Teresa Bruno

Teresa Bruno, a founding member of Si Se Puede, came to the U.S. from Puebla, Mexico, in 1992. In addition to her house cleaning experience, she worked as a seamstress for 13 years. Teresa lives with her two daughters, ages 11 and 15, on Staten Island.

Alicia Chavez

Alicia Chavez came to the U.S. from Puebla, Mexico, in 1991. Since joining Si Se Puede, she earns more money and is able to spend more time with her family. Alicia lives with her three children in Brooklyn.

Olga Cruz

Olga Cruz came to the U.S. from Puebla, Mexico in 1996 and has since worked as both a house cleaner and a seamstress. One of the advantages of cooperative membership, she notes, is that she has "more control over my schedule, so I can be with my family when I need to." Olga lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two sons.

Margarita Pavon

Margarita Pavon came to the U.S. from Veracruz, Mexico, in 2000. Being a member of Si Se Puede is "one of the best experiences in my life," she says, "I love being an owner of a business and not just an employee." Margarita lives with her husband and two children, ages 8 and 12, in Brooklyn.

Daniela Salazar

Daniela Salazar is from Veracruz, Mexico, where she first worked as a housekeeper. Prior to joining Si Se Puede, she worked in restaurants for three years, and is currently studying for her GED. She cites meeting new people and a flexible schedule as important benefits of membership in the cooperative, adding that she "loves her clients." Daniela has two children, ages 6 and 7, and lives in Brooklyn.

Monica Valerio

Monica Valerio came to the U.S. in 1992 from the Dominican Republic, where she worked as a dietician at a hospital and later ran her own clothing store. Here, Monica has worked as a housekeeper and nanny for nine years. She began working to develop Si Se Puede! in 2006, and says that as one of the cooperative's founding members, she has learned valuable new business and communication skills. Monica lives in Brooklyn with her four children and grandchildren.