1SantaFe-The Quality of Life Initiative, was started in March 2013 by City Councilor Carmichael Dominguez and Andrew Black, Field Representative for U.S. Senator Heinrich, to explore ways to improve the lives of those living and working on Santa Fe’s Southside. In November 2013, a two-day kick-off event was held at Zona del Sol that was sponsored by 20 different community organizations. The first
day consisted of “Quality of Life Panels,” which was attended by over 100 community members and 42 panelists discussed various issues related to: health, education, immigration, housing, transportation, economy/jobs, juvenile justice, food access, data needs and ways to work better together to improve quality of life on the Southside. Day two was a “Community Fiesta” that was attended by 175 community members, with 72 residents participating in our first community listening session, and over 20 organizations set-up outreach tables and provided social services. Following the Kick-Off Event, the Initiative has hosted 10 community listening sessions held at various locations throughout the Southside, a two day symposium of listening and strategizing for teen services, healthy food access, and transportation. The movement of empowerment is now gaining momentum, with the formation of community leadership groups, trainings in city government and public speaking, by Councilor Dominguez and Reverend Brandon Johnson, and events to build community relationships, connect people, and grow our collective power.
