Kristy Ortega’s daughter Liv always gives her mom a boost, but here she gives her a lift, too. Courtesy/Samantha D’Anna Photography
CYA News:
Champions of Youth Ambitions know the topic of suicide prevention is a hard sell. The goal is to teach community members what signs might be visible when someone is in trouble and how to offer hope when you identify someone struggling. Now, we have decided to reach out to community members to see why the topic is important to them.
Today, we heard from local Re/Max Realtor and small business owner Kristy Ortega. Growing up in an affluent town, where expectations of greatness loomed large, profoundly shaped her perspective and those around her. “Throughout my upbringing, my life, and now my career, it’s become evident that no corner is untouched by the realities of addiction, mental health struggles, or suicide,” Ortega said. “This issue is deeply personal to me. I have lost loved ones to suicide, nearly lost others, and stood on the front lines with many battling anxiety, addiction, and depression. My passion for suicide prevention stems from these experiences and a deep desire to bring hope, understanding, and support to those who are struggling.”
Nation-wide we would like to see people embrace self-care in 2025, but where do people start? Ortega likes to take time to be present and grateful. She views self-care remarkably similar to her job of selling homes. You start working on yourself from the inside out. One way she does that is by volunteering to give back to better appreciate the positives in her own life, while trying to make a difference for others.
To help celebrate C’YAs 10th anniversary, Ortega along with three other small-based businesses collected spare change to increase the number of times suicide prevention can be taught in our community. She not only collected the change, but brought the donations collected straight to Champions of Youth Ambitions to help get things underway.
What would she say to encourage people to attend training? “I always think about strategically placed defibrillator machines,” Ortega said. “If you need them and they are there, and sometimes you can save a life. The more trained people you have, while you hope you never need it, you may be somewhere when someone needs you.”
Ortega was raised in Los Alamos County, graduated from LAHS, and has proudly remained rooted in this community ever since. An exciting opportunity led her to United Way of Northern New Mexico, where she dedicated almost five years to making a meaningful impact. Those types of positions allow someone to see the community, the region, and the state in a whole new perspective. Today, she pursues a career she loves selling real estate. “This profession not only fulfills me but also provides the flexibility to actively volunteer and give back to the community that has given me so much,” she said.
The next suicide prevention presentation is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday, March 3 at the White Rock Branch Library. The program is willing to come to your place of business for a staff training, to local groups and more. They are willing to track students with sign-in sheets for documentation, for volunteer hours, class credit and provide a signed certificate to employers or teachers willing to send students. Call 505.695.9139 or email cya.org@att.net for additional information.
The March training is sponsored by 100 Men Who Care, and small businesses like Re/Max. Snacks and drinks will be provided by the generosity of great community minded folks.