ACCESS NM strengthens families and communities by building protective factors that
reduce the impacts of trauma and adverse childhood experiences, driving meaningful
improvements across the social determinants of health. Through an integrated
approach combining arts, community, culture, education, sports, science, and wraparound support
services, we equip children, adults, and families with the emotional, physical, and
intellectual tools needed to heal and thrive. By connecting individuals and families to
healthcare, employment, food security, legal services, utilities, and other essential
resources, ACCESS NM addresses the root conditions that shape long-term well-being
— empowering communities to build resilience, expand opportunity, and create a
stronger, more equitable future together.
Mission: ACCESS equips children and families in under-served, immigrant, and Latino
communities with holistic, culturally responsive opportunities in arts, academics, and
wellness to build resilience, celebrate culture, and develop transformational leaders.
Our Mission
We have a mission of developing transformational leaders through holistic, creative, physical, and academic opportunities for kids and their families in under-served, predominantly immigrant and Latino communities.
Our work prioritizes: thriving children, working families, and equitable communities. We work with children and young adults to ensure they have equitable, high-quality experiences, including leadership development. Our programs attract and involve parents or caregivers, encouraging engagement with education, social support, health, and income supports in a safe environment, which creates more stable families.
We are working to create a vibrant South Valley,
free from structural inequities.
ACCESS was founded by Fernando Ortega in 2013 to develop the interests and leadership skills of underserved children from Albuquerque’s South Valley by connecting them to mentors, educators and professionals.