Gaby Ruiz

RELAXING AT FAMILY APARTMENT: Nevada Hispanic Services Strengthening Families Program Coordinator Gaby Ruiz (center), 25, with daughter Jenaly, 6, and son Isai Tavares, 4. - Scott Sady/RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
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RELAXING AT FAMILY APARTMENT: Nevada Hispanic Services Strengthening Families Program Coordinator Gaby Ruiz (center), 25, with daughter Jenaly, 6, and son Isai Tavares, 4.
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Gaby Ruiz, Strengthening Families Program coordinator with Nevada Hispanic Services in Reno, joined other Latinas last weekend at Snow Flower Camp in California's Yuba Gap to kick off a professional training series designed just for them.
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Ruiz, who has worked at NHS for two years, said the retreat was an empowering and positive experience.

"It was beautiful," she said.
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They stayed with friends or one of Ruiz's eight siblings while she made extra money cleaning houses and bartending on weekends.

She said caring for her mother was a 24-hour job, but did not want to place Obdulia in a nursing facility.

"Being Hispanic, we value family and didn't want to put her in a home," said Ruiz, noting her sibling found caring for an Alzheimer's patient was too difficult."I guess I knew her the best and I took care of her in her worst stage."

Two years ago, a friend of Obdulia offered Ruiz a 10-hour-a-week job at NHS.The job grew into a full-time position and Ruiz was chosen Employee of the Year for 2004.

"My boss was really flexible and they knew I had to take care of my mother," she said.
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Ruiz said she didn't know what to expect when signing up for the program, but was pleased with the camaraderie among the women.

"As a business woman, you never know what kind of people you are going to encounter," she said.
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"Because of the sickness, she had become abusive and tried to escape," Ruiz said."I just thought it was the best thing for her.

"I still manage to keep her on the weekends.I dye her hair for her."

Ruiz said she has learned patience from taking care of her Obdulia - which shaped the person she is today.

She is working on a bachelor's degree in criminal justice at the University of Phoenix and plans to test for the police academy.

But it was her mother who inspired her dreams: