Adult Find Comes To The Alamo

By Nathalie Nance
For the Mountain Mail

ALAMO NAVAJO Reservation - The 7th annual Alamo Adult Find was held Feb. 6 at the Alamo Wellness Center, sponsored by Alamo Community Services and Alamo Navajo School Board, Inc.
Representatives from the Alamo Health Clinic, Alamo Circuit Court, Alamo Navajo School Board Human Resources, New Mexico Job Corps, Socorro Sheriff’s Department, Navajo Technical College, Home Care Options and Positive Outcomes were just a few of those present recently to distribute pamphlets, provide forms for applications, answer questions, and otherwise inform on how they can serve the Alamo community.
People mingled their way around the booths and came away with, if not a job or education, at least pamphlets, candy and t-shirts, and an idea of where to find it.
Personnel from the varied agencies offered Alamo residents information and assistance with paperwork ranging from getting into college, finding a job, renewing health insurance, and more.
Marlene Herrera, Director of the Alamo Community Services, helped out with issues where the demand was particularly high. For instance, many came to apply for new birth certificates either for themselves or for their children.
“I laminated mine, before I learned you couldn’t do that, so now I need a new one,” Matilda Billy said.
However, with the assistance of Herrera, filling out the application for a new certificate turned out to be a brief affair. According to Herrera, there were 41 applications in total for birth certificates during the day, but also for documents like driver’s licenses, social security cards, and tribal enrollment cards.
In the booth of Socorro-based Positive Outcomes, Jacque Valles and her co-worker, Shonia Apachito, demonstrated a big selection of shoes with orthopedic insoles for people with diabetes.
“Type II-diabetes is skyrocketing, not the least in the Native American communities,” said Valles, who offered some advice. “Get off starches and sugars. And lose that weight or it will kill you!”
Shonia Apachito is the service coordinator for the Alamo, and she presented a new program, in cooperation with the Alberta House, to provide early intervention services for children under the age of three. The services they provide are free for any eligible children and their families.
Similarly, Genice Henderson, prevention specialist from Alamo Behavioral Health, talked about the services they offer for all ages. Answering the question of how they get in touch with people in need of help, whether the problem is drugs, alcohol or bullies in school, Henderson said, “We go to the school, to the classrooms, and to places like the Chapter house.”
Jerry Manuelito from Navajo Technical College promoted higher learning.
“We have given several students from the Alamo free tuition over the years, but it is a long way to Crownpoint,” Manuelito said.
He said the college offers lectures at the Alamo once a week. There has been a course on leadership skills and coming up is one on environmental technology.
For young adults ready to enter the work force, Monica Eissele of the New Mexico Job Corps was there to tell about their program for students 16-24 years old.
“Trades and HOT [Health Occupation Technology] are the most popular career choices,” she said.

Adult Find Comes To The Alamo