Doña  Ana Communities United
January 2018  Newsletter

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of DACU's efforts to cultivate voices and forms of engagement that are traditionally undervalued in our society. Read on for a list of our accomplishments in 2017!

While these achievements are heartening, what we value most are the moments we've spent learning and growing with you in community.  Whether you attend DACU team meetings, serve on a steering committee, exchange services in the timebank, or share words of advice, know that we appreciate you.  ¡Mil gracias y feliz año nuevo!

Warmly, 
Kari and Meredith

DACU Director 
Kari Bachman
575-496-4330
DACU Outreach Coordinator 
Meredith Severtson
575-323-0730

Upcoming DACU Events

All events listed below will be held at our office ( 151 S Walnut Street, Unit  B13).
You'll find directions at the  bottom of this newsletter.

DACU Team Meeting
January 25, 11 AM - 1 PM

Timebank Potluck
February 17, 1 - 3 PM

Timebank Orientation
February 12, 5:30 - 7 PM

2017 in Review

These are just a few of the things we accomplished together in 2017:
  • Social equity mappers in Las Cruces painted an intersection mural, spoke multiple times before City Council, participated in the City's inaugural Neighborhood Leadership Academy, and planned an upcoming project at the Community of Hope. Together we crafted an agreement to implement a more horizontal organizational structure in 2018.
  • The timebank enrolled over 130 new members and everyone got to know each other at monthly timebank potlucks. Over 475 service exchanges were conducted in 2017 totaling more than 1,200 hours. Since its formation in July, the timebank steering committee has helped coordinate this rewarding work.
  • We deepened our connections with our colleagues in Ciudad Juárez. Three Juárez timebankers helped with the intersection mural, Las Cruces timebank members traveled to Juárez in July, and three juarenses attended the statewide HEP partner meeting we hosted last month.
  • Social equity mappers in Chaparral have engaged approximately 400 residents about the multi-use trail the County will build along Lisa Drive. Their innovative outreach efforts have galvanized broad support and input from residents, businesses, and social service organizations.
  • Through "Just Community," our weekly radio show on KTAL-LP, 15 different guests/groups shared their perspectives on social equity.
We look forward to continuing all of these projects in 2018, as well as working with residents in the Nevada Neighborhood. Onward!

Timebanking in Juárez
On January 14, our friends in Juárez held their first timebank orientation! They enrolled 21 new members at the Bazar Cultural del Monumento, a weekly outdoor market that several of them organize. We look forward to exploring with them how we can be true partners in creating a border region that values all residents. ¡Bienvenidos a todos!
New members explore the core values of timebanking: Asset, Redefining Work, Reciprocity, Social Networks, and Respect.

New members write down their offers and requests.

Welcome Andrea!

We are excited to welcome Andrea Manini back to the DACU team this month. We first worked together in spring 2015 when she was at DACC. This semester, she is fulfilling her requirements for her bachelor's degree in public health. She will be working primarily with the Nevada Neighborhood project, engaging with residents and the Community School at Lynn Middle School.

After graduating this spring from NMSU, Andrea will be applying to the dental hygiene program at DACC. She is a dancer as well as an incredibly talented self-taught nail artist. Welcome back Andrea!

Andrea Manini
"Just Community" Radio Show

Kari continues to broadcast her live show "Just Community" every Thursday morning from 8 to 9 on KTAL-LP 101.5 FM. The show aims to highlight voices not often heard in our community. Recent guests have included Krysten Aguilar from La Semilla Food Center, retired firefighter and bicycle-pedestrian activist Andrew Bencomo, and hiphop deejay and Learning Action Buffet volunteer Kellin Acree. On January 18, Kari will interview Charles Clements about public transportation in the city. 

Archived interviews are available on Google Drive. You can also stream the show live on the KTAL website.  If you or someone you know would make a great guest on "Just Community," contact Kari to get involved!

Krysten Aguilar with the station schedule.

Andrew Bencomo after his interview.
Kellin Acree in the KTAL studio.

Directions to Our Office
151 South Walnut Street, Unit B13  map

DACU is located at the corner of Walnut and Griggs in the Walnut Business Park. We are  w alking distance from Roadrunner bus routes 6 and 7. Please 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 a nonpartisan organization and we welcome everyone to join us!

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.