New Investment and New Board Member Building on Success of The Bridge of Southern New Mexico
LAS CRUCES, NM – The Bridge of Southern New Mexico began 2019 with two new commitments to advancing its ground-breaking work: one of resources, one of involvement.
The Daniels Fund provided a $50,000 grant to The Bridge, continuing its investment in The Bridge’s efforts to support high school student success through Career and Technical Education, cultivating work-based learning opportunities, and building relationships between schools and businesses. The Daniels Fund, established by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, is a private charitable foundation dedicated to making life better for the people of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming through its grants program, scholarship program, and ethics initiative.
This grant aligns with the Daniels Fund priorities for its work in New Mexico and builds upon their role alongside The Bridge in launching the Early College High School movement in the state. This new investment targets support for students in Career and Technical Education pathways, which also facilitate earlier college access and completion, and are available to all Doña Ana County students.
Additionally, The Bridge’s Board of Directors selected April Tate, CFO and Owner of American Document Services, to fill the business-specific board seat vacated by Wanda Mattiace, former Bridge Board Chair and long-time member, who completed her term in 2018. April has a long history of community leadership and contributions through her work with the Mesilla Valley Habitat for Humanity, Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce Conquistadors, Boys and Girls Club, and March for Babies with the March of Dimes. She is also a graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Las Cruces program, which exposes participants to numerous efforts across the community to improve opportunity and quality of life for those who live here.
“The Bridge of Southern New Mexico is a unique organization that recognizes education is key to economically strong youth and families and economic development,” said Tate about her decision to join the organization’s board. “Education is crucial to improving opportunities for our community and lifting individuals out of poverty.”
Building on its now 11thyear, The Bridge continues to pilot and advance innovative solutions for support increasing high school and college completion rates and building the skilled and ready workforce needed for existing businesses and economic development in Doña Ana County. It’s first-of-its-kind comprehensive workforce development plan, aligned to economic development targets, has positioned Doña Ana County at the forefront of advancing solutions to workforce challenges plaguing the state as a whole. Additionally, The Bridge has developed an on-line set of resources for students, families, teachers, and businesses to literally “map” their routes to the education, training, career exploration and employment opportunities they need. To learn more, visit NewMexicoTrueTalent.org.
To learn more about the Daniels Fund, visit DanielsFund.org.
