Dr. Chris Morgan and local volunteer Cervantes "Buddy" Roybal join the show to discuss the massive volunteer effort behind the New Mexico Mission of Mercy event that will take place April 26-27 at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. The large-scale dental clinic will provide dental treatment at no cost to individuals who can't access or afford dental care. The event will require approximately 1,200 volunteers and organizers are seeking to raise $215,000. Find more information at sfnm.co/mission. 

Dr. Chris Morgan and local volunteer Cervantes "Buddy" Roybal join the show to discuss the massive volunteer effort behind the New Mexico Mission of Mercy event that will take place April 26-27 at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. The large-scale dental clinic will provide dental treatment at no cost to individuals who can't access or afford dental care. The event will require approximately 1,200 volunteers and organizers are seeking to raise $215,000. Find more information at sfnm.co/mission.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.

Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.
Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez

Mission of Mercy to offer free dental work to hundreds

Have you ever wondered who’s in charge of maintaining government buildings throughout New Mexico? That would be the General Services Department, currently led by Cabinet Secretary Anna Silva. 

Silva, a native New Mexican and longtime state official, oversees a department with various responsibilities, including assisting other state agencies with procurement, insurance and day-to-day administrative tasks. It’s also responsible for ensuring the buildings those agencies are housed in are maintained so the public can easily access them. 

It may not sound like a difficult job, but it takes skill and sound decision-making to get the work done. 

On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Secretary Silva to discuss her department’s efforts to revamp landscaping at state government buildings to improve curb appeal.   

Prior to Silva’s tenure, she said a landscaping plan wasn’t really in place which led to trees and weeds overtaking some buildings. The opportunity to create a sustainable plan, under the direction of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, arose and she’s taken it seriously. She’s selected projects of impact and chosen flora that fit a building’s character.  

The results caught the attention of Russell Gomez, who wanted to learn more about the new process.  

Silva said the work was only possible because it took “a governor with a vision and a secretary with a mission” to make it happen. 

Have you ever wondered who&rsquo;s in charge of maintaining government buildings throughout New Mexico? That would be the General Services Department, currently led by Cabinet Secretary Anna Silva.&nbsp;
Silva, a native New Mexican and longtime state official, oversees a department with various responsibilities, including assisting other state agencies with procurement, insurance and day-to-day administrative tasks. It&rsquo;s also responsible for ensuring the buildings those agencies are housed in are maintained so the public can easily access them.&nbsp;
It may not sound like a difficult job, but it takes skill and sound decision-making to get the work done.&nbsp;
On the latest &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Secretary Silva to discuss her department&rsquo;s efforts to revamp landscaping at state government buildings to improve curb appeal.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Prior to Silva&rsquo;s tenure, she said a landscaping plan wasn&rsquo;t really in place which led to trees and weeds overtaking some buildings. The opportunity to create a sustainable plan, under the direction of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, arose and she&rsquo;s taken it seriously. She&rsquo;s selected projects of impact and chosen flora that fit a building&rsquo;s character.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The results caught the attention of Russell Gomez, who wanted to learn more about the new process.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Silva said the work was only possible because it took &ldquo;a governor with a vision and a secretary with a mission&rdquo; to make it happen.&nbsp;

New Mexico General Services secretary shares why she has revamped landscaping efforts at state buildings

As our planet continues to experience environmental changes that have brought extreme temperatures and unpredictable conditions, faith leaders are stepping up to offer diplomacy when outside groups seek to extract precious resources.  

Rev. Andrew Black, associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe and founder of EarthKeepers 360, is one of those leaders. His decades-long work in conservation has centered on protecting the natural landscape and the many ecosystems that inhabit it through implementation of programs and collaborative efforts.  

While working for former U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and later, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Black led coalitions that fought to protect public lands and national monuments, like the Valles Caldera and the Rio Grande del Norte, from irreparable destruction.  

That worked has helped him to now fight for the Arctic.  

On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Black to discuss a trip he took with elected officials and other faith leaders to Alaska. The trip highlighted the relationship wildlife has in that region with the environment and why interference would have serious implications.  

In Black’s words, the trip was about “reawakening the moral consciousness of this nation.”  

While the trip’s mission didn’t have any direct ties to New Mexico, Black explains why the lessons learned there could apply here as the state sees a drying Rio Grande and an increase in animals seeking refuge in urban spaces.

As our planet continues to experience environmental changes that have brought extreme temperatures and unpredictable conditions, faith leaders are stepping up to offer diplomacy when outside groups seek to extract precious resources.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Rev. Andrew Black, associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe and founder of EarthKeepers 360, is one of those leaders. His decades-long work in conservation has centered on protecting the natural landscape and the many ecosystems that inhabit it through implementation of programs and collaborative efforts.&nbsp;&nbsp;
While working for former U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and later, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Black led coalitions that fought to protect public lands and national monuments, like the Valles Caldera and the Rio Grande del Norte, from irreparable destruction.&nbsp;&nbsp;
That worked has helped him to now fight for the Arctic.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Black to discuss a trip he took with elected officials and other faith leaders to Alaska. The trip highlighted the relationship wildlife has in that region with the environment and why interference would have serious implications.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In Black&rsquo;s words, the trip was about &ldquo;reawakening the moral consciousness of this nation.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
While the trip&rsquo;s mission didn&rsquo;t have any direct ties to New Mexico, Black explains why the lessons learned there could apply here as the state sees a drying Rio Grande and an increase in animals seeking refuge in urban spaces.

Rev. Andrew Black on why faith is helping preserve the Arctic and New Mexico from environmental catastrophe

Teachers are often the ones who leave a lasting impact on a child both in and out of the classroom.  

But they’re not alone. Community volunteers also play a special role in a child’s learning, especially early on. They are there helping with activities, being a role model for excellence and demonstrating what it means to have healthy relationships with others.  

Those types of experiences, you won’t find in any lesson plan or textbook— which makes them valuable in today’s world.  

To discuss the importance that volunteers have in Santa Fe Public Schools, Crystal Ybarra, chief engagement officer, and Sabra Romero, volunteer coordinator, join host Inez Russell Gomez on the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode.  

Ybarra and Romero talk about the district’s volunteering program that allows community members to get involved and support educators in a variety of areas.  

For students, Romero said the program provides necessary enrichment beyond academics. For teachers, Ybarra said the additional support helps kids be interested in their education amid ongoing challenges with attendance and subject comprehension.   

The two also elaborate on the process to become a volunteer, emphasizing that anyone who is interested should reach out.  

To learn more, visit https://www.sfps.info/page/volunteering-sfps  

Teachers are often the ones who leave a lasting impact on a child both in and out of the classroom.&nbsp;&nbsp;
But they&rsquo;re not alone. Community volunteers also play a special role in a child&rsquo;s learning, especially early on. They are there helping with activities, being a role model for excellence and demonstrating what it means to have healthy relationships with others.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Those types of experiences, you won&rsquo;t find in any lesson plan or textbook&mdash; which makes them valuable in today&rsquo;s world.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To discuss the importance that volunteers have in Santa Fe Public Schools, Crystal Ybarra, chief engagement officer, and Sabra Romero, volunteer coordinator, join host Inez Russell Gomez on the latest &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; podcast episode.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Ybarra and Romero talk about the district&rsquo;s volunteering program that allows community members to get involved and support educators in a variety of areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;
For students, Romero said the program provides necessary enrichment beyond academics. For teachers, Ybarra said the additional support helps kids be interested in their education amid ongoing challenges with attendance and subject comprehension.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The two also elaborate on the process to become a volunteer, emphasizing that anyone who is interested should reach out.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To learn more, visit <a href="https://www.sfps.info/page/volunteering-sfps">https://www.sfps.info/page/volunteering-sfps</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mission of Mercy to offer free dental work to hundreds

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