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.

Do you know a community leader who uplifts and strengthens the Latinx immigrant community in New Mexico?
It’s time to honor their impact! Encuentro is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Tree of Life Awards, which recognize six outstanding leaders or organizations whose work plants seeds of change, inspires growth, and strengthens our shared roots.

Each year, the Tree of Life Honoree Luncheon celebrates the many ways individuals, organizations, and businesses nurture the growth, strength, and sustainability of Encuentro and our Latinx immigrant community.

This event is not only a celebration—it’s also a moment to reflect on the power of collaboration and collective impact that make our community thrive.

Nomination Deadline: October 27, 2025, at 11:59 PM MST
Awards Ceremony: Tree of Life Honoree Luncheon
Date: March 20, 2026 | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: National Hispanic Cultural Center

Save the Date! Join us to celebrate those who dedicate their lives to justice, opportunity, and hope for immigrant families in Albuquerque and beyond.

To nominate, scan the QR code on our flyer or complete the online nomination form:
Tree of Life Nomination Form
You may also request a physical form by emailing cristina@encuentronm.org or by visiting Encuentro’s office at 907 Fourth St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.

Eligibility and Selection

Nominations are open to the public. Anyone can nominate an individual, organization, or business that has made a positive impact on the Latinx immigrant community in New Mexico.
(Please note: current Encuentro staff and instructors are not eligible.)

A community-based selection committee will review nominations in November 2025. Finalists will be notified in December, and honorees will be recognized at the March 2026 luncheon.

Award Categories

Seeds of Change Award – Honors advocacy and civic action that plant seeds for systems change.
Roots of Resilience Award – Recognizes exceptional leadership that strengthens our immigrant community.
Blossoms of Innovation Award – Celebrates creativity and forward-thinking ideas that create opportunity and growth.
Branches of Unity Award – Honors organizations that build collaboration and partnerships.
Leaves of Service Award – Recognizes dedicated volunteers and supporters whose service sustains Encuentro’s growth.
Fruits of Generosity Award – Acknowledges organizations whose generosity nourishes our shared mission.

Help us honor those who plant seeds of change, inspire growth, and strengthen our shared roots.
#TreeOfLifeAward #EncuentroNM #LatinxLeaders #CommunityImpact #Treeoflifehonoreeluncheon2026

Versión en Español

¿Conoces a un líder u organización que inspira, apoya y fortalece a la comunidad inmigrante Latinx en Nuevo México?
¡Es momento de reconocer su impacto! Encuentro abre oficialmente las nominaciones para los Premios Árbol de la Vida 2026, un reconocimiento que celebra a seis líderes o instituciones que siembran semillas de cambio, inspiran crecimiento y fortalecen nuestras raíces compartidas.

Cada año, el Almuerzo de Honores “Tree of Life” celebra las múltiples formas en que individuos, organizaciones y empresas ayudan a nutrir el crecimiento, la fortaleza y la sostenibilidad de Encuentro y de nuestra comunidad inmigrante Latinx.

Este evento no solo es una celebración, sino también un momento para reflexionar sobre el poder de la colaboración y el impacto colectivo que hacen florecer a nuestra comunidad.

Fecha límite de nominación: 27 de octubre de 2025, a las 11:59 PM MST
Ceremonia de premiación: Almuerzo de Honores del Árbol de la Vida
Fecha: 20 de marzo de 2026 | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Lugar: National Hispanic Cultural Center

¡Guarden la fecha! Acompáñennos a celebrar a quienes dedican su vida a la justicia, la oportunidad y la esperanza para las familias inmigrantes en Albuquerque y más allá.

Para nominar, escanea el código QR o completa el formulario en línea:
Formulario de Nominación Árbol de la Vida
También puedes solicitar un formulario físico escribiendo a cristina@encuentronm.org o visitando la oficina de Encuentro en 907 Fourth St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.

Criterios de Elegibilidad y Selección

Las nominaciones están abiertas al público. Cualquier persona puede nominar a un individuo, grupo, negocio u organización que haya tenido un impacto positivo en la comunidad inmigrante Latinx de Nuevo México.
(Nota: el personal actual de Encuentro no es elegible.)

Un comité comunitario seleccionará a los homenajeados en noviembre de 2025. Los finalistas serán notificados en diciembre, y los premios se entregarán en marzo de 2026 durante el almuerzo de honores.

Categorías de los Premios

Semillas de Cambio – Reconoce la defensa y acción cívica que siembran semillas para un cambio estructural.
Raíces de Resiliencia – Honra el liderazgo excepcional que fortalece a nuestra comunidad inmigrante.
Flores de Innovación – Celebra la creatividad y las ideas que generan oportunidad y crecimiento.
Ramas de Unidad – Reconoce a organizaciones que fomentan la colaboración y construyen puentes.
Hojas de Servicio – Destaca a voluntarios y donantes cuyo compromiso fortalece el crecimiento de Encuentro.
Frutos de Generosidad – Agradece a las organizaciones cuya generosidad nutre nuestra misión compartida.

Ayúdanos a honrar a quienes siembran semillas de cambio, inspiran crecimiento y fortalecen nuestras raíces.
#PremiosÁrbolDeLaVida #EncuentroNM #LíderesLatinx #ImpactoComunitario #Treeoflifehonoreeluncheon2026

The post 🌳 Tree of Life Awards 2026: Nominations Are Now Open! / ¡Premios Árbol de la Vida 2026: Nominaciones Abierta appeared first on Encuentro Nuevo Mexico.