Our Family Has a New Home!

COMMUNITY SUPPORT EXPANDS IMMIGRANT POWER IN NEW MEXICO

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Encuentro team members posing in the new building while it is under construction
In 2021, Encuentro embarked on a journey to purchase and renovate a home of our very own. This new center in the heart of Albuquerque’s historic Barelas neighborhood is dedicated to shifting power and ownership directly into the hands of our Latinx immigrant community. Our recently opened space creates countless exciting opportunities for increased visibility, community building, and organizational impact.

We have an even bigger vision for the future and we need your help to get there!

Phase II

Preliminary architectural rendering of the Encuentro Phase II South Lot building complex
Preliminary rendering of the Encuentro Phase II South Lot.
Preliminary architectural rendering of the Encuentro Phase II South Lot building complex

Help us build the home health workforce in New Mexico!

The Home Health Aide (HHA) training center is an innovative solution to New Mexico’s growing demand for direct care providers. This new training center will allow Encuentro and our partners to help build the healthcare workforce by offering a home-based training setting where future providers can build their skills and obtain essential certifications.
Preliminary architectural rendering of the Encuentro Phase II South Lot building complex

The Momentum Builders Campaign

Between July 2022 and December 2023, Encuentro is partnering with our collaborators and supporters to raise 2.4 million dollars. These funds will enable us to expand our operations, grow our team, and provide more programming for our community. With funding from NM legislators (capital outlay), an anonymous funder, and the Cohen Foundation, capital fund raising for Phase II, the building of a Home Health Training Center, is complete.

If you are interested in supporting this project, contact [email protected]

Martha Hurtado and other community members sitting together at a table in the Encuentro space

“Encuentro has always felt like family. Now with this new spacious building comes the hope of Encuentro’s family growing even more and continuing to promote education on a larger scale in our community.”

- Martha Hurtado, Encuentro Board Member, and student

Two Encuentro community members sharing a hug

“From day one, Encuentro has been a place where I feel safe and surrounded by love. I can be myself, express myself in my own language and everybody understands my hopes, fears and the obstacles I have to overcome.

- Maria de Jesus Gallardo

An Encuentro team member at their desk in the new space

“This space represents power and ownership. When I see our students crossing the doors of Encuentro, I see their excitement of coming to, what they describe, is their second home. They love the classrooms and the spaces available to them to share in community.”

- Crimilda Andrade

    Encuentro Means Home…

    For our community, Encuentro is more than a building - it is a home away from home. This space honors and supports our immigrant families' lived experiences while amplifying stories, celebrating resilience, recognizing sacrifice, and elevating aspirations and dreams.

    Encuentro’s programs are now centralized in our new space, where we can now provide our immigrant community with resources, care, and safety.

    Image
    A more efficient building with five classrooms for expanded educational capacity.
    Several people in seated in a computer lab watching a presentation
    A fully equipped computer lab that bridges the digital divide with 21 st century skills training.
    A large festive celebration full of Encuentro community members
    Over 2400 sq. ft for large group trainings, community events and rentals.
    Encuentro team members in a child nursery space
    Free onsite childcare to support working parents during our classes.
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    New opportunities for growth, including a Home Health Training Center in 2024.
    Several Encuentro community members eating outside on a patio
    Ample patio space for outdoor gatherings and celebrations.

    History

    Image
    The new Encuentro building before renovations
    The new Encuentro space mid-renovation
    Four Encuentro team members painting interior walls in the new building
    The new Encuentro building after renovations
    Several team and community members at a rope cutting ceremony for the new building

    Past

    Under the leadership of Board President Sandra Ortsman and with the support of Lynn Trojahn of Thrive Consulting, a team of committed allies led Encuentro’s capital campaign fundraising efforts.

    These partners included: Claudia Medina, Ilse Grijalva, Julie Radoslovich, lusti, Kevin Hoover, Maura Lewiecki, Nancy Croker, Patricia Telles, Robby Rodriguez, and Pauline Lucero.

    With enough funds raised for closing costs and a down payment, a building and renovation loan was secured and on July 13, 2021, Encuentro’s leadership team signed the closing documents for a property at 907 4th St SW.

    Under the leadership of Ron Romero and his company, the renovation process began and continued throughout the summer of 2022. Volunteers supported renovation efforts by painting, cleaning, and performing grounds maintenance while Capital Campaign members gave building tours and continued fundraising efforts to complete renovations and move our team into the new building.

    Encuentro staff moved into their new home in August 2022 and nearly 300 students enrolled in the 2023 academic year, kicking off a new blended learning model.

    To the delight of the community, an in-person Grand Opening Celebration took place on September 19, 2022, with an estimated attendance of 350 members of the community including families, students, volunteers, allies, and funders. To see pictures of this festive event, click here.


    Thank you for your support!

    The Home Health Aide (HHA) training center is an innovative solution to New Mexico’s growing demand for direct care providers. This new training center will allow Encuentro and our partners to help build the healthcare workforce by offering a home-based training setting where future providers can build their skills and obtain essential certifications.
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