Clarissa Woodworth, Program Coordinator

719-587-6967

clarissa@slvmhc.org

Priscilla Ortega, Team Leader, Prevention Specialist, Costilla County

719-587-6973

priscillao@slvmhc.org

To love what you do at work and to feel that your contributions matter -- how could anything be more fun?!

Rick Esquibel, Supervisor, Counselor and Prevention Specialist

719-587-6988 ricke@slvmhc.org

Working in the Prevention Program has been very busy and rewarding. As a supervisor I get to work with the students, parents, mentors and staff in all aspects of the program. I get to see them develop as individuals. I also get to work with our partnering agencies. I sometimes say to myself, "This job is exhausting;" and then I hear a student say, “I really want to thank you guys for this program. I really had a bad attitude and with your help and this program I have a better attitude toward school and life.”

Hearing these stories makes my job rewarding; I want to continue to make a difference in the lives of the people of the San Luis Valley because they have made a difference in my life.

One day my wife and I were talking and I was telling her about the program; she commented on how excited I was talking about the program. I told her it is because I believe in the program. She believes in me and she believes in the Mi Amino Prevention program.

We are pictured here at the 2006 Mentor Appreciation Dinner; we are both mentors for this wonderful program.

Tom Vigil

Prevention Specialist After-school Programming

719-587-6990

tomv@slvmhc.org

I like working with the prevention team because mentoring is a "cool" program, and working with the kids is "off the hook!" We are all like one family of advocates for the youth in our communities. The formation of the Reaching All Children Equally (R.A.C.E.) module has been enriching and rewarding because we have been able to hook up youth with resources that they didn't otherwise know about.

Shoshanna Montoya, Prevention Specialist

719-587-

shoshannam@slvmhc.org

What I like about working with the team is the experience of helping children and mentors in their lives. I also think that the prevention team is a fun group and I wish that I was working in the office even more.

Kathleen "Kathy" Gilmore , Prevention Specialist

Conejos County

719-587-

kgilmore@slvmhc.org

Adam Vasquez

Prevention Specialist Tobacco Education

adamv@slvmhc.org

719-587-6991

I love my job! I’m very thankful to have been given the opportunity to work with Mi Animo at the SLV Mental Health Center. What I’ve liked most about the job is seeing the kids laughing and enjoying themselves at Elitch’s and during the highway clean-up. To know that the students are taking part in the cleaning of our environment, lets me also participate in giving back to the community. For example, at Elitch’s I got to know some of the kids and to know what they liked. This last community service activity-- highway clean-up--was extraordinary with the collaboration with ASC students, the work followed by games that included children, parents and college students at Adams State College campus .

Shayna Congress, Prevention Specialist

587-6975

shaynac@slvmhc.org

Amy Raya

CASASTART Youth Advocate and Prevention Specialist Monte Vista

Liza Marron

Prevention Specialist

719-587-6944

Lizam@slvmhc.org

Although we have always shared resources, I have done “lone ranger” prevention for many years in more rural parts of the valley and as a new member of the prevention team here, I feel so blessed to be part of a finely-oiled cutting-edge prevention team where all the members support and encourage each other and utilize each others ideas and talents.

Sandra Santa Cruz

Prevention Specialist

719-587-6945

sandrac@slvmhc.org

Nelda Curtiss, Prevention Media Specialist

719-587-6964

neldac@slvmhc.org

I love that we are trying to make a difference by working to prevent alcohol, drug and tobacco use by children and teens. What I also love about working with the Mi Animo Prevention Team is being able to help with public relation duties like newsletters, websites, and writing press releases. It's a cool job!

Gail Garcia

Prevention Specialist

719-376-2511

gailg@slvmhc.org

I'm so excited to be a part of the prevention team because I have heard so much about it for a couple of years; and now I'm a part of it. I'm hard working and love to have fun; but more than that, I want to give back to my community and the kids.