'Enterprising Latinas' changes lives in Wimauma

WIMAUMA (FOX 13) - On a busy road in Wimauma, there are big things going on in a small building. 

They call the center Enterprising Latinas and it’s the brainchild of Liz Gutierrez. She started the non-profit to help Latino women in the Wimauma community have a positive economic future. 

"There is such a wage gap and a wealth gap among the Latinos and the rest of the population," said Gutierrez . "I thought there's something and somebody that can do something about this." 

Elsie Flores came to the center last year after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. She is now the education coordinator for the center. 

"Enterprising Latinas for me is a great opportunity,” she said. “I grow in this place." 

The program is helping to close the disparity gap between the haves and the have-nots by offering culinary and childcare training and other programs to impact the lives of women. 

"We know if we invest in women, we're investing in entire families, we're investing in the community," Gutierrez said. 

The one-on-one attention helps spur success, providing skills for women so that they can have a financially secure future. 

"When you get involved with us, not only are we going to help you through to address whatever barriers individually you may have, but also that longer path of where you are going," Gutierrez added. 

LINK: For more information, visit www.enterprisinglatinas.org