Good News Roundup: UNMH breaks ground, Sol Housing gives out scholarships and NM Gas helping heroes

Welcome to the weekly good news roundup, bringing you some of the great “good news” from around New Mexico.

A new standard of care

The University of New Mexico Hospital broke ground Monday on the construction of a new, $36 million replacement and expansion of the Children’s Psychiatric Center, or CPC. The new center will have several specialty beds that will be set aside for extremely complex patients, which the hospital has never had before. Currently, the psychiatric center is located inside a 35-bed cottage-style hospital and adolescent inpatient unit. When the new 32,500 square-foot center is completed, it will have the capacity for 52 beds. It will also have three patient courtyards, complete with play equipment and increased privacy for the patients.

Funding for the project was made possible by voters approving a Higher Education General Obligation Bond in 2022. Construction on the new center is expected to be complete in the Summer of 2026.

“Today marks a transformative step forward for our most vulnerable children and adolescents in New Mexico,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a press release from UNMH. “The new Children’s Psychiatric Center is a beacon of hope, ensuring that every child facing a mental health crisis has access to modern care in a safe, supportive environment.”

Building a better Albuquerque

Three Central New Mexico Community College students have been awarded the 2024 “Building A Better Albuquerque” scholarship from Sol Housing. Senida Gurule, Kimberly Trinh and Munin Yambao were all announced as the recipients in a press release in early October. The scholarship fund provides financial assistance to teens, young adults and non-traditional students living in and around communities that Sol Housing serves. A nonprofit, Sol’s mission is to provide exceptional housing that promotes household stability and vibrant communities.

The scholarship is open to any student pursuing a post-secondary education and applicants are evaluated on their academic goals, community involvement and how they feel they can contribute to building a better Albuquerque.

Yambao is currently studying nutrition at CNM and plans to transfer to the University of New Mexico to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from the university.

“I want to help with food insecurity and food education,” she said in a press release.

Gurule is a respiratory therapy student at CNM and wants to pursue a career in healthcare.

“I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in my journey as a future respiratory therapist,” Gurule said. “I look forward to contributing to the field, while striving for excellence in patient care and service.”

Trinh is also looking to make an impact in the healthcare field. Originally an education studies major, she switched to nursing after working as a caretaker and now plans to get her bachelor’s in nursing.

“I started working as a caregiver so I could take care of myself and my little sister.” she explained. “After coming to the realization that I loved the work that I was doing, my academic goals shifted completely.”

All three students received a $500 scholarship award to put towards their education costs.

Helping heroes

The New Mexico Gas Co. is launching a new program aimed at helping provide financial assistance to volunteer first responder organizations. Dubbed, “Helping Heroes,” the program will provide assistance to organizations across New Mexico that are served by the gas company.

Nearly 60% of the fire departments in New Mexico are volunteer based, according to the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. With more than 30% of the state’s population living in rural communities, volunteer first responders are the first line of defense in cases of emergencies.

With that in mind, the gas company is committing $425,000 to the program this year to enhance the operational capacity of volunteer first responders. They are now accepting applications for financial assistance to help purchase safety equipment, professional training, safety education, recruitment efforts and behavioral health support.

For more information on eligibility and the application process, volunteer first responder organizations can visit www.nmgco.com/en/in_your_community. Applications will be open until Dec. 1.