Zulma Malpica: Helping Through Volunteering

25th Anniversary

Mi Voz
Zulma Malpica
Pablo Lopez
Rocío Ronquillo
Pastor Juan Aguayo and
Father Tom
Merrill
Marlon Ferrey

Crisis Line: 651.772.1611

Mi Voz

Zulma Malpica: Helping Through Volunteering

Zulma Malpica is enthusiastic about learning. She is currently studying English; she has taken (and passed!) four of five tests to obtain her GED, and she dreams of attending college in the future. A volunteer at Casa de Esperanza's Centro de Información y Recursos at Mercado Central in Minneapolis (a member-owned cooperative of Latino businesses), she describes her work there as another opportunity to learn.

Two years ago Zulma came to the United States of America from Mexico with her husband, their children, and their extended families. Settled into her neighborhood close to Mercado Central, Zulma heard about Casa de Esperanza's information center from a friend. It didn't take long for her to call Eveline Rojas, Casa de Esperanza's Community Engagement Coordinator, and to begin her training to work as a volunteer at the center.

Zulma was looking for a way to help people-to volunteer. "When someone is in need in my country, we help each other," she says. "We just don't call it 'volunteering,' as you do in this country."

During her weekly shift at the center, she assists people to find whatever type of information they seek-often on the Internet. On her first day she was a bit intimidated and nervous when someone, who was obviously in a hurry, requested map information. Zulma was able to locate it for him but wondered if he was satisfied with his experience. When he returned a few days later to tell her that the center was "really good," she breathed a sigh of relief.

Zulma remembers that when she came to Minnesota, she knew very little about how this society operates. So she understands the importance of basic, trustworthy information to people's daily lives. The most common requests that she has received for information have related to jobs and health insurance.

Amazed at all that she's learned at the center, Zulma talks with family and friends about available resources. She's currently helping a neighbor research information about health care.

Eveline Rojas is thrilled to have volunteers such as Zulma. She is a part of the local community and shares the experiences of center visitors. She understands their lives and their perspective, and she increases her learning, as well. Zulma says, "It feels good to be able to find information for people and to help them. Each day there are different questions, so I am always learning. The people who come to the center become more comfortable to ask questions, and I learn from each one."