YUMA, Ariz.- Main Street Cafe in Somerton is considered a beacon by some in the small town. The business gives impoverished women or victims of abuse the chance to work toward a better life.
“This is part of our training program where we train individuals to gain skills in the food service management in particular to women. The participants of the welfare program or victims of domestic violence,” Main Street Cafe owner Amanda Aguirre said.
Aguirre paved the way for this opportunity since opening main street cafe 10 years ago. The cafe’s partnership with the Regional Center for Border Health also helps more than 270 women.
Server Maribel Valle whose worked for the business for a full decade says she’s seen the positive influence on women first-hand.
“They’ve got stronger they’ve got better jobs. They’ve bettered their lives. They’ve stepped out of the circle that they’ve lived in. You know they’ve become managers. It’s very nice,” said Valle.
Regardless of circumstances, Aguirre says they continue to work give hope for women in the community.
“Most of the women are single moms that have gone through difficult situations. Whether they are being displaced from work, whether they were working the fields in the past or they have been victims of domestic violence,” Aguirre said.
Aguirre says the work is far from done. With new faces coming through she hopes to keep the program alive for many years to come.
“So for us to empower that women and give them skills to survive in life and to look at life in a different way and to see the hope. We’re just very glad to see that,” Aguirre said.