March 20, 2026
11:30-1:30
National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th Street SW, Albuquerque

Join us on March 20, 2026, for Encuentro’s third annual Tree of Life Honoree Luncheon, celebrating seven leaders who have made a significant impact on our Latinx immigrant community.

This event honors those who plant seeds of hope, nurture growth, and demonstrate transformative leadership, collaboration, and advocacy. Each Tree of Life award recognizes the vital role honorees have played in fostering community vitality!

Sponsorship Opportunities Await!

Each year, Encuentro’s Tree of Life Honoree Luncheon uplifts champions whose leadership, generosity, and advocacy strengthen the Latinx immigrant community across New Mexico.

For the 2026 Tree of Life Awards, 23 nominations were submitted by members of the community. Nominations were reviewed by a five-member selection committee using clearly defined criteria aligned with each award category.

Selected honorees were notified in December and will be formally recognized at the Tree of Life Honoree Luncheon on March 20. Together, they represent the strength, vision, and collective care that allow our community—and Encuentro—to continue to grow and flourish.

Roots of Resilience Honoree
Recognizing exceptional leadership.

Ted Martinez
Retired Community Leader

Ted Martinez, son of a Mexican immigrant, has dedicated his life to improving opportunities for Latinos and immigrants. In 1986, he became president of TVI (now CNM), expanding programs for immigrants. From Albuquerque’s first Hispano school board member in 1968 to volunteering with Tucson Samaritans, he has championed bilingual education, access, and humanitarian aid throughout his life.

Leaves of Service Honoree
Recognizing individual contributions

Pauline Lucero
CEO of Corazón Training & Consulting

Pauline is a bilingual mental health therapist and nationally recognized trainer who empowers professionals and communities addressing complex child abuse and trauma. She brings decades of expertise working with Native American communities and individuals with disabilities, fostering culturally responsive, trauma-informed care. Her dedication to education, advocacy, and wellness has shaped countless professionals and strengthened vulnerable populations.

Branches of Unity Honoree
Recognizing collaboration

Sara Yvonne
“Bonnie” Escobar

Enlace Comunitario‘s Executive Director

Bonnie is Executive Director of Enlace Comunitario, where she advances wellness, cultural pride, and healing while leading programs that have served over 15,000 clients. A passionate advocate for women, Latinos, and survivors of domestic violence, she brings decades of leadership in nonprofit strategy, community engagement, and systemic change, transforming vision into action across New Mexico and the border region.

Seeds of Change Honoree
Recognizing advocacy, policy, and civic action

Elsa López
Program Manager of NewMexicoWomen.org

Elsa is an immigrant justice leader driven by racial and economic justice. She has spent decades organizing in New Mexico, winning college access and driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, advancing worker protections, and limiting law-enforcement collaboration. Inspired by New Mexican families, she supports and empowers grassroots movements.

Blossoms of Innovation Honoree
Recognizing innovation

Ana López

Promotora Program Manager of
Enlace Comunitario

Ana López is a prevention professional specializing in domestic violence and sexual assault education. She leads Enlace Comunitario’s Promotora Program, Promotoras de Bienestar Familiar, and Voces Unidas, designing culturally responsive, trauma-informed programs that empower Latina immigrant women, strengthen families, and foster community well-being. Ana combines program leadership, mentorship, and evidence-based prevention education to promote healing, inclusion, and long-term social change.

Fruits of Generosity Honoree
Recognizing organizational contributions

Founded in 1930 by Will Keith Kellogg, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is a major U.S. philanthropy dedicated to ensuring all children can thrive. It partners with communities in the U.S., tribal nations, and abroad, focusing on high-poverty regions including Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New Orleans, Mexico, and Haiti, worldwide impact.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Gerald “Jerry” Ortiz Y Pino
Retired Senator

Senator Gerald “Jerry” Ortiz y Pino dedicated decades to public service and advocacy for New Mexico’s Latinx and immigrant communities. From his early work in child welfare and social services to 20 years in the State Senate, he championed health, education, and community development. Jerry’s leadership created opportunities, promoted equity, and strengthened the well-being of families across New Mexico.

Limited Sponsorship available!

Are you ready to honor these CHAMPIONS?

Confirm sponsorship by February 16, 2026 to guarantee benefits.

CLICK HERE FOR SPONSORHIPS OPPORTUNITIES

Individual Tickets sales will open on February 16, 2026

For more information contact Julia Cusatis

at julia@encuentronm.org

or call (505) 247-2920

Each sponsorship funds Encuentro’s programs and initiatives to uplift our Latinx immigrant community and provide essential resources for education, community engagement and advocacy.

The post Cultivate Growth: Be a Tree of Life Sponsor! appeared first on Encuentro Nuevo Mexico.

Seven exceptional leaders will also receive Encuentro’s Tree of Life Award—a meaningful recognition that honors individuals whose leadership plants seeds of transformation, nurtures growth, and is deeply rooted in the vitality and futureof our community. Together, they represent the interconnected strength that sustains Encuentro’s mission and the Latinx immigrant community.

Join us for this special celebration!

More details about our honorees and sponsorship opportunities will be shared soon. The RSVP site will open in early February.

The post Mark Your Calendar: Tree of Life Honoree Luncheon 2026 appeared first on Encuentro Nuevo Mexico.

Esta muestra bilingüe, que estará disponible hasta el 4 de mayo de 2025, presenta las obras de estudiantes de Sandia Preparatory School que, guiados por el maestro Claudio Pérez, han transformado puertas en poderosas piezas visuales que narran historias reales de inmigración, resistencia y esperanza.

En este video, escucharán directamente de quienes han hecho posible esta exposición: su visión, su motivación, y cómo el arte puede ser una herramienta poderosa para derribar prejuicios, abrir conversaciones y construir empatía.

Puertas fronterizas nos invita a ver más allá de los muros y a escuchar las historias que cruzan fronteras.

¡No te lo pierdas!

From the heart of art and education, our community journalism group had the opportunity to interview the organizers of a deeply moving exhibition currently on view at the Albuquerque Museum: Puertas fronterizas / Border Doors.

This bilingual exhibition, open through May 4, 2025, features artwork by students from Sandia Preparatory School who, guided by teacher Claudio Pérez, have transformed doors into powerful visual pieces that tell real stories of immigration, resilience, and hope.

In this video, you’ll hear directly from the people who made this exhibition possible—their vision, their motivation, and how art can serve as a powerful tool to break down prejudice, spark conversation, and build empathy.

Border Doors invites us to look beyond walls and listen to the stories that cross borders.

Don’t miss it!

#TuVozDigital #CommunityJournalism #PuertasFronterizas #BorderDoors #ArtAndJustice #TransformativeEducation #AlbuquerqueMuseu

The post Segmento Radial “Nuestra Voz” presenta: La Exposición “Puertas Fronterizas” por TVD y Colectivo Raíces de KUNM appeared first on Encuentro Nuevo Mexico.

Recognizing Champions of the Latinx Immigrant Community!

April 4, 2025
11:30-1:30
National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th Street SW, Albuquerque

 
Join us on April 4, 2025, for Encuentro’s annual Tree of Life Award Ceremony, where we will honor six extraordinary leaders and organizations who have made a significant impact on our Latinx immigrant community. This event celebrates those who plant seeds of hope, nurture growth, and demonstrate transformative leadership, collaboration, and advocacy. Each Tree of Life Award symbolizes the vital role they play in fostering community vitality!

As we honor these incredible individuals, we invite you to support Encuentro’s mission by becoming a sponsor. Your contributions will directly fund initiatives that empower and uplift our community, providing essential resources for education and advocacy.

Sponsorship Opportunities Awaits!

Roots $1,000
Table Sponsorship

Reserved table for 8 with lunch, champagne toast,
and a framed acknowledgement.

Sprouts $2,500
Spotlight Sponsorship

Includes Roots plus a verbal acknowledgement
during the event and your logo on event material.

Saplings $5,000
Host Sponsorship

Includes Sprouts plus a spotlight on our website
and social media highlight.

Trees $10,000
Title Sponsorship

Includes above plus an additional reserved table of 8,
your logo on Encuentro’s website for one year, and
inclusion in press release and in-kind media coverage.

Limited Sponsorship available!

Are you ready to honor CHAMPIONS?

Contact Joseline Mendoza at joseline@encuentronm.org or call (505) 247-2920

The post Become Our Tree of Life Honoree Luncheon event Sponsor! appeared first on Encuentro Nuevo Mexico.

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