This month on Community Matters, Sarah Amador-Guzman speaks with Monet Silva, the Executive Director of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness on the barriers experienced by those facing housing insecurity or homelessness and the important services available throughout the community.

01/18/2023 with Tom Starke

Sarah Amador-Guzman takes the helm as host of Community Matters. Today, she is with Sherry Hooper, Executive Director of The Food Depot, discussing the biggest challenges of food insecurity across northern New Mexico, how organizations are addressing them, and The Food Depot’s recent win of a 2022 Piñon Award, which recognizes excellence in northern New Mexico’s nonprofit sector.

Guests Janna Lopez and Antonia Roybal-Mack discuss their volunteer efforts and local responses to assist communities during the recent wildfires in New Mexico, specifically San Miguel and Mora Counties.

Guest: Adrien Lawyer (he/him), Executive Director of Advocacy & Development of the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico. Adrien co-founded TGRCNM in 2008 with Zane Stephens to be a clearinghouse of service provision, education, and advocacy for the transgender community in New Mexico.

In honor of April's environment focus, Santa Fe Community Foundation Hub Coordinator, Yolanda Cruz, talks to Paula Garcia, Executive Director of the New Mexico Acequia Association, about her organization's work in protecting our water and acequias, growing healthy food for our families and communities, and honoring our local heritage.

Yolanda is joined by Jovanna Archuleta, who serves as the nation’s first Assistant Secretary for Native American Early Childhood Education and Care, to discuss our March theme of early childhood in New Mexico. Jovanna works to ensure strong partnerships with New Mexico’s tribal communities and to strengthen government-to-government relationships on early childhood issues. Previously, she worked for the LANL Foundation and the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council. She lives in Nambe Pueblo with her family.

Alma Rivera and Miguel Acosta of Earth Care discuss how Santa Fe Mutual Aid helps support basic needs through community networking.