Ana Martinez de Luco facts for kids

Ana Martinez de Luco (born around 1960 or 1961) is a nun who started a special recycling center called Sure We Can. This center is the only non-profit place in New York City where people can redeem (or cash in) their bottles and cans.

Ana de Luco's main goal is to create good, respectful jobs for people who collect cans. These "canners" often include immigrants, people with disabilities, older adults, and those who are poor or homeless.

Early Life

Ana de Luco was born in a region called Basque Country.

Helping Others: Sure We Can

Becoming a Nun

Ana de Luco became a nun when she was 19 years old. She is part of a group called the Sisters for Christian Community. She also teaches workshops, helping people learn about "worker cooperatives." These are businesses that are owned and run by the workers themselves.

Starting Sure We Can

Ana de Luco moved to New York City in 2004. A few years later, in 2007, she founded Sure We Can. This center helps many people by giving them a safe and fair place to work. In 2016, she decided to step down from her main leadership position at Sure We Can.

Images for kids

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  Sure We Can redemption center in Brooklyn, New York

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  Ana and Eugene, who helped start Sure We Can, at an Earth Day celebration in 2023

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  Ana Martinez de Luco playing guitar at the Earth Day 2023 celebration

See also

In Spanish: Ana Martínez de Luco para niños