Doris: Mother, Immigrant, Businesswoman
America, Doris thought, was a place where even she could live comfortably. Her life in Peru had been marked by poverty but maybe, just maybe, the United States would offer her a chance to redefine her future.
She left everything she knew—her home, her parents, her community—and immigrated to the United States at the age of 17. But instead of abundance, Doris found more hardship; her new home—Paterson, New Jersey—bears a poverty rate more than double the national average.
When she became a mother, Doris felt additional responsibility fall on her shoulders. As she and her husband welcomed three sons into the world between 2010 and 2016, Doris knew it was up to her to provide for them. But given their financial burdens, she just didn’t know how.
First Steps
“I want to start a business,” Doris thought. It was the perfect way to take power into her own hands. And so, this budding entrepreneur and her husband, Julio, launched a business selling used goods from their garage. As the business continued, she bought storage units at auction to expand her inventory.
But she didn’t stop there. Doris launched a cleaning business and bought several rental properties.
It was enough to make a living, but Doris knew she could do more.
Called by God
Through a referral from a pregnancy center, Doris found her way to RENEW (Resources and Education Needed for Empowering Women) Life Center, a local partner of Partners Worldwide that equips moms in Paterson with the educational, financial, and spiritual support they need to overcome generational poverty.
She enrolled in their flagship program, Getting Ahead, where she learned the causes of financial instability, how to build healthy relationships, and how to help her children get a better start in life—all while deepening her relationship with Jesus Christ.
Doris’s greatest breakthrough came during PW’s microenterprise workshop—offered by RENEW—where she learned that business is a holy calling. It’s one of PW’s core philosophies, and it’s one that has resonated with countless businesspeople around the world.
“Now I see my work as a contribution to society,” Doris said, “a way to bring value, integrity, and prestige. My business is not only about profit; it’s about the positive impact I make.”
Affirmed in her calling and surrounded by a network of support, Doris renovated one of her rental properties, upgrading it from a one-bedroom unit to a three-bedroom unit. This investment allowed her to manage her properties more effectively, increasing the rental value and generating higher income for her family.
Giving Back
After more than a decade of participating in RENEW Life Center’s programs, Doris is still taking whatever class she can. Most recently, she took PW’s microenterprise business training. And at graduation, she was selected to give a speech.
"We are so incredibly proud of Doris and all she has accomplished,” said Sheri Drost, Director of Programs at RENEW . “But what stands out most is her deep commitment to her faith and family.”
Through partnership and hard work, Doris has been able to provide for her three boys—food, clothing, school, and a house. Because of their fearless mother, they have a strong foundation for pursuing their own dreams.
Every month, Doris makes a gift to RENEW Life Center. She also volunteers to support single mothers and serves as a mentor in their Getting Ahead Spanish workshop. Their partnership changed her life for the better, and she wants to pay it forward, ensuring that many more women like her can have the opportunity to thrive.
February 26, 2025