In 2017 NMW.O published a two-part report, The Heart of Gender Justice in New Mexico: Intersectionality, Economic Security, and Health Equity. One of the key themes we heard from participants across the state was the need for longer-term healing around issues impacting communities, such as substance use, gender-based violence, and mental health. Healing was mentioned as a core element of healthy communities and was discussed in relation to the ongoing legacies of colonization, structural racism, and patriarchy.
For example, we heard from a community partner how, “We have got to focus on just the healing. That became resistance. And that was decolonizing.” Most significantly, the need for women and women of color focused spaces of healing were a common theme across the state. Communities voiced a need for self-care practices and rejuvenation for individuals and organizations working for social change. For example, a participant in Española explained, “I feel torn, as we know that people are living with this critical need, and we’re talking about bolstering the helpers. But if our helpers are burning out every three years, at a max sometimes, then we’re not building a system that actually can help people.”
Based on what communities shared, NMW.O has awarded 10 mini healing grants to community partner organizations working on gender justice issues across New Mexico. The awards are intended for self-care and healing activities for the staff of the organizations and can be used however participants interpret or prefer to engage in those activities. We are honored to support the following organizations in their healing and self-care practice:
- Barrios Unidos (Rio Arriba County)
- Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (Statewide)
- El Valle Women’s Collaborative (San Miguel County)
- Encuentro (Bernalillo County)
- Healing Circle Drop In Center (San Juan/McKinley Counties)
- Kalpulli Izkalli (Bernalillo County)
- La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services of Southern New Mexico (Doña Ana County)
- OLE Education Fund (Bernalillo Sandoval, Valencia Counties)
- Somos Un Pueblo Unido (Statewide)
- Tri-County Family Justice Center (San Miguel/Mora/Guadalupe Counties)
Artwork by Taslim van Hattum.