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Art and Advocacy were always an integral part of Juan Ignacio Stewart's life. As part of a Bi-National family, with his mother immigrating from Guatemala and his father being a Boulder local, he spent much of his formative years traveling to Guatemala and learning about the issues faced by the Ladino and Mayan indigenous peoples of the region.
"I was able to learn about the struggle of the indigenous minorities in my mother's home country and I wanted to do something to help," said Stewart. However, this would prove a bit more difficult than he had anticipated. After graduating college he wanted to begin a photography and videography company, but the instruments were expensive and he had no real idea of how to even start a business. "For a while I was borrowing my friends' cameras and computers, but that was time consuming and limited the work I could do, I was dependent on others support to get work done." That is why, when he heard of the PIE program, he immediately signed up. "I don't remember where or how I heard about the program, I just knew that if I could get the matched-savings and learn about starting a business, I would be able to get this dream of mine off the ground," said Juan. After the six-month program, he succeeded and was able to purchase editing software and a camera. "It truly made a difference in my life, I was able to work but also DO work that is important to me. I want to give a voice to the voiceless and going through this program has allowed me to do that." Juan has concentrated his talents on documentaries about the people that inspired him to take this path, as well as teach classes, workshops and youth media programs for teenagers that teach media production as a means for positive youth empowerment, civic engagement, and technology education. In addition to his artistic work, Juan says the classes he took during the PIE program gave him the insight and knowledge to begin another venture - he has taken his mother's famous green chile recipe and started another small business, named Green Belly Foods. "Green Belly Hot Sauces are inspired by my mother, Maria del Carmen, and her traditional Guatemalan home-made hot sauces. They are simple and delicious sauces which are a pleasure to have with many meals," Stewart says. He finished by saying, "I know for a fact that I would not be where I am today without the PIE program, without the matching funds but more importantly, without the classes they offered. Because of this program I was able to start not one, but two businesses. And for that, I am forever grateful." |
The PIE program currently has openings for savers in homeownership, business and education! To learn more contact Nino Gallo at Boulder County Community Action Programs, 303-441-3998 or at [email protected]. For more information click here or here!
