Sunset Park's Mixteca expands: A new chapter for immigrant services
SUNSET PARK, Brooklyn (PIX11) -- In the heart of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, a small but mighty organization is on the brink of a significant transformation. Mixteca, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting immigrants, has recently secured $2.5 million in funding for a new headquarters, marking a pivotal moment in its 24-year history.
On a busy Wednesday morning, Patricia Basurto, a participant from the Mexican state of Guerrero, sat shoulder-to-shoulder with other community members in Mixteca's cramped 2,000-square-foot space. Basurto, who speaks Mixteco, discovered the organization during a visit to Sunset Park when she was struggling with depression after having a baby.
"I was so depressed at the time. I just had my baby, I didn't feel good and I came here," Basurto recalled. "They helped me a lot."
On Wednesday, Basurto applied for a reduced-fare MetroCard to help with her daily commute, just one of the many services Mixteca provides. The organization has become a beacon of hope for many in the community.
"So grateful. So warming, because around here there's nothing else like this," Basurto said, her words echoing the sentiments of many who have found support at Mixteca.
The news of Mixteca's expansion has been met with enthusiasm from participants like Basurto. "They can help more people. I always recommend people to come here because they speak Spanish and they can help you a lot," she added.
The new headquarters, dubbed Casa Mixteca, will be a significant upgrade. At 6,000 square feet, it triples the current space, allowing for enhanced services and greater privacy.
Lorena Kourousias, Mixteca's executive director, spoke with pride about the organization's growth. "We are super proud that Mixteca, an immigrant woman-led organization, is the first Mexican organization buying a building," Kourousias stated.
The four-story facility will include innovative features such as a roof garden, solar panels, and a community kitchen for expanded programming.
Kourousias emphasized the pressing need for this expansion. "The space is big, but the people getting the requested services are growing as well. So the need of services is growing," she explained.
For Kourousias and her team, this new chapter represents more than just a physical expansion. "It is kind of a dream finally having a home, a real home, not a rented home," she said, her words reflecting the deeper significance of this move for the immigrant community they serve.
As Mixteca prepares for its expansion with no set date to move, Basurto reflected on what the organization has meant to her and many others. "This place provides so much information, so much help, I really like this place," she said warmly.
The impact of Mixteca extends far beyond its current walls. For years, the organization has been transforming lives, offering services ranging from mental health support to rent assistance. For more information on Mixteca and its services, click here.