Stories and articles featuring the family-focused services of Las Cumbres Community Services in Northern New Mexico.
Today the agency is home to 200 employees and serves Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, Taos, and Los Alamos Counties, a selection of Bernalillo County families. LCCS provides early intervention for children with or at risk of developmental delays; residential and community-integrated programs for adults who identify with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities; a preschool for 3- and 4-year olds in the Española Valley.
Angel (not actual name) is a 7th grader in Taos who, like many, can struggle with online school platform. Given the distinct challenges the past year’s pandemic put in place, Angel continues to do his best to participate in his daily conferences and complete all of his homework assignments. Every Friday, Angel and his Santuario del Corazón Family Navigator, Jose Gonzalez, work together to complete any missing homework assignments and spend leisure time together playing UNO and drawing. In addition, Jose participates in monthly meetings with Angel’s teachers to ensure that Angel is following his academic plan.
“Remote learning has been a challenge for a number of our clients and students across the Taos district. Our goal remains to support students and families through these trying times. We understand education is one of the most valuable components of the family’s structure in Northern New Mexico as it opens opportunities toward future enrollment in high school and, ultimately, toward his personal career choice” explains Jose who also serves as the Santuario Program Manager. Angel also enjoys playing Xbox 360 and one of his favorite games is Godzilla; he enjoys the outdoors and helping his younger siblings with their homework. Angel wants to be a policeman when he grows up to protect families and children from “bad people”. Angel has been a Santuario del Corazon client for two years. Las Cumbres’ Santuario program, supporting immigrant families to connect with important resources in Northern New Mexico, is assisted by numerous generous local funders including LANL Foundation, Con Alma Health Foundation, Catholic Charities, Doris Goodwin Walbridge Foundation, and the Robert T. Keeler Foundation.
To learn more about or to donate to the Santuario Program, visit their website here.
