During a trip through southern New Mexico, Sen. Martin Heinrich stopped off at a traveling children's museum and a mental health organization in Las Cruces to see how federal funds are being used to serve communities in need. Heinrich toured the Santa Teresa Port of Entry with Rep. Gabe Vázquez on Monday, and the two Democrats (…)
During a trip through southern New Mexico, Senator Martin Heinrich stopped off at a traveling children's museum and a mental health organization in Las Cruces to see how federal funds are being used to help communities in need.
Heinrich toured the Santa Teresa Port of Entry with Rep. Gabe Vázquez on Monday, and the two Democrats held press conferences in Santa Teresa and Las Cruces to talk about new technology at the border and the “No Fentanyl at the Border Act.” Vázquez, who represents the state's 2nd Congressional District, introduced the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives in July.
RELATED: Heinrich and Vasquez visit border to discuss new fentanyl ban bill
But in between dark discussions of drug-related crimes and the illegal drug trade that recruits teenagers to smuggle illegal drugs across the border, Heinrich also made time for lighter visits to see how the government spending he helped procure was helping young children and families in Doña Ana County.
In Anthony, a city of about 10,000 people about 25 miles south of Las Cruces, Heinrich visited a traveling children's museum created by Ngage New Mexico, a group that Heinrich helped receive a $148,000 federal grant.
Candace Chiczniek, program operations coordinator for Ngage New Mexico, told NM Political Report that Ngage has received several donations and grants since coming up with the idea six or seven years ago, but it was the $148,000 the nonprofit received from the federal government a few years ago that allowed them to complete the project and open the mobile children's museum in April.
The funds were used to convert a camper into a traveling museum for children ages 3 to 5. During Heinrich's visit, an outdoor play area was set up next to the museum, where children were putting pine cones into baskets. The museum also had an area where children could pretend to be veterinarians visiting sick stuffed animals waiting in doghouses.
Ciczniek said the mobile museum has been traveling around Doña Ana County since it opened in April. He said the museum not only provides an educational opportunity for young children, but also an opportunity for parents and children to interact, strengthening relationships.
Szyczniek said Ngage doesn't work alone. The group partners with other similar groups, including the Toy Lending Library in Anthony. Since April, the mobile children's museum has participated in about 10 events around Doña Ana County, with about 25 families visiting the museum at each event, Szyczniek said.
Heinrich also visited Families & Youth Innovation Plus, which is expanding mental health services in Las Cruces and opening a certified community behavioral health clinic in Las Cruces with the support of a recent federal grant of $450,000 that Heinrich also helped secure.
Katherine Schmidt, a licensed social worker with FYI Plus, said the clinic is open to anyone, but the majority of its users are underserved youth and families. Schmidt said the clinic is located in the 88005 ZIP code in Las Cruces, near the 88007 ZIP code, which she said is in the 98th percentile for social vulnerability, with lower education levels and higher rates of poverty.
“Compared to other parts of New Mexico, this is in the danger zone,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt said the two ZIP codes in Las Cruces are areas of higher need than some areas in Albuquerque. The organization works with hands-on support groups, such as a housing program that connects families struggling to pay rent. Other groups help with the practical aspects, while FYI Plus helps families with behavioral health.
She said they also offer other programs, such as a dance program for teens, that allows troubled teens to let off some energy in a positive way.
Schmidt said the organization also provides gender-affirming care to LGBTQ youth.
“We accept children of all genders,” she said.
Heinrich told NM Political Report that he sees the expansion of FYI+ services as a “critical foundation for stability on which to build public safety.”
“If you don't have infrastructure, it shows up in all sorts of ways, including crime statistics, so this is an important way to get a broad picture of public safety,” Heinrich said.
