APRENDAMOS announces new Culture, Equity & Belonging Champion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1 March 2022

Contact: 575-526-6682

APRENDAMOS FAMILY OF SERVICES ANNOUNCES NEW
CULTURE, EQUITY & BELONGING CHAMPION

Las Cruces, New Mexico – Aprendamos Family of Services is proud to announce Laura Elmquist as the new Culture, Equity & Belonging Champion. As Culture, Equity & Belonging Champion, Laura will oversee the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice initiatives at Aprendamos Family of Services.

Laura Elmquist is the Culture, Equity & Belonging Champion at Aprendamos Family of Services, a company that is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of babies, children, and families.

With her passion for learning and a true love for her beautiful community and state, she hopes to make a difference and contribution in the areas of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging to support the success of our future generations, colleagues, and community partners.  She joined the team at Aprendamos in 2015 because of the company’s values, mindful culture, and service to our community.

When Laura is not researching the latest trends on company culture and supporting her organization, she enjoys being a mom to Anelise and Cooper (four-legged child), being with her family, volunteering with youth organizations, reading, and being out in nature (mostly looking at rocks). Laura is a member of the Ysleta Tigua Indian tribe and was raised in Tortugas, New Mexico.

“I am humbled, honored, and excited for the opportunity to lead such important work for our organization, the families we serve, and our beautiful community! I look forward to learning and walking alongside you all on this journey.’” – Laura Elmquist

“The Aprendamos Shareholders and I are looking forward to supporting Laura Elmquist in her new role as the Culture, Equity & Belonging Champion. We believe Laura will continue to create spaces and conversations where every family and child, Aprendamos, and community member is seen, heard, and recognized for their gifts and talents.  It’s our vision that we will help co-create inclusive and diverse spaces within Southern New Mexico. We encourage everyone to join us in this journey of belonging.”– Abel Covarrubias, Chief Executive Officer, and Shareholder, Aprendamos Family of Services.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, BELONGING, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT

Our Commitment

to you,

to our teams,

to the families & children we serve,

to our communities where we live and play.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice & Belonging are at the heart of our values.  We are committed to nurturing an environment and culture where we all know we belong and where each of us can comfortably bring our authentic, best selves to work, the work we do, and the services we deliver.

Regardless of race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity, disability, marital status, and veteran status, we believe in equal opportunity for all prospective team members, our current team, and the families & children we serve.

We believe that every child should have access to the best possible start in life.

We celebrate & honor where each child and family are on their journey; therefore, a compassionate, individualized experience and service delivery is what we strive for.

We are committed to learning & growing in this space and continuing this very important work because not only is it the right thing to do, it fosters creativity, productivity, innovation, and successful outcomes for our communities, families, and teams. We pledge to keep diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice & belonging at the center of our daily work, decisions, interactions, and service delivery.

Our 3-Year Plan

• Support Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, Belonging and Social Justice in New Mexico.
• Increase engagement at the Local and State level to advocate for the families we serve.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive DEIB & SJ program across the organization.

Join us on this journey

This is more than just OUR journey…it’s a journey for ALL of us. 

We recognize that we are better together.  Walking together on this journey, we will make a positive impact on our community and world one child, one family, one relationship at a time.

For more information or to share ideas please email equity@aitkids.com.

ABOUT APRENDAMOS FAMILY OF SERVICE

Aprendamos Family of Services had been providing services to our communities for over 15 years. Six programs make up Aprendamos Family of Services with over 230 passionate team members working with children and families daily.

Cariño Home Visiting Program provides free home visiting, parent education, and community resources for families with children up to the age of 5. Services are provided throughout Doña Ana, Otero, and Sierra Counties.

The Conscious Fathering Program provides free classes and support for fathers and father figures (grand-fathers, uncles, big brothers).

Aprendamos Early Intervention provides free early intervention services for infants and toddlers. Services include speech, occupational, physical therapy, nutrition and nursing support, infant massage, developmental instruction, and service coordination. Services are provided throughout Doña Ana and Sierra counties, and visits are conducted via telehealth or in-person.

Esperanza Children’s Therapy clinics provide speech therapy, occupation, and physical therapy for children ages three to 18 years old. Clinics are in Anthony and Las Cruces, NM. Therapy sessions are conducted via telehealth or in-clinic.

Mariposa Autism Service Center provides ABA or Applied Behavior Analysis therapy to children diagnosed with Autism. Service areas include Doña Ana County, Deming, and Albuquerque Metro.

Alegria Family Counseling provides mental health counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Services are provided via telehealth or in-clinic.

To learn more about Aprendamos Family of Services, visit www.aitkids.com or call 575-526-6682.

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