Communities In Schools of New Mexico

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Communities In Schools of New Mexico

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Communities In Schools of New Mexico offers wraparound support services to nearly 6,900 kids in 13 Title 1 schools in Santa Fe and 1 in Albuquerque.

By bringing caring adults into the schools to address children’s unmet needs, Communities In Schools of New Mexico provides the link between educators and the community. The result: teachers are free to teach, and students – many in jeopardy of dropping out – have the opportunity to focus on learning. For over 30 years, Communities In Schools has worked to ensure that every child needs and deserves these “Five Basics”:

A one-on-one relationship with a caring adult
A safe place to learn and grow
A healthy start and a healthy future
A marketable skill to use upon graduation
A chance to give back to peers and community

10/20/2026

A heartfelt thank-you to Horno Restaurant and its owners, CISNM Board Member Heather Sellers and her husband, Chef David Sellers, for hosting our Donor Appreciation Luncheon! 💙💛

We enjoyed an afternoon of delicious food, meaningful conversations, and wonderful company as we celebrated the donors and community partners who make our work possible.

We were also grateful to hear from our speakers, including Jill Dixon from The Food Depot, who helped make the afternoon especially meaningful.

To our donors, partners, and friends, thank you for your generosity, your commitment, and for being present for New Mexico's students. Your support makes our work possible!

10/13/2026

💙 Today, we honor the life and legacy of Jim Dorris, a cherished member of our CISNM community.

Jim's kindness, generosity, and dedication to students will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Our hearts are with his family, friends, and the Ramirez Thomas Elementary School community. 💙

10/05/2026

What does it mean to truly show up for New Mexico’s students?

In an Oct. 3 op-ed in the The Santa Fe New Mexican, our Executive Director, Michelle Katz, shares why being present for students—and ensuring they have the relationships and support they need to thrive—matters.

At Communities In Schools of New Mexico, we see the power of that presence every day. By working alongside students, families, educators and our partners at Santa Fe Public Schools, we help connect young people with the resources and relationships that allow them to focus on learning and reaching their potential.

Read Michelle’s full op-ed and learn more about why . Improving student attendance takes a community: https://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/improving-student-attendance-takes-a-community/article_4b48442b-8372-49e5-9973-8ed3ef17bd65.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

09/24/2026

Good things happen when school leaders have space to connect, collaborate and learn from one another. 💙

Santa Fe Public Schools principals and Communities In Schools of New Mexico Student Success Facilitators recently came together for a meaningful conversation around their School Support Plans.

The twice-yearly Principal Community of Practice creates space for principals and SSFs to share ideas, celebrate strategies that are making a positive impact in their schools, and learn from one another—all while enjoying great food and even better conversation.

We’re grateful to the school leaders who joined us:

• Daniel Dennedy-Frank — Ramirez Thomas Elementary
• Melissa Kovac — Sweeney Elementary
• Emily Bell — Gonzales Community School
• Leslie Prada — Chaparral Elementary
• Trinidad Mercado Muratalla — El Camino Real Academy
• Georgia Baca — Milagro Middle School
• Dr. Alexandra Robertson — Ortiz Middle School
• Susana Salazar — Salazar Elementary
• Bobby Richardson — Nina Otero Community School
• Lisa Vigil — Capital High School
• Violetrae Torres — Nava Elementary

Thank you to our SFPS partners for making time for connection, collaboration and shared learning. We’re glad to be in this work together.

09/18/2026

It is with great joy that we celebrate our very own Alicia Del Aguila, who is being recognized on September 19 at the Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 event for her incredible work in our community.

Alicia is a wonderful teammate, friend and an important part of the CISNM community. Her compassion, dedication and commitment to students and families shine through in all that she does.

Alicia, we are so proud of you and so honored to know you and experience all that you bring to our community every day. We are thrilled that the broader Santa Fe community will have the opportunity to celebrate what we already know—you are a rockstar and an inspiration! ❤️

Please join us in congratulating Alicia on this well-deserved recognition! 🎉

09/17/2026

Partner Spotlight 💙

Thank you to the Santa Fe Association of REALTORS for their incredible $20,000 donation from their sponsored golf tournament to the Communities In Schools of New Mexico Family Emergency Fund.

Last school year, CISNM provided $123,895 in emergency assistance to help families with utility bills, mortgage payments and eviction prevention. And just 30 days into this school year, we’ve already provided nearly $39,000 in rental assistance and $6,800 to help families with utility costs.

This support helps keep families in their homes and their utilities on — ensuring students’ basic needs are met so they can stay in school and succeed.

Healthy families are a community service.

Thank you, Santa Fe Association of REALTORS, for investing in our students and families and for being such a wonderful community partner. We’re grateful for what you do and for the opportunity to work alongside you.

09/15/2026

On Monday, Sept. 14, during Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week, we were proud to welcome Santa Fe Mayor Michael J. Garcia to Milagro Middle School for an interactive visit to see firsthand how Communities In Schools of New Mexico supports students and families.

Mayor Garcia joined CISNM leaders and Milagro Middle School Principal Georgia Baca and Community School Coordinator Diana Padilla for a conversation about the power of relationships, collaboration and caring adults in helping students thrive.

Then it was time for UNO!

CISNM Student Success Facilitator Badi Brigolin sat down with Milagro students, who shared how they rely on Mr. Badi for support—from having someone who listens and helps solve problems to English-language tutoring, cooking classes and life skills.

The visit highlighted what’s possible when Santa Fe Public Schools, Communities In Schools of New Mexico, Community Schools, and school leaders work together around students.

As Principal Baca put it: “Together, we’re on fire!”

Mayor Garcia described Milagro as a “shining spotlight” for parents and kids.

We couldn’t agree more. 💙

09/14/2026

They’re often the first to notice when a student needs support and the ones who keep showing up to help.

This week and every week, we celebrate our hardworking Student Success Facilitators who show up every day to support students and families.

They build trust.
They remove barriers.
They create opportunities.
Most importantly, they remind students that someone believes in them.

Every conversation, every check-in and every small act of care can make a lasting impact.

💙 Thank you to our Student Success Facilitators for being present when it matters most.

Drop a 💙 in the comments for an SSF who makes a difference!

09/14/2026

generously donated 100 Golden Tickets to students to encourage them to show up to school!

September is Attendance Awareness Month, and the habits students build in the first 20 days can set the tone for the school year.

Thank you, The Bubble King, for being a great community partner and helping students build the habit of showing up! 💛

09/09/2026

Being present matters. 🧡

Thank you, Communities In Schools, for sharing these wonderful photos of some of our incredible Student Success Facilitators here in New Mexico!

Today, we’re especially proud to celebrate Nuria Olivas, Jen Zammit, Rebecca Ornelas, Annie Woehrle, Badi Brigolin, Blanca Ortiz, and Nate Benham—the caring adults who show up every day to build relationships, connect students and families with resources, and help students succeed in school and beyond.

This is what being present looks like. 🧡

Address

1442 South St. Francis Drive, Suite F
Santa Fe, NM
87501

Website

http://www.cisnm.org/

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