Santa Fe, NM – The Con Alma Health Foundation has awarded 16 Rural Community Grants to nonprofits in Southern and Northeastern New Mexico, focusing on addressing health disparities in underserved areas. These grants support organizations enhancing access, culturally appropriate services, workforce development, health promotion, and policy advocacy. Organizations in Catron, Chaves, Colfax, Curry, De Baca, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Harding, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Mescalero, Navajo Nation, Otero, Quay, Roosevelt, San Juan, Sierra, Socorro, Torrance, Union, and McKinley counties will receive funding to support programs.

Grant Priorities and Focus Areas

The Foundation prioritized organizations committed to improving access to health services, ensuring that care is culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs of local communities. Key areas of focus also included health promotion initiatives that encourage preventive care, as well as policy and advocacy efforts aimed at driving systemic change for long-term impact. Additionally, workforce development was a priority, supporting programs that train and retain health workers in underserved areas to strengthen community health infrastructure.

2024 Grant Recipients

• CARC, Inc. (Region 4) – Capacity building for services for individuals with disabilities in Eddy County.
• Chaves County Health Council (Region 4) – Expansion of 2-1-1 service in Chaves County.
• Children’s Reading Alliance (Region 5) – Early childhood literacy support in Doña Ana County.
• Community Drug Coalition of Lea County (Region 4) – Enhancing substance abuse prevention programs.
• El Calvario United Methodist Church (Region 5) – Support for migrant community resiliency in Doña Ana County.
• El Corazon de Columbus (Region 5) – Community development initiatives in Luna County.
• Fort Sumner Public Library (Region 4) – Health resource improvements in De Baca County.
• Lincoln County Community Health Council (Region 5) – Expanding food security programs in Lincoln County.
• Ogallala Commons, Inc. (Region 4) – Expanding local food access to fresh nutrient rich food in multiple counties.
• Silver City Gospel Mission (Region 5) – Capacity support for operational needs in Grant County.
• The LAB (Region 5) – Youth programs in Silver City.
• United Way of Eddy County (Region 4) – Enhanced 2-1-1 services for Spanish-speaking residents.
• United Way of Eastern NM (Region 4) – Expanding 2-1-1 across nine counties.
• Ben Initiative (Region 1) – Promoting Indigenous food access in Navajo Nation.
• 100% San Juan (Region 1) – Connecting underserved populations to essential services in San Juan County.
• My Power, Inc. (Region 4) – Expanding youth empowerment programs in Eddy County.

A Lasting Impact

These Rural Community Grants mark Con Alma’s continued dedication to building a healthier New Mexico by empowering local nonprofits to address critical health needs in rural communities. “Having been born and raised in rural New Mexico, I’m well aware of the health equity challenges these communities face. My primary goal in my first year was to ensure that Con Alma’s focus on rural and tribal areas was strongly emphasized.  These grants reflect that commitment.” said Executive Director Linda Candelaria.

The post Rural Community Grants awarded to nonprofits in NM appeared first on Con Alma.

We congratulate the 2023 Northern New Mexico Health Grants Group Grant Recipients!

Cancer Foundation for New Mexico ($15,000) to provide mileage reimbursement for patients traveling to Santa Fe for cancer treatment and help ensure access to cancer treatment regardless of a patient’s economic status or where they live.

Inside Out ($20,000) to provide hot, nutritious meals, hygiene kits, clothing, and camping gear when necessary. Clients will be assisted in acquiring ID, birth certificates and medically assisted treatment. They will have access to a computer lab, mail services, a monthly legal aid clinic, weekly acupuncture clinic, and daily educational groups, including life skills and conflict resolution.

Los Alamos Juvenile Justice Advisory Board ($15,000) to provide at least four Youth Mental Health First Aid courses in Los Alamos County for 10-20 adults at each training. The program is available to any community member, including teachers, clergy, coaches and camp counselors.

Many Mothers ($15,000) for staff training in the use of perinatal/postpartum mood and anxiety disorder assessments conducted during home visits of potential clients in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and Los Alamos counties.

Mesa to Mesa ($20,000) to provide staff and Board of Directors with capacity building training in a strategic and thoughtful manner that will increase their ability to assist those in need.

New Mexico Primary Care Training Consortium ($20,000) for partnering with Medicos de El Centro, the New Mexico Primary Care Training Consortium, and El Centro Family Health to continue developing a new Family Medicine Residency with the overarching goal of training doctors to stay and practice in rural Northern New Mexico communities.

Santa Fe Recovery Center ($20,000) to further advance the Therapeutic Child Care program which assesses children’s needs and assists women to develop parenting skills and establish healthy bonds with their children, support early childhood development and mental health, and end the cycle of generational trauma. The center will provide care for approximately 45 women and children from Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, and Northern Santa Fe counties.

Scotts House ($15,000) to expand outreach and services to rural communities in the tri-county area and address social determinants of health by increasing access to quality health care and providing a critical piece of the continuum of care for underserved elders at the end of their life. Scott’s House is the region’s only hospice house providing a free residence and care.

Self Help ($10,000) to refresh and leverage the Los Alamos Mental Health Access Project website, expanding access to critical mental health resources and support for Northern New Mexicans living in Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and northern Santa Fe counties.

The post 2023 Northern New Mexico Health Grant Recipients appeared first on Con Alma.

We congratulate the 2023 Con Alma Health Foundation Grant Recipients!

100% Otero ($25,000) to help eliminate childhood trauma in Otero County by ensuring that 100% of the 23,590 households have knowledge of and ready access to ten vital services needed to survive and thrive: food, housing, medical/dental care, behavioral health care, transportation, parent supports, early childhood learning, community schools, youth mentoring, and job training.

Avenues Early Childhood Services ($25,000) to create bilingual and culturally appropriate resources for teaching prenatal and early childhood dental hygiene. This project will help address language and cultural gaps among healthcare professionals in the McKinley County community.

Centro Savila ($25,000) to provide access to affordable, bilingual, and culturally and linguistically relevant mental health services and prevention programs to underserved populations in Bernalillo County.

Community Engagement Center ($25,000) to nurture leadership and community capacity building with transformational non-profits in New Mexico. The program will provide youth leaders with mentorship, community-based learning, and guidance into a career, service, or higher education pathways.

Deaf Culture Center of New Mexico ($25,000) to help launch a Deaf Entrepreneurial Program focused on creating an on-site Deaf Coffee Shop that will help people in this marginalized population learn career skills, earn a living wage and thrive as employed individuals. Funding will support operational capacity and outreach to deaf, deaf/blind, hard-of-hearing communities.

Enlace Comunitario ($25,000) to mitigate the harmful health effects of domestic violence through culturally specific wraparound services, recognizing that clients’ mental and emotional health are inextricably tied to other aspects of their holistic health, including financial and physical health.

Fundamental Needs Inc ($20,000) to help households on the Navajo Nation that lack running water to install off-grid water systems that include water tanks, solar water pumps and heaters, a sink to access the water, and greywater gardens to leverage every drop of their water.

Gerard’s House ($15,000) to create a short, two-part Spanish-language film addressing cultural stigmas about grief and the benefits of grieving for Latino and Hispanic program participants in Santa Fe, and to the general community statewide. Part one will include practices and information to prevent, reduce, and alleviate birth traumas. Part two will provide key information about grief to the broader Latino/Hispanic community.

Healing Circle Drop-In Center ($25,000) to reconnect and promote language, culture, and traditional practices for holistic wellness and growth in the recovery journey in the Shiprock area.

Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign ($25,000) to help create a plan in New Mexico that guarantees health coverage and controls costs.

Healthy Native Communities Partnership ($25,000) to help improve the health and well-being of Navajo people by increasing connections with healthcare services and wellness resources, and to improve self-efficacy in accessing healthcare and wellness services.

IMPACT Personal Safety ($20,000) to provide training for caretakers, educators, and other service providers on how to prevent harm and abuse for people with disabilities within their institutions.

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center ($25,000) to facilitate farmer success by offering critical spaces, technologies, and resources that assist Natives and local entrepreneurs to achieve economic opportunities and business success.

Justice Access Support and Solutions for Health dba Casa de Salud ($25,000) to support opportunities in changing local hospital policies to reduce the medical debt burden, help the state transform Medicaid into value-based care, build support and awareness around the State’s new plan to offer undocumented New Mexicans access to insurance in 2024, and to continue leadership on various statewide health councils.

Mandy’s Farm ($25,000) to complete the cycle of farm to table with persons with disabilities leading the planning of farming practices and food growth, and educating their peers and caregivers about nutrition and sustainable and ethical food growing practices.

New Mexico CASA Association ($20,000) to introduce restorative justice processes into the New Mexico Children’s Court system for child abuse and neglect cases.

New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty ($25,000) to provide analysis and advocacy to ensure Medicaid Forward is effectively studied, that community priorities are central to all program designs, and that residents have important information about new coverage options. This project will significantly expand access to affordable healthcare coverage, leading to transformational improvements in New Mexicans’ health and well-being.

New Mexico Community AIDS Partnership ($15,000) to provide professional training on gender affirming care to increase access to supportive, culturally appropriate care for transgender and nonbinary youth and adults throughout New Mexico, who currently lack access to supportive providers and experience intense stigma and marginalization.

New Mexico Environmental Law Center ($20,000) to support work with rural, frontline, low-income, Indigenous and other people of color in defending communities against environmental and health threats caused by the toxic legacy of uranium, especially in Northwestern NM.

New Mexico Immigrant Law Center ($25,000) to increase access to immigrant youth entering the healthcare or other critical workforce areas.

One Generation ($25,000) to strengthen food systems by improving healthy food access, food security, and economic opportunities for Native Americans, creating a network of prosperous, sustainable farm operations amongst Native and rural communities.

Partnership for Community Action ($20,000) to address challenges that hinder historically marginalized populations’ access to quality healthcare, economic opportunities, and overall well-being through an intersectional, multifaceted approach, including educational workshops, skill-building programs, community outreach, access to resources, and policy advocacy.

Sandplay Therapists of America ($25,000) to train and credential 24 Sandplay therapists of diverse backgrounds and employment settings through a “community of practice” model to increase access to care while also addressing clinical workforce development and retention.

Scott’s House ($20,000) to continue providing a critical piece of the continuum of care as the only hospice house in the region providing a free residence and free care for underserved elders at the end of their life in Central and Northern New Mexico.

Silver Hill Access Point and Education ($25,000) to establish and maintain three Community Health Vending Machines in Bernalillo, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe stocked with Naloxone, sterile substance-use supplies, fentanyl test strips, condoms, pregnancy tests, HIV self-tests, personal health products and health literature.

Southwest Women’s Law Center ($25,000) to make transformative changes to improve the childcare system in New Mexico, ensuring equitable, accessible, high-quality, affordable, culturally relevant childcare with a diverse, well-paid, and well-supported workforce.

Taos Health Systems ($25,000) to support a data specialist in developing a new system for billing Medicaid for its Community Health Worker program –the first time an organization in the state will bill Medicaid for Community Health Worker services that ensure women in Taos, Colfax, Union, Harding, and Mora counties have access to perinatal care, other medical care and social services.

Three Sisters Kitchen ($25,000) to build capacity in the home health care workforce, ensuring high quality senior care and good jobs for home health aides by increasing healthy food access and support for healthy eating behaviors, strengthening networks of support, and creating and sustaining leadership opportunities for home health care providers.

The post 2023 Statewide Grant Recipients appeared first on Con Alma.

Con Alma Health Foundation will provide transformative grants to three nonprofits, along with technical assistance and capacity-building support. It will support organizations focused on perinatal care, workforce capacity, healthcare access, and overall maternal well-being – particularly in rural and tribal communities. Con Alma set aside $50,000 for one-time contributions to existing funds supporting maternal health in New Mexico. The $1 million investment comes from Con Alma’s $5 million gift from MacKenzie Scott.

“We are grateful to MacKenzie Scott, whose generous funding enabled us to explore ways to deepen our impact and take action to address health needs in New Mexico,” said Con Alma Board member Terri Tewart, MSN, RN. “Maternal health is a critical issue that impacts not just women, but children, families and entire communities.”

The 2023 grant recipients are:

• Project ECHO: $350,000 over two years to expand the Improving Perinatal Health (IPH) ECHO program, which provides training, technical assistance and mentorship to build the capacity of New Mexio’s healthcare workforce in rural and underserved communities
• Searchlight New Mexico: $300,000 over three years, focused on investigative journalism and health issues and solutions impacting New Mexico, including maternal health
• Think New Mexico: $300,000 over three years to hire a healthcare reform director who will lead advocacy efforts for public policies that will improve the health of New Mexicans

“As a results-oriented think tank dedicated to improving the lives of New Mexicans, Think New Mexico develops and advocates for policy solutions to some of the most serious challenges facing New Mexicans,” said Think New Mexico’s Executive Director Fred Nathan, Jr. “Access to high-quality health care, including maternal health care, is a critical challenge for communities across the state. This grant will allow us to add to our team a local expert to develop innovative policy solutions to address that challenge and other health challenges facing New Mexico.”

Con Alma’s investment in maternal health fulfills its ongoing commitment to the well-being of all New Mexicans, said Denise Herrera, Con Alma’s executive director. “We recognize maternal health is a complex and broad issue encompassing early childhood outcomes, systems change, and equity. By addressing these challenges through this special initiative, we believe this will make a meaningful difference in maternal health outcomes for women and their families.”

In addition, Con Alma awarded $650,000 to work toward health equity in New Mexico, when everyone has equal opportunities to live a healthy life. Fundamental Needs is one of the 28 nonprofits receiving a $20,000 grant.

“Funding from Con Alma Health Foundation will help Fundamental Needs empower youth to bring clean running water and electricity to families and elders on the Navajo Reservation,” said Justice Ramos, executive director of Fundamental Needs.

Through Con Alma’s partnership with the Hospital Auxiliary for Los Alamos Medical Center, the Northern New Mexico Health Grants Group distributed $150,000 to nine organizations addressing health needs in Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and northern Santa Fe counties. New Mexico Primary Care Training Consortium will receive $20,000 to train doctors to stay and practice in rural Rio Arriba County.

“Medicos de El Centro and NMPCTC are committed to creating a high-quality Family Medicine Residency Program in northern NM,” said Dr. Nora Lamartine, program director of the Medicos de El Centro Family Medicine Residency Program. “Our grant funds will support recruitment of exceptional teacher physicians, behavioral health educators, and resident physicians who are passionate about improving the health of rural New Mexicans.”

We congratulate our 2023 Grant recipients!

Follow the links below to learn more about this year’s grantees from each category.

Con Alma’s Statewide Grants, Supporting health systems strategies to address the needs of our diverse communities, and strengthening the capacity of New Mexico’s nonprofit sector (28 grants, totaling $650,000)

Northern New Mexico Health Grants Group, Promoting the health and wellness of the people of Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and northern Santa Fe counties through a partnership between the Con Alma Health Foundation and the Hospital Auxiliary for Los Alamos Medical Center (9 grants, totaling $150,000)

The post 2023 Grant Recipients appeared first on Con Alma.

Northern New Mexico Health Grants Group, Promoting the health and wellness of the people of Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and northern Santa Fe counties through a partnership between the Con Alma Health Foundation and the Hospital Auxiliary for Los Alamos Medical Center (10 grants, totaling $155,000)

We congratulate the 2022 Northern New Mexico Health Grant Recipients!

Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation ($10,000) to help provide high-quality patient care and bridge gaps for families and children/young people living with permanent disabilities. The Patient and Family Assistance Program helps families obtain medical and therapeutic equipment, home/vehicle modifications and financial assistance to meet medical travel and basic needs.

Las Cumbres Community Services ($20,000) to support immigrant and refugee families with equitable access to resources and community integration. The program addresses distinct stressors immigrant/refugee families and youth often encounter, such as migration trauma, discrimination, marginalization, and violence. Customized navigation services connect clients to integrated mental health services, free legal aid, educational supports, employment, health care, housing, food, transportation, and other resources.

Los Alamos Juvenile Justice Advisory Board ($10,000) to offer Los Alamos Public School and Los Alamos Juvenile Justice Advisory Board staff more frequent, in-house trainings in youth mental health first aid.

Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation (LANLF) ($20,000) for an advisory council to provide respite opportunities and counseling services to grandparents/kin raising children in Northern New Mexico.

Mesa to Mesa ($20,000) to complete home repair projects for low-income homeowners in three counties in Northern New Mexico – Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, and Northern Santa Fe. This program engages local contractors to collaborate with clients in making and maintaining home repairs.

National Latino Behavioral Health Association ($20,000) to support a full-time prevention specialist who will facilitate and implement Familia Adelante, an evidence-based prevention program, and mentor a youth advisory council of adolescents from Northern Santa Fe and Southern Rio Arriba counties. The Youth Advisory Council will develop environmental strategies to impact policy and community norms related to the prevention of underage drinking, substance use, youth suicide, and negative behavioral health related factors.

New Mexico Ramp Project ($10,000) to provide free wheelchair ramps to individuals who need a ramp and are unable to obtain one. The project will organize and train a ramp building team to service the long-term needs of Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and Northern Santa Fe counties. This service can ease the lives of ramp recipients, allowing them to remain in their homes, more easily access medical care, and assist caregivers.

Santa Fe Recovery Center ($20,000) to develop a therapeutic childcare program for approximately 35 women and children from Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, and Northern Santa Fe counties who are in residential treatment thus enabling these women to fully engage in their treatment and recovery.

Scott’s House ($15,000) to support a continuum of care for hospice patients and their families unable to find care within Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and Northern Santa Fe counties. Scott’s House, the only hospice house in Northern New Mexico – is volunteer driven, and provides training opportunities for volunteers, which supports workforce development in the health and behavioral health field.

Self Help ($10,000) to expand access to critical healthcare resources for individuals and families in Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, and northern Santa Fe counties. Funding will strengthen Self Help’s referral network and support volunteer capacity to help more families access vital healthcare resources, such as substance abuse treatment, oxygen, and home medical equipment.

The post 2022 Northern New Mexico Health Grants Group Grant Recipients appeared first on Con Alma.

Nonprofits will focus on the following areas: Bernalillo, Catron, Chaves, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Lea, Los Alamos, Luna, McKinley, Mora, Rio Arriba, Roosevelt, San Juan, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Socorro, Taos, Torrance, Union and Valencia, as well as the pueblos of Cochiti, Isleta, Jemez, Laguna, Nambe, Ohkay Owingeh, Picuris, Pojoaque, Santa Ana, San Felipe, San Ildefonso, Santo Domingo, Tesuque and Zuni.

“More than ever, we need partners and supporters in every sector to help advance health equity in our state, so all New Mexicans have equal opportunities to live healthy lives. The Board of Trustees is inspired by this year’s grantees, which are working toward long-term social change,” said Con Alma’s Board Secretary Robin Brule.

Grants will fund a range of services that include supporting homeless youth, Indigenous youth, grandparents raising grandchildren, seniors and disabled, behavioral health services, people experiencing domestic violence, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, nutrition training for home healthcare workers, and racial equity in the child welfare system.

We congratulate our 2022 Grant recipients!

Follow the links below to learn more about this year’s grantees from each category.

General Operating and Project Grants, Supporting health systems strategies to address the needs of our diverse communities (9 grants, totaling $210,000)

Technical Assistance Grants, Strengthening the capacity of New Mexico’s nonprofit sector (7 grants, totaling $165,000)

Northern New Mexico Health Grants Group, Promoting the health and wellness of the people of Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and northern Santa Fe counties through a partnership between the Con Alma Health Foundation and the Hospital Auxiliary for Los Alamos Medical Center (10 grants, totaling $155,000)

The post Grant Recipients appeared first on Con Alma.