Pictured left to right are charter HEAL Board members Cynthia Culbertson, Carol Virden, Barbara Cunningham and First Lady Barbara Richardson, Rutalee Todd Jernigan, Senator Rod Adair, Coleen Widell, Debbie Haines-Nix, Representative Nora Espinoza, Representative Dub Williams and various community and Greeters from the Chamber at the Grand Opening of the Nest in March 2007.
HEAL was founded by individual citizens in 2005 with one major mission: to stop domestic violence and provide a safe place for women and children who had their lives and families shaken by abuse.
These concerned citizens formed an organization now known as HEAL. They worked in conjunction with law enforcement, state services like the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, businesses, churches, individuals and our state legislators – all intent on making a difference in Lincoln County. From their dedication was born The Nest.
HEAL was founded on certain principles. First and foremost, we believe in the power of hope and change for the women and children who need the Nest and this is achieved in partnership with our innovative services and support. This principle guides everything within our agency, including budgeting, operating procedures, our numerous fundraising and community education events and our investment in comprehensive, professional staff. This is, as they say, where the rubber meets the road.
Secondly, we take pride in our community because it has taken so much pride in our residents’ success. We proudly support other service providers in our area, as we understand and appreciate that no one agency successfully operates in isolation. We are each individually, as well as collectively, an important seam in the safety net for the families we serve.
Thirdly, we expect every member of our HEAL family, from directors to advocates to our retail experts at Sweet Charity, to embrace the values of dedication, love, compassion and strength. It is the foundation of how HEAL operates and is at the heart of how we see ourselves effecting change in the lives of the women and children who chose HEAL as the vehicle of hope and transformation in their lives.