Doña  Ana Communities United
July 2017 Newsletter

Hot off the press! The DACU feature in yesterday's issue of the  Las Cruces Bulletin  showcases our  busy and exciting summer. This month we hosted a successful Summer Gathering, presented at City Hall and started a timebank steering committee! 

We are sad that Parisa's year with us is over at the end of July, yet we look forward to our new Outreach Coordinator, Meredith Severtson, joining us at the end of August! Please read on as well as attend the DACU team meeting on July 27th for more updates on our work. 

Warmly, 
Kari and Parisa

DACU Director 
Kari Bachman 
575-496-4330

DACU Outreach Coordinator 
Parisa Shirazi 
575-323-1252

Upcoming DACU Events

DACU Team Meeting 
July 27th | 11am - 1pm 
DACU office

Office Closure
Aug 3rd - 14th 
Staff time off 

Timebank Orientation 
Aug 18th| 5:30 - 7:00pm
DACU office

Timebank Potluck
Aug 25th | 5:30 - 7:30pm
DACU office

Our office is located at 151 S Walnut Street, Unit B13. You'll find directions at the  bottom of this newsletter.
Summer Gathering 
On June 29th, we gathered at Peace Lutheran Church to celebrate and share updates about our work. It was a great opportunity to build stronger connections through a group activity, share a meal and auction off services.  Thank you to all our supporters and volunteers who made the gathering possible, including the New Mexico Health Equity Partnership. 

We would also like to thank those who donated items for our auction. Many of the services have already been exchanged and they have fostered new friendships! If you won an auction item, please contact the donor to complete your exchange. 

Photos by Robert Yee 
Marco sharing about a time he felt he wasn't heard
Our supporters enjoying the potato bar
New friendships being made


City Council Meeting 
On July 10th we presented recommendations to City Council from our Social Equity Mapping Project (see the video  here). As a result, we are going to be meeting with management to explore our three recommendations: using participatory budgeting to allocate a portion of the Telshor Fund, creating workforce opportunities for underappreciated residents, and involving residents in complete streets projects. The goal is to advance equity in the City's plans, policies, programs, and processes: it's longterm work that is bringing many rewards!

Building Community! 
Our timebank has become a beautiful source of community for people from all walks of life. At our potluck last Friday, w e made new connections and gave Parisa a warm goodbye. With this transition just around the corner, we have started a steering committee to help us run the timebank. 

Our office will be closed from August 3rd - 14th so if you have questions about the timebank or the online system, please reach out to steering committee member  Susan Ansara.

Time bank members and friends mingling
 
Timebank members drawing portraits and writing letters to Parisa

Mapping in Chaparral 
We have partnered with the County community development department and new community mappers to engage Chaparral residents prior to construction of a multi-use trail along Lisa Drive. Perla Diaz and Lizette Estrada are observing the area, documenting the size of puddles and  interviewing residents and agency staff to collect their suggestions for the trail.  On July 29th, DACU is hosting a community walk to obtain more input from community members.

Left: current conditions on Lisa Drive. Right: artist's depiction of the future trail.


Directions to Our Office: 
151 South Walnut Street, Unit B13  map
We are located at the corner of Walnut and Griggs in the Walnut Business Park. Our  office is w alking distance from Roadrunner bus routes 6 and 7. Please give us a call before you come by, as we are often out and about in the community!
 
Doña Ana Communities United (DACU) builds the capacity of communities to develop and implement policies and community-based solutions that improve social, economic, and environmental conditions that shape health and life opportunities. We work to advance health equity in Doña Ana County by addressing institutional inequities related to geography, class, gender, and race. 

We are conducting two main projects. Through the social equity mapping project, undervalued community members explore their neighborhoods and work with local decision makers to develop policies that advance health equity. Participants in the hOurTime timebank build social cohesion and practice an equitable form of alternative economics as they exchange services with each other.