Photo courtesy of Southwest Region Migrant Education Program The SRMEP hosted migrant families for the holiday season. The staff includes, left to right, seated, Reyna Martinez, Esmeralda Martinez, Edgar Martinez; standing, Jennifer Molina, Minga Francisco, Marisa Aguilar, Matias Francisco, Shanda Taylor and Delsa Chavez.

ALAMOSA—This year, the Southwest Region Migrant Education Program (MEP) provided gifts to nearly 300 children and parents through its Adopt A Migrant Family for the holidays initiative. “Our hearts are filled with joy and appreciation for all the continued support from numerous sponsors making this event so successful.  Every year we look forward to this event as it supplements some of the needs of our families, said Esmeralda Martinez, director of Southwest Region Migrant Education Program.”
 
Sponsors included:    
Zapata Seed Company, Trinchera Ranch, Alamosa State Bank, Blanca Potato, Armando Valdez, Natalie Rogers, Quality Home Inspection & Electric, Weiss Dry Cleaner, Mountain King, Conejos County Dept. of Social Services, Tijerina’s Trucking, Post Commissary, High Altitude Convenience, Monte Vista Cooperative, Valley Realty & Investments, Elizabeth Hensley, Marco Polo, SLV Immigration Resource Center, Monte Vista Fire Department, Frontier Bank, Morgan Dockson, Subway, Colorado State Patrol Troop 1,2,3, City of Alamosa, Colorado Department of Transportation, Wash Tub Laundry, Mat, Renae D Haslett, AmeriGas, Karla Hardesty, Don Thomas Bakery, K-2 Alamosa Elementary School, 3-5 Alamosa Elementary School, ASU CAMP, Flawless Construction, Sierra Blanca Medical Center, CDE Leadership Team, Office of Migrant Education, CDE, Convenient Care , Moffat Family Health Center, Tomas Mejia, Valley-Wide Call Center, SLV Medical Clinic managers, Feed Store Church, Rio Grande National Service, BLM Monte Vista , Alejandro & Cristal Enriquez, Eric Carpio, Ed Medina, Kirby Deherrera / Simona Guillen, Ed & Catherine Medina, Valley-Wide, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Energy Resource Center, Theresa Valdez, Finance Team Valley-Wide, VWHS executive team, Maria Perez DeLeon, CIA – Leavitt Insurance Agency, Valley-Wide Dental Team, Health Info. Management Systems, Edward M. Kennedy Health Clinic
“We are extremely grateful and feel fortunate to receive support from so many agencies, community members, and volunteers who continue to participate in this initiative year after year,” said Martinez. She also appreciates her Adams State MEP staff including Shanda Taylor, Reyna Martinez, Edgar Martinez, Matias Francisco, Marisa Aguilar, and Minga Francisco-Miguel, Jennifer Molina, Simona Guillen, Delsa Gomez, Jasmine Gonzalez and Bradley Tijerina. “They worked diligently to ensure the event was a success,” Martinez added.
This year, the Southwest Region Migrant Education Program served a yearly estimate of up to 620 students, aged birth-22, from 23 school districts in the San Luis Valley and Southwest Colorado. The program connects families of seasonal agricultural workers with community resources, monitors children’s achievements, and provides continuity as they change school districts.
The Southwest Region Migrant Education Program is located on the Adams State University campus at the southeast corner of Second St. and Richardson Ave. To learn more about the Southwest Region Migrant Education program, or to refer a family who may benefit from services, contact: Shanda Taylor at 719-587-7612 or Esmeralda Martinez at 719-587-7635.