When you contribute to the North Eddy County United Way, 99 percent of your contributions stay right here in Artesia. The remaining 1 percent of the contribution goes to the United Way Worldwide.
The North Eddy County United Way currently has 14 partner agencies. Our current goal is $157,000. If you are interested in making contributions to the North Eddy County United Way, or if you have any questions, please contact Toni at 308-2702, or you can reach us by mail at North Eddy County United Way, P.O. Box 990, Artesia, N.M., 88211-0990.
Thank you for your support.
— Toni Cano, executive director
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern New Mexico
The sole mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern New Mexico (BBBS SENM) is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.
Since opening in 2000, BBBS has been “matching” atrisk children (Littles), ages 5-17, with carefully screened, adult volunteers (Bigs) in meaningful, mentoring relationships. Just by sharing experiences, celebrating accomplishments, and listening to a child’s concerns, a Big Brother or Big Sister can make a positive difference in a child’s future. By improving the attitude and outlook of the Littles, mentoring also positively affects the lives of their families.
BBBS is the only provider of one-to-one mentoring programs in Southeast New Mexico and offers its programs without charge to the families served.
Even though much time and effort is expended in the recruitment of adult volunteers to become Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the agency currently has 14 children waiting to be matched with an adult volunteer. Funding received from North Eddy County United Way allows BBBS staff to spend more time recruiting and serving additional children and their families and less time fundraising. So far this year, BBBS SENM has served more than 65 people (Littles and their families) in Artesia.
Artesia Pathway Inc.
Artesia Pathway is a nonprofit organization that was started Sept. 24, 2011, by several parents, friends and families of children with special needs who were part of the Special Olympics of New Mexico Pecos Valley Delegation in Artesia.
The families and friends wanted to be able to provide activities and field trips additional to being a member of Special Olympics. The community was in need of a support group for parents and their children with special needs to meet together and interact with their peers. Several members of the group have adult children with special needs that have very few options for being part of a social group and enjoying things in the community after graduation from high school.
PATH is an acronym for Parents of the Athletes, The Heroes. The “way” is the chance to be involved in many activities and socializations, one of which is being a registered member of Special Olympics of New Mexico with the delegation Special Olympics Pecos Valley. The athletes, who have several team names – The Heroes, Pride, Aqua Dogs, Heroes Remix and Bulldog Bowlers – are involved in several Special Olympic events such as floor hockey, field and track, bocce, aquatics, basketball, softball and bowling.
The program is open to any and all age groups with various types of disabilities and/or special needs, and participants need not be members of Special Olympics. Individuals at least 8 years of age can be a part of Special Olympics if they so choose and if they have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability.
Pathway plans to take athletes, individuals and their families out of town for Special Olympics New Mexico State Games at least five times per year, traveling to Farmington, Albuquerque or Las Cruces and to area meets in Carlsbad and Roswell depending on the sporting event.
When out of town for Special Olympic games, the group has visited special places to eat, museums and historical parks, such as the zoo, botanical gardens, aquarium, Explora and Hinkle Family Fun in Albuquerque and the Four Corners Area, Chaco Canyon, Aztec ruins, and the Japanese Kitchen in other cities. These side trips, adventures and meals cannot be funded by Special Olympics, so Artesia Pathway is an opportunity to provide activities for individuals who might not otherwise have the chance to take part and allow their families to travel out of town with them on funds available for motels, travel expenses and/or meals.
For more information on Artesia Pathway, contact Joyce Munoz at 746-3649 or 703-5228