About The New Mexico Coalition for Literacy
General Information

The NMCL encourages and supports community-based literacy programs and is the New Mexico affiliate and coordinator for the national program of ProLiteracy America, overseeing certification and coordination of its volunteer, tutor trainers.

The NMCL's core projects include operation of a statewide, toll-free referral, recruitment, and information hotline sponsored by New Mexico's ABC affiliate, KOAT-TV; administration of the State of New Mexico Literacy Program Appropriation; operation of the New Mexico Literacy Resource Center, as designated by the U.S. Department of Education; and operation of a Literacy Training and Technical Assistance Program providing development opportunities to community-based literacy projects in a wide range of program areas.

Since its inception in 1987, more than twenty new literacy projects have been established in New Mexico.  The NMCL conducts an annual survey of literacy programs to assess program needs and trends and maintains a statewide directory of adult education and literacy programs. Currently, the NMCL is serving the following communities.

The NMCL depends upon private donations as well as government funding to conduct its wide ranging development activities.  A Board of Directors serves to keep the NMCL in the forefront of literacy program development.   The NMCL enjoys the bipartisan support of state's Governor and Legislature. The NMCL works with the New Mexico Departments of Labor and Corrections, the Higher Education Department , and the Public Education Department. The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and State Library have designated the NMCL as the sole provider of statewide literacy coordination and program enhancement activities.

NMCL Staff




Heather Heunermund
Executive Director

Heather joined the NMCL in May of 2001 and has served in many capacities within the organization throughout the years. She follows in the footsteps of the fearless leaders who came before her, carrying forth the mission, stewardship, and accountability of these predecessors. An advocate for student-centered program management and service, she demonstrates this belief by having served on boards and with student leadership groups at the collegiate level. Heather holds a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from St. John's College (the "Great Books Program") and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the College of Santa Fe (CSF). She also holds a Master's degree in Education with an emphasis in Community Counseling from CSF. Heather completed her clinical work with at-risk youth and their families and she currently volunteers as a grief facilitator for youth. While at the NMCL, she continues her work in service to at-risk populations. Heather spends her free time with her beloved felines, dogs, and husband, Jonathan Haack - devoted Math teacher.
 
 

 

Amy Jo Sandoval
Financial Manager

Amy Jo joined the NMCL in May of 2010 and has over thirty years of experience in the financial field. She owned AJS Accounting Services for over ten years, where she provided financial and computer services to several different entities. She also worked for a local CPA for over fourteen years. In fact, this was the start of her fascination in the professional field of numbers. Born in Santa Fe, Amy Jo enjoys being in New Mexico's beauiful outdoors and riding motorcycles with her husband. She has a son at UNM who is studying to be an electrical engineer. Amy also has five step children and five grandchildren! She has been enjoying her work with the NMCL as the steward of its finances.
 




Ellen Gallegos
Office Manager &
Events Coordinator


Ellen joined the NMCL in July of 2009 and brought with her thirty years of administrative/executive and front office experience. As an administrative assistant, Ellen was employed with Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) for over ten years where she worked closely with the State of New Mexico Medicaid Project. She also worked as a membership coordinator for the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and is very well versed in the fundraising aspect of a nonprofit organization. Ellen has also taken it upon herself to volunteer at several nonprofit organizations. Recently, she volunteered for the Bandstand on the Plaza selling raffle tickets and schmoozing with tourists and locals. Ellen was born and raised in Santa Fe and is from a very large family, of which she is the youngest of thirteen siblings. She has raised one daughter but is not yet a grandma, which she feels would be the ultimate in life's adventures.
     
 
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
Board Members  






NMCL
  Board Members



Edward Hakim Bellamy, Strategic Communications Director, Media Literacy Project, Albuquerque
Rosina Boyd, President, Chief of Staff, Minority Leadership Office (Retired), Santa Fe
Karen Bryan, School Administrator, (Retired), Silver City
Richard Cervantes, Past President, Higher Education Administrator, New Mexico Tech (Socorro), Albuquerque
Dr. J.R. Damron, Physician, Medical Staff, UNM (ABQ),
Santa Fe
Bruce Donisthorpe, Business Consultant, Albuquerque
Marie Garcia-Shaffner, Superintendent (retired),
Los Lunas
Rev. Trey Hammond, La Mesa Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque
Ellen Harbaugh, Secretary, Carlsbad Public Library (Retired), Carlsbad
Lewis Lamar, Treasurer, Insurance General Agent, TCF Solutions, Albuquerque
Charletta Larranaga, Educator (Retired), Albuquerque

Porfie Maldonado, Business Owner, Albuquerque
Betty Miller, Vice President, Educator (Retired), Tijeras
Sherry Morrison, Stock Brokerage Operations Manager, Santa Fe
Geum Sook Park Kim, Educator, Albuquerque
Gary Pierson, Real Estate, Albuquerque
JoAnn Salome, Human Resources Director, New Mexico Tech, Socorro
Thelma Sordyl, Business Teacher (retired), Silver City
Ex officio Member:
First Gentleman Chuck Franco, Santa Fe
Advisory Council:
Elba Garcia Burke, Las Cruces
Dr. Janet Green, Las Cruces
Dr. David O'Brien , Las Cruces
Dorothy Redd, Roswell
Shelly Ribando, Albuquerque
Heather Wilson, Albuquerque
Honor Council:
Alma Green, Socorro
 
 
 
 
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For information contact:
Heather Heunermund, Executive Director
New Mexico Coalition for Literacy
3209 Mercantile Ct., Suite B
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Tel: 505-982-3997
Toll Free: 1-800-233-7587
Fax.: 505-982-4095  		  
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