In the second half of 2000, volunteers from Abriendo Puertas used their time dollars to purchase nearly 12,000 pounds of food for themselves and their neighbors, providing food to 502 families. The Time Dollar program has also provided food for 51 family activities and 35 children's activities in Abriendo Puertas' Family Center, and for 154 emergency situations. The child s parents are informed about the Time Dollar group when the child first comes to Abriendo Puertas for an assessment. If they are interested in joining, they are signed up, and they are asked in what ways they would like to help out. The Time Dollar members contribute help and services to the Abriendo Puertas program, other community agencies, and to the other families who belong to the program.
Families decide for themselves what they can and want to do.
Most people cash in their time dollar credits for transportation, clothing computer classes and immigration services. Building a Network of Support Since its start in 1998 the Time Dollar Program has involved 315 families, with about one-third becoming really active. They find that they get new skills, and they come to learn more about the services the center offers. One of the results of the Time Dollar program is that it gives families more access to the center, which has now become a busy hub of activity for the children and their parents. But Flor has also found that people helping each other has created a new network of caring among families in Little Havana.