A new beginning for Anita, Made Possible by the Community 

Written by: Kathy Angel

Anita never imagined she would have to start over. 

Originally from Colombia, Anita came to the United States in 2011 to support her son, Billy. He had arrived years earlier with his father, but as time passed, the challenges of building a life in a new country began to weigh on him. When Anita noticed signs of depression, she made a difficult decision; she left behind her home, part of her family, and her career to be by his side. 

It was, she says, simply an act of a mother’s love. 

Initially, they settled in Bellevue, where Billy worked long hours managing fast-food restaurants to pay for college. Anita studied English while working in restaurant kitchens to help support their household. 

Back in Colombia, Anita had built a successful business making sweet and savory pastries. She had poured years into perfecting her craft before selling her company due to a serious health concern that required surgery. But her passion never left her. 

While learning English, Anita started baking again, this time from scratch, without expecting profit. She simply wanted to share her food and introduce people to the flavors she loved. 

A typical day for Anita started at 5 a.m. and ended close to midnight. She prepared dough, fillings, and even custom cakes. Each item is made with care and pride. For many, her food was more than a treat; it was a taste of home.

Over time, Anita and Billy became deeply rooted in their community. They helped organize local celebrations to bring the Colombian traditions to the neighbors, supported small businesses, and gave back whenever they could. In 2024, they were even donors at Hopelink’s Reaching Out Celebration. 

Then, everything changed. 

On July 20, 2025, Colombia’s Independence Day, Anita was preparing food at home when an unexpected fire broke out. In a matter of minutes, flames spread from their balcony into their entire home. In just seven minutes, more than 13 years of hard work were gone. 

No one was seriously injured, but the loss was devastating. 

“I remember waking up the next day and wondering if it had all been a nightmare,” Anita recalls. “We lost everything: our home, our business supplies, the machines we worked so hard to buy for the fairs. I didn’t know if it was real or just a bad dream.” 

In the face of that loss, their community showed up. 

Neighbors and friends organized fundraisers, donated household items, and helped the family begin again. A connection to a local organization helped them secure permanent housing and led Anita to Hopelink. 

Arriving at the Hopelink Service Center in late summer 2025, Anita felt nervous and unsure of what to expect. 

“I had seen food banks before where they just give you a bag,” she says. “But at Hopelink, everything was different.” 

Hopelink also provided financial assistance to pay the energy bill during a critical time when Billy was out of work. 

“It’s not easy to go from helping others one day to needing help the next,” Anita says. “It teaches you humility, but also gratitude. You realize you are not alone.” 

Today, Billy has found stable employment, and the family is beginning anew. Anita once again fills her kitchen with the familiar rhythms of baking in small batches, finding comfort and strength in the craft she loves. Her dream remains steady and full of hope: to someday own a home for her son and open a bakery where they can flourish, grounded in resilience, generosity, and the roots that have always guided them. 

Now let’s give one of Anita’s recipes a try! 

We want Anita’s passion for her cooking, and the flavors she loves, to make its way into your kitchen, too. Would you like to try preparing one of the cherished Colombian recipes that she generously shared with us? 

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get our hands in the dough as we make her famous Colombian-style Potato and Beef Empanadas, a recipe filled with tradition, love, and the warmth of home. 

For this recipe you will need: 

Preparation: 

Place the beef in a pot with salt and pepper to taste, along with a small amount of beef bouillon. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 45–60 minutes, until very tender. 

While the beef cooks, wash, peel, and finely dice the white and yellow potatoes. Place them in a pot, cover with water, and add salt to taste. Cook over medium heat for 10–15 minutes, until very soft. Drain and lightly mash, keeping a rustic texture. Set aside. 

Once the beef is ready, remove it from the pot and let it cool slightly, then shred it finely. Reserve about ½ cup of the cooking broth for later. 

Now it’s time to make the filling. Heat a little oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the scallions and bell pepper and sauté until soft. Add the garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Stir in the shredded beef, then add the potatoes and mix well. Add a few tablespoons of the reserved broth until the filling is moist but not wet. Stir in the chopped cilantro and cook for 5 minutes. Transfer the filling to the refrigerator to cool completely while preparing the dough. 

To prepare the dough, place the pre‑cooked yellow corn flour and salt in a bowl. Gradually add water while mixing with your hands, then add the oil. Knead until the dough is soft, smooth, and pliable. If the dough cracks, add water one tablespoon at a time. 

Heat about 3 cups of oil in a deep pan to 350–375°F. 

Divide the dough into golf‑ball‑sized portions. Roll each into a ball and place between two pieces of a cut zip‑top bag. Press into a thin circle, about 4–5 inches wide. Place 1–2 tablespoons of filling in the center, fold into a half‑moon, and seal the edges using a small bowl or your fingers. 

ABOUT KATHERINE ANGEL 

Katherine (Kathy) Angel is a proud Latina woman and mom who was born in Bogotá, Colombia. She migrated to the United States in 2022 and started working at Hopelink in 2024 as the Annual Giver Officer, driven by her passion for working with the community. Katherine believes in the power that the stories of the people who belong to our community hold to preserve culture, traditions, and lessons that have flown far and reached where we are today, to contribute to an empathetic, equitable, and diverse place for everyone.