ATD Fourth World New Mexico Winter News!
Sharing ATD Fourth World New Mexico’s Plans for the Next Two Years!
After the ATD Fourth World Community Lunch where the planning summary was shared.
We are pleased to share with you a summary of the results of our participatory planning process.
This summary sets out what we will be doing and aiming to achieve through 2025. The year-long planning process brought together many of our members in New Mexico to define our goals and actions through collective thinking. We built on an initial learning phase from 2019-2021 that enabled us to understand deeply what families impacted by poverty are experiencing in our community and what changes would make the biggest difference in their lives.
Three main areas will guide ATD Fourth World New Mexico’s work in the years ahead:
to have a presence and to learn with families in poverty
to strengthen our membership base and capacity building
to invest in education and art initiatives
We are now putting these into action.
We invite you to get in touch with us to contribute towards the programs’ success: newmexico@atdfourthworld-usa.org or (505) 488-3624.
Get to Know New Members of our Gallup Team!
Alycia Burnside
Alycia was born and raised in Gallup and learned about ATD Fourth World through the National Indian Youth Council work experience program.
My work experience with ATD has been amazing. I met and built connections with many children and their parents. I’ve learned to adjust to weekly changes. I've learned to communicate more and build dialogue with Story Garden members. I enjoy what ATD is all about. The movement to end poverty has grown important to me.
Alycia and Colin
Colin Moore
Colin was also born and raised in Gallup, and found out about ATD Fourth World internships through a friend.
It stood out because they [ATD] were very clear about being a force for local change and community outreach, which also made it unique to all the other places I applied. Growing up in Gallup, you see the effects of poverty just walking down the street: people with no job, no skill, no one who truly believes in what they’re capable of. So when I was given the opportunity to join a group that works to change that, I jumped at it.
What especially drew me in was that the work emphasized dignity for the people we help. It’s not just about giving someone a loaf of bread, and saying “that’s good for today.” It’s about growing in the community.
To learn more about ATD Fourth World’s volunteering and internship opportunities, reach out to newmexico@atdfourthworld-usa.org or (505) 488-3624.
Story Garden on Wheels at the St. Francis Fiesta
ATD Fourth World Supporting Local Community Initiatives
ATD Fourth World aims to support community initiatives whenever possible. On October 1st, we took our Story Garden on Wheels to Gallup’s northside for the 80th annual St Francis Fiesta. We were invited to raise awareness of the activities we run in the community, as well as to provide a fun, free activity for the local families attending the event.
Then on October 21st, ATD Fourth World was invited by Play Sharity Gallup to take part in their Day of Play, to promote the idea of opening a hands-on children's museum right here in our community. We showcased our Learning with Dakota! dinosaur exhibit, and connected with local teachers interested in our educational activities for their students. Check out our photos from the day and reach out if you’re interested in using these free educational resources in your school or library.
Day of Play
Become a Story Gardener!
Story Gardens bring a moment of fun and peace that everybody needs. The three Story Gardens run by ATD Fourth World in New Mexico are spaces where children can harvest happiness, friendship, confidence, pride, and self-expression along with a rooted identity of belonging to their families and communities.
We have launched a giving campaign to ask for your support and invite you to become a Story Gardener and Cultivate Story Garden.
