N.M. Delegation Welcomes Nearly $4.6 Million to Increase Food Security, Support Native Students’ Mental Health and Education, Empower Youth Land Conservation

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming $4,588,132 to increase access to healthy foods at Roadrunner Food Bank, support student mental health at Tribal schools, assist with computer science education for Native American students, and complete land conservation projects in Northern and Central New Mexico.  

“As the Senate’s first AmeriCorps alum, I know how rewarding it is to roll up your sleeves to serve your community. And that’s what this funding will do: give today’s AmeriCorps members the chance to roll up their sleeves to serve New Mexico, ensuring families have food to put on the table, support Native students’ mental health and education, and continue the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps’ conservation work,” said Heinrich. “From my seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’m committed to continuing to deliver the resources our communities need to thrive.” 

“I’m proud to welcome this critical funding of $4.5 million to help support AmeriCorps members in New Mexico and their work caring for local communities,” said Luján. “These critical investments will help develop our workforce and provide families with healthy meals while giving students more support, both inside and outside of the classroom, including those in Native communities. In addition, I’m glad this funding will also help expand computer science education and create more job opportunities through land conservation in northern and central New Mexico.” 

“The Rocky Mountain Youth Corps in Taos hires our future generation of conservationists and contractors to care for our lands and environment,” said Leger Fernández. “This $1.5 million investment from AmeriCorps will help RMYC complete essential land conservation projects to protect our forests from wildfires and preserve Nuevo Mexico’s beauty.” 

“AmeriCorps programs get things done!” said Stansbury. “The $426,191 in funding to the Roadrunner Food Bank, plus 38 AmeriCorps members on the ground, means more food on the tables of more New Mexicans. The 20 additional AmeriCorps staff and the $400,000 to the NACA-Inspired Schools Network will ensure increased access to educational programming to Indigenous communities. As a former AmeriCorps member, our pledge was ‘get things done for America’ and these programs do just that.”   

“The Roadrunner Food Bank does incredible work not just in Albuquerque, but across the state to solve food insecurity,” said Vasquez. “I am so proud that they will be receiving funding from AmeriCorp to expand their vital services and make a lasting impact in our communities.” 

The funding includes: 

• $426,191 for Roadrunner Food Bank to increase access to healthy foods and food security, serving an estimated 2,000 individuals. The food bank will have 38 AmeriCorps members serving.  
• $400,000 for NACA-Inspired Schools Network II to support student mental health in schools and nonprofit organizations in New Mexico. There will be 20 AmeriCorps members supporting Tribal schools throughout the state, including: 

• Native American Community Academy (NACA) in Albuquerque; 
• Dream Diné Charter School in Shiprock; 
• Dzil Dit Looí School of Empowerment and Action in Navajo; 
• Six Directions Indigenous School in Gallup; 
• Raíces del Saber in Las Cruces; and  
• Kha’p’o Community School in Española.  

• $472,067 for the Tides Center to assist with computer science education for K-12 Native American students. The Tides Center will have 27 AmeriCorps members serving. 
• $1,546,745 for the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps to complete various land conservation projects in Northern and Central New Mexico. The Rocky Mountain Youth Corps will have 166 AmeriCorps members serving.  

For more information on this funding, click here.  

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