Senator Mark Boitano Supports New Family Coalition

Agencies Unite to Support Healthy, Loving New Mexico Families
State Senator Mark Boitano Supports New Coalition

State Capitol Event- Sunday, February 7, 2010- Informational booth in Rotunda

Albuquerque, NM February 3, 2010— Non-profit organizations and individuals throughout the state have joined together to form the New Mexico Coalition for Healthy Families. The Coalition is the result of grassroots efforts to unite the state’s family-centered agencies in order to better serve children and families.

State Senator Mark Boitano, who continually champions strong families through legislation he sponsors, congratulates the various groups who work together to improve the lives of children and parents for forming the new coalition. "By coming together, the New Mexico Coalition for Healthy Families will now be able to lend an even louder, stronger and more unified voice to the importance to our society of having strong, supportive families," Senator Boitano said. "Stronger, healthier families are not only important to the family members themselves, but to all of us who benefit from loving families who raise their children to become productive members of society. There are so many cost benefits to society."

New Mexico ranks second highest in the nation for both teenage pregnancies and births to unmarried women, third highest in percent of children in single parent families and fourth highest in percent of children in poverty. New Mexico has approximately a 50% drop out rate of high school students, 6,000 children are abused or neglected every year, over 2,100 live in foster care and over 46,000 live in grandparent-headed households.

The Coalition’s goal is to work toward a state in which every child is safe, healthy, loved and educated and every family member is respected and cared for. The agencies that comprise the Coalition provide education, resources, advocacy and other forms of support to families throughout New Mexico.

Dr. Esther Devall, co-chair of the Coalition, says, “In today’s tough economic times, families face many challenges. Parent-child and couple relationships often deteriorate under stress. The New Mexico Coalition for Healthy Families is dedicated to strengthening all families.”

Members of the Coalition will host a booth during the legislative session at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe on February 7th to provide information and answer questions about the Coalition and its member agencies. Legislators, community leaders and all New Mexicans are invited to learn how the Coalition can assist them.

For a complete list of Coalition members, please contact Esther Devall at 575-646-1185, Hillary Bravo at 505-247-1511, email nmcoalitionforhealthyfamilies@gmail.com, or stop by the Roundhouse booth on February 7th.