2001–2002

MUA began the “Muchachitas Unidas” program. A leadership program specially designed for the daughters of MUA members. The girls did plenty of activities like radio presentations, conference participation, leadership trainings and also participated in several theatrical pieces.

After several years of financial problems, NCCIR ceased operations in 2001. MUA’s personnel had to be drastically reduced and eventually all of them where dismissed. Little by little, enough money was raised to rescue MUA and three of its staff members were able to resume operations as part-time workers. MUA became a fiscally sponsored program of the Women’s Foundation.

As a result from the transition between NCCIR and the Woman’s Foundation, MUA began a strategic planning process in order to restructure the organization and develop a long-term plan. A committee for Strategic Planning was developed, made up of members, allies and MUA supporters as a way to document their opinions and learn what should be the group’s priorities.

MUA designed the curriculum for a training called “Liderazgo y Unidad para el Poder Comunitario” (Leadership and Unity for Community Power) and presented it for two groups of MUA members, first in Oakland and later in San Francisco. In both occasions, the training was so successful that MUA’s personnel and members decided to implement it as the new model for their annual leadership training.

Graduates from the Oakland training, held a community campaign to bring attention to the lack of translation services in hospitals and clinics of the Alameda County. They interviewed more than 200 persons, developed a report and presented their findings to Alameda County officials.

Members of “Manos Cariñosas” developed a theater piece and made written materials to transmit important information about workers rights, health rights and security issues that domestic workers may face. Their campaign reached more than 300 domestic workers.

“Manos Cariñosas” presented its first childcare training, fulfilling its goal of expanding the project in order to provide new opportunities for the economic development.