazing; their mission is to empower women, and that’s what they did for me. I’m so grateful for the wonderful support I received from Sisters Bridget [Dickason], Maria [Nguyen], Oanh [Pham], Helga [Leija], and other sisters. Now that I’m working full time, I miss them so much! I’m thankful for all the help they’ve provided me and for their friendship.”
