In 2019, as stories of family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border captured national attention, communities across the country responded in solidarity. In Northern New Mexico, Las Cumbres Community Services began building Santuario del Corazón—a trauma-responsive program created to support unaccompanied children and the caregivers who stepped up to care for them.
What began as an emergency effort has since evolved into a network of holistic, community-based support for immigrant and refugee families across the region. And now, with a generous gift from 100 Women Who Care Santa Fe, that network is growing stronger.
This collective of women—committed to giving collaboratively and with intention—recently voted to support Las Cumbres’ Immigrant and Refugee Welcome Center in Santa Fe. Their contribution helps keep the space running: providing warmth, consistency, and dignity for families navigating uncertain terrain.
The Welcome Center, originally created to support Afghan women through income-generating programs like sewing and catering, has grown into a community hub for newcomers from all over the world. Many families arrive with few belongings, navigating new systems, languages, and environments. At the Center, they find a walk-in space where food, supplies, mental health services, and cultural connection are available—no appointment, no paperwork required.
The support from 100 Women Who Care Santa Fe helps sustain both the basics—groceries, hygiene items, utilities—and the deeper work of welcoming and belonging. It says to families who have fled war, persecution, and hardship: You are seen. You are valued. You are welcome.
Las Cumbres’ immigrant and refugee programs now include three key initiatives: Santuario del Corazón (SDC), Walking in Grace with Survivors (WINGS), and Support for Trauma-Affected Refugees (STAR). Together, these programs form a flexible safety net that uplifts the strength, resilience, and cultural richness of newcomer families.
With the support of partners like 100 Women Who Care Santa Fe, that net continues to grow—woven from compassion, solidarity, and the shared belief that everyone deserves a place to heal and belong.