Stories and articles featuring the family-focused services of Las Cumbres Community Services in Northern New Mexico.
“I am grateful for my days spent with a group of creative, happy individuals whose contagious joy fills me with energy and purpose” Adult Services Director Nanette Martinez exclaims following a recent “Paint Day” at Las Cumbres Adult Services (AS) Day Habilitation building. “We want to provide joy that is experienced by all”, Martinez continues. Community artists and art teachers are invited to join staff and clients during Day Services to introduce a project with which attendees can interact.
“Yessenia” along with her children “Erik” and “Isabella” (not their real names), embarked on a journey of courage and resilience, leaving their homeland of Honduras in late 2018. Fleeing poverty and the escalating threat of violence against women, Yessenia made the difficult decision to protect her family from the violent gang "La Mara" and the dangerous environment.
We are thrilled to shine the spotlight on one of our dedicated team members, Jazmin Morales, who has become an integral part of our Las Cumbres family in the Santuario del Corazón Program. Jazmin joined us driven by a friend's glowing recommendation, and we're grateful that her journey led her to us.
In the heart of a bustling high school, there is a diverse group of students, primarily from Mexico and Central America, who face a particularly tough challenge, among all the hurdles that they face seeking to acclimate to their new homes in the U.S. They struggle with some of their classes because course material is not always available for them in..
“We are a voice for families, advocating for them to stay intact by creating solutions to help families connect to resources in the community and address their basic needs, such as food and shelter, while also implementing safety approaches to prevent unnecessary out-of-home placements,” says Kimberly Lucero, Community Based Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Reunification (CBPIR) Program Manager. Ms. Lucero enthusiastically expresses her gratitude for two recent contract awards, extending CBPIR services at Las Cumbres.
CBPIR assistance has just expanded with two four-year contract awards to the agency through New Mexico’s Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) and the CYFD Prevention and Initiatives Bureau. Las Cumbres has been providing CBPIR services since 2015 in four counties, Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Taos. Beginning in July of 2021, CBPIR services expanded to Bernalillo County. With the continuation of CBPIR services, coupled with a new Family Outreach Services contract, Las Cumbres will continue to assure that all children, youth and families are healthy, safe, nurtured and thriving and strengthened by their culture and community.
“Our team of navigators are wholeheartedly invested in supporting families through some of the toughest times in their lives. We understand that during those tough times, the risks of neglect are higher and when families need our services most. We will continue to empower caregivers to assure safe and healthy families, which ultimately supports every child's right to a loving and secure environment”, explains Lucero.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 15 in every 1,000 children in New Mexico are identified as victims of maltreatment. This number is nearly double the U.S. rate of 8 in 1,000. Las Cumbres’ CBPIR and Family Outreach programming seeks to increase the community’s general knowledge about child abuse and neglect and awareness of child abuse prevention services along with provision of services to address issues of abuse and neglect before they occur. This includes case management, increased parenting skills for caregivers, and working with families after a child returns that may have been temporarily placed in foster care.
“Additionally, when we are unable to prevent out-of-home placements,” Lucero continues, “we will work closely to support families during the reunification process, ensuring that children can return home to loving arms after temporary foster care placements. We are deeply appreciative for the trust placed in us by CYFD and the opportunity to serve our community in the fight against child abuse and neglect.”
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a young family faced an uncertain future. Carlos and Maria fled from extreme danger in their country of origin and arrived in the U.S., six months pregnant with twin baby boys, in search of safety for themselves and their children. Despite the severity of the journey, the couple finally arrived in New Mexico, hoping to find a stable home. But their new path was not without obstacles: the family found themselves entangled in legal proceedings that threatened to separate their family and uproot their lives once again.
The WINGS program staff began to work intensively with Carlos and Maria, helping Maria connect immediately with prenatal healthcare resources and supports while also facilitating the couple’s access to direct legal representation from immigration attorneys through WINGS’ community partners. As the family faced an imminent separation, the babies began to be in danger from Maria’s high levels of stress and anxiety, prompting several emergency hospital visits. Recognizing the urgency of the family’s case and the twins’ upcoming due date, the team worked to delay the legal proceedings, ensuring that the family was able to rest, heal, and receive all the necessary care and support from their new community.
Finally, after weeks of advocacy, applications, and waiting, WINGS and the partnering immigration team received word that the family’s proceedings were postponed until autumn. While only a temporary reprieve, it granted the family enough time to continue working through their complex asylum process.
Not long after receiving the good news, Maria and Carlos were able to meet their beautiful baby boys and bring them safely home, after recovering from the complications of premature births. WINGS staff supported the family throughout their hospital stay and ensured access to ongoing home health support for the new parents. The family now continues to heal and thrive in their new home; their incredible strength and persistent joy are welcome additions to the WINGS client community.
The story of Carlos, Maria, and their twin boys is a testament to their strength and resilience while facing intense persecution, dangers, and barriers. Amidst the uncertainty and fear the family was facing, the WINGS staff and their community partners were privileged to work with and support this family, helping them access the tools and resources they needed to thrive. Maria and Carlos are a family of resiliency and hope, courageous in their pursuit of safety, peace, and a place to call home.
In our ongoing commitment to enhancing the Las Cumbres Family, we are thrilled to introduce the latest additions to our exceptional team at Las Cumbres Community Services. As we continue to grow and evolve, we believe that the strength of our organization lies in the talents and dedication of our members. Each new member brings a unique perspective and skill set that enriches our ability to provide unparalleled support and service to our community.
When the Toulsey family approached Las Cumbres’ Family Infant Toddler (FIT) program, their youngest daughter Thea was facing serious challenges. She had been diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called central congenital hyperventilation syndrome – a condition that affects the autonomic nervous system and required Thea to depend on
Five years ago, Silvia Romero was living in her hometown of Aguascalientes, Mexico. “I had a great job as a business administrator, and I thought nothing else would happen to me,” she says. “And then I fell in love.”
Her soon-to-be-husband was a Santa Fean, and Silvia soon joined him here in New Mexico. When she arrived, she was pregnant with
