Perspectives

As we continue our work through the third year of the Valencia County Resiliency Corps, a new set of residents completed our UNM Valencia course Youth Safety, Health and Resiliency in 2012. Here are their insights.

 “This course showed me that enough is enough. It’s time to change. We all can make a difference even if it is one voice at a time”  -Annette Medina

  “This course reduced my discouragement about the conditions in Valencia County. It encouraged me to work on reducing the risk factors and increasing the resiliency factors of our people.” -Jeannetta Boyden

 “This course has meant to me? Knowing I am not alone in the struggle to help our youth achieve success.” –David Adame

“This course helped me become aware of the problems in our community but more importantly how we can all come together to try and prevent them.” –Samantha Jackson

 “This course has changed my life by providing me with information to help me pursue advocacy for children. I plan on advocating for more HeadStart programs as well as parent education to reduce the risk factors of child abuse and other risks children face.” – Anastasia Maes

 “This course was beneficial to me. The resources available to me have helped me to advocate for my children. It has brought awareness.” – Dora Silva

Our 2010 graduates of the course Youth Safety, Health and Resiliency share their insights below.

“I enjoyed learning new information about resources and strategies regarding youth injury prevention. I am very excited to have the science of prevention in such a comprehensive manner. This course was instrumental in training our newest prevention co-worker (who also took the course). I would recommend this course highly as a way to understand prevention and the part of that each of us play.” Ginny Adame, Village of Los Lunas/Valencia County DWI programs

“I really enjoyed the enthusiasm of all the course participants. It was a very supportive and encouraging group of individuals to be around and discuss ideas with. The course provided me with a fantastic foundation of knowledge regarding youth injury prevention. I feel that I am more fully prepared to tackle some of the more pressing issues. If you want to be part of a dynamic group of individuals who are enthusiastic about bringing positive change to Valencia County, this course is for you!” Hillary Maez, UNM Valencia Student

“The course was an excellent platform for exploring the needs of youth in Valencia County as well as for data to compare Valencia County with the rest of the state and the nation. This was coupled with very helpful resources for evidence-based practices to improve resiliency outcome for youth in our area.” Ann-Mary MacLeod, MA, Manager of Development & Donor Relations, UNM-Valencia Campus

“I would definitely recommend this class to all those in and entering the field of prevention to get a really good understanding of the field of injury prevention.” Jessica Hernandez, DWI Prevention and Compliance Monitor, Village of Los Lunas/Valencia County DWI Program.

“Ever wonder how you can help youth be safe and succeed? Ever wonder what community qualities will help youth move forward? Ever wonder what role you can play in this process? Ever have an idea of how to make a difference but were not sure if it would work or how it would work? Then this is the course for you. It brings together enthusiastic people with great ideas, national state & local data, evidence based programs, and group problem solving.” Peggy Gutjahr, MSN, RN, Retired Heath Service Director at Belen Schools, Community Advocate

“The Youth Safety, Health and Resiliency Course gave me an understanding of the need for youth injury prevention. I enjoyed learning about evidence-based prevention strategies for the injury areas presented throughout the course. The face-to-face and online lessons helped me get a better understanding of community mobilizing and advocacy. I believe each student participating in the course’s follow-up community projects can make a difference in the county. If you want to see a better future for youth and families in Valencia County, take this course and learn how you can help.” Angelica Kozicki, MS, Valencia County Resiliency Corps Coordinator, UNM- Valencia Campus Fitness & Wellness Education Center Fitness Instructor