By CINDY PADILLA
Executive Director
UWNNM

Growing up in New Mexico, looking back, I know I took a lot for granted. Simple things like the fall air filled with the smell of roasting green chile, winter air filled with the smell of fireplaces burning keeping our homes warm, or the feeling of a snowflake gently landing on your eyelashes. Now as an adult, I often have conversations about the magic of New Mexico. There is a power here that either embraces you or pushes you away. So many people I know, like me, know this embrace, and often say it is like “magic”.

Is it magic? Or something real? I’m here to say … it might be a little of both. Working for United Way of Northern New Mexico (UWNNM), I get to see magic every day. I see the magic that happens when the people of San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen greet their families daily, and no one leaves hungry. I see the magic when Mesa to Mesa finishes a job and an older adult, living alone, feels the warmth of their home once again. I see the magic when Self Help pays a utility bill for a young mother, who would otherwise have her gas turned off. And I see the magic when I receive a $6 donation and then take a funding recommendation to my board supporting $450,000 in grant money to more than  25 nonprofit organizations working in Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties. Magic? Or the power of you … our community coming together to touch the lives of so many.

In 2023/24, because of the power of you, United Way of Northern New Mexico, awarded over $450,000 in grants to 25 nonprofit organizations working in the counties of Rio Arriba and Los Alamos. Because of the power of you our neighbors have food on their tables, keep the heat on, have an after school tutor, a place in the mountains to connect to the internet, a place to sleep, a ride to cancer treatment, an understanding counselor help with their depression … northern New Mexico magic.

I saw something on the internet the other day, a quote from Aristotle … “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort and intelligent execution. I add, “kindness, understanding, generosity, acceptance and compassion.” Yes, they are all a result of intention, effort and execution. But I also believe that there is  a little northern New Mexico magic.

As we bring in the new year, I would like to offer my most sincere gratitude to our people of northern New Mexico here in Los Alamos and Rio Arriba! Because of the power of your high intention and sincere effort, magic happens.

From all of us at United Way of Northern New Mexico, we wish you all a wonderful new year! A year filled with joy, gratitude, and a little New Mexico magic!

2024 UWNNM Grantees

• Food Depot, Casita de Comida
• Self Help Los Alamos
• CASA First
• Inside Out
• Cancer Fund of NM
• Ojo Sarco Community Center
• Embudo Valley Tutoring
• Truchas Service Center
• San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen
• Los Alamos Family Council
• El Rito Public Library
• Family Strengths Network
• Chama Valley Arts
• Mesa to Mesa
• LA Family YMCA/Española Teen Center
• Scott’s House
• Moving Arts Española
• Las Cumbres
• Mc Curdy Community Center/Ministries
• Embudo Library
• Pajarito Environmental Education Center