July 2019 by Border Eco

2019 Educational Summer Camps

CONNECTING SOUTHERN ARIZONA

People that “echo” Rosa Lopez-Merino

Wellness Connections-Dedicated to Service

Masters Diamond Award

Mayor’s Corner-July

Border Eco Updates We want to thank our readers and customers for their continued support. Your support helps us report on the great people, events, and organizations who make a difference in our community. Our goal is to help connect Santa Cruz County. Santa Cruz County is a unique bordertown rich in culture, and traditions. We are here to support our community. Please send us any information on any upcoming community events, meetings, or conferences. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for the latest events, people, and organizations who make a difference in Santa Cruz County. We are always looking for new talent. If you have an interest in sales, journalism, and photography send us your resume at contact@bordereco.com

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2019 Educational Summer Camps

Wellness Connections Dedicated to Service

10 People that “echo” Rosa Lopez-Merino 13 Masters Diamond Award Amado Manriquez 14 Mayor’s Corner-July

Chief Editor: Adriana Romero Student Intern Reporter: Nadia Sandoval Student Intern Reporter: Chris Alcaraz Magazine Graphic Designer Consultant: Adriana Romero Sales Representative: Tony Montanez Information is correct at press time. Check www.bordereco.com for updates. Border Eco, LLC © 2019 copyright all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of Border Eco Magazine is prohibited. Any material produced is the property of Border Eco. Any material published is not necessarily the opinion of Border Eco and will not be held responsible. Border Eco Magazine accepts material from advertisers, clients, readers and various sources which are not necessarily the opinion of Border Eco Magazine in print or on Border Eco websites and will not be held responsible.

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Educational Camps 2019 Robotics Camp 2019 The Summer Robotics Camp was extremely popular among local 3rd through 5th-grade students. A total of 130 campers registered and attended the 5 day, two hour sessions. As the days progressed, the projects got more intricate and increased in their degree of difficulty. The purpose of these camps are to teach students how to design and build robotics while also teaching them about teamwork, cooperation, respect, and communication. Parents were invited to attend as students showcased their robots and competed against other teams. Students were given a robotic kit upon completing their program. The camp T-shirts were sponsored by South 32 Hermosa Project. The instructors Brenda and Carlos Valdez from Zigma Consulting held closing ceremonies on the last day of each of the sessions. These camps were organized and sponsored by the Office of the Santa Cruz County School Superintendent, Alfredo I. Velásquez.

Pharmcamp 2019 U of A Pharmcamp took place this summer at the Santa Cruz Center. The week-long University of Arizona camp was attended by 30 middle school students across the county and was sponsored by Alfredo I. Velásquez, Santa Cruz County School Superintendent. Students had an opportunity to interact with camp counselors who were Gear Up Coaches, NHS graduate Edgar Tavera, and UofA Pharmacy students. Several local high school students volunteered to be camp counselors.The camp was led by Professor Theodore Tong. The goal of the camp was to create career awareness so that students may begin to think of future careers as nurses, doctors and pharmacists. Dr. Tong uses a wide variety of strategies within his lessons. Many of the activities involved hands-on learning experiments in the science labs.

Vib’n Certified Vib’n Certified is a 5-day educational camp that took place at the Santa Cruz Center. A total of 40 campers had an opportunity to do a hands-on approach, which emphasizes a growth mindset and is unique to each individual based on their own real-life experiences and personal ideals. The objective of this educational camp is to prepare young adults to become responsible leaders, mentally and emotionally capable of navigating the unknown experiences that are part of not only the college experience, but life. Vib’n Certified provides access to mentors that intertwine effective knowledge of their field with relationshipbuilding stories and highlights of their professional and personal journeys to find success. Participants graduate our program having gained the skills necessary to better understand their own journey and become leaders full of purposeful intention not only for themselves, but also for their communities.

We wish to thank the Santa Cruz Center, Dr. Stella Perez and her staff for hosting all of our summer camps this summer.We’d like to thank Sodexo for providing meals, Mr. Velasquez and the SCCSSO and Adolescent Wellness for sponsoring the youth educational camps. Our gratitude to Walgreens, Mariposa Community Health Center, and Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital for welcoming field trips. For more information about these educational camps for youth please contact Sandra Davila/ Career Center Liaison- C-CREO, Gear Up Program Santa Cruz County School Superintendent’s Office 2150 N. Congress Drive Suite 107 Nogales, AZ 85621 520-375-7947 sdavila@santacruzcountyaz.gov #4 Pg.

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Wellness Connections started delivering services on a mobile outreach basis beginning in 2007, In 2015 they established their first center-based program in Nogales. It is a non-profit behavioral health organization serving Southeastern Arizona since 2001. Wellness Connections is the only “PeerRun” organization providing recovery support services in this region of the state. Wellness Connections operates five center-based programs under the corporate umbrella of Southeastern AZ Consumer-Run Services, Inc. (SEACRS). Wellness Connections is a “Peer Run” organization. Peer Run organizations are a unique type of behavioral health agency that is founded by, managed by, and services are delivered by peers who have “lived experience” with mental health and/or addiction recovery. #6 Pg.

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It also employs the largest peer workforce in the region, and in fact, having this “lived experience” is one of the requirements for working with our agency. Wellness Connections is also a Trauma-Informed organization, recognizing that trauma plays a significant role in people’s lives and the challenges of living faced by those dealing with mental health and/or substance addiction. They offer a range of services which include peer support, life skills training, health promotion, employment services, substance recovery groups, and reentry mentoring (helping men and women making the transition from incarceration back to the community). The organization was founded by a group of peers in recovery (individuals living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders) in 2001. w w w.bordereco.com

Initial funding and technical support for establishing the programs came through The Community Partnership of Southern AZ, which was the Regional Behavioral Health Authority at that time. It serves adults 18 and over with mental health and/ or substance use disorders, and who are seeking to improve their wellness and quality of living through many of the recovery support services provided by our agency. To be eligible for services, individuals must be enrolled in AZ Complete Health or Banner Health Plans, or Vocational Rehabilitation. People who are not covered by these health plans may still get services on a private pay basis.

The Nogales center presently serves between 60 and 70 individuals who actively participate in their programs. “My role as Program Manager is to oversee and support the dayto-day operations of our Nogales wellness center and team. We are dedicated to providing quality service,” said Rosa Lopez-Merino. The organization employs 46 employees across Southeastern AZ. At the local Nogales center, there are 8 employees.“ Most of our staff is made up of certified Peer Support Specialists who are specially trained in delivering recovery support. Our Peer Support Specialists are essentially in the role of coaches or mentors in recovery, helping others on their unique recovery journeys,” said Program Manager Rosa Lopez Merino. Wellness Connections programs are sustained through health plan contracts, grants, and fundraising efforts.

Community members can help support this program through volunteering to help out with various activities such as answering phones, being a guest speaker, leading a group with a craft or other hobby, grant writing, fundraising, helping with transportation. Wellness Connections welcomes donations of self-care or hygiene items, office supplies, art & craft supplies, etc. Those interested in volunteering may fill out a volunteer application on the website www.wellnessconnections.org. The website also features a Board Member application for anyone who may be interested in serving on Wellness Connections’ governing board. Across the organization, there are approximately a dozen volunteers. The Wellness Center in Nogales currently manages a local coalition the Mental Health Criminal Justice Coalition in Santa Cruz County. The coalition was formed to help bring mental health awareness while working with community partners to connect consumers to the resources they need. w w w.bordereco.com

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This month Border Eco features Rosa Lopez- Merino from Wellness Connections. Ms. Lopez-Merino is not new to the field of behavioral health..She started 10 years-ago working for SEABHS as a driver. She later went to work for Corazon Behavioral Health Services as a family support specialist. Ms. LopezMerino saw an opportunity for professional growth with MIKID as a program manager. Ms. Lopez-Merino is currently working as a program manager for Wellness Connections. She is a certified Recovery Support Specialist with a Certification as Family Support Specialist. The organization has been serving Santa Cruz County since 2015. Wellness Connections is a “Peer Run” organization. In the five months she has been working for Wellness Connections, she has been working with her team to increase the number of participants by 20%.

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“I have an extremely supportive team. I am fortunate to work with an organization that is so supportive they understand the value of teamwork. Wellness Connections empowers not only their employees but also its members to step up in making their own decisions by paving their own path to success. This helps to create a better workplace and culture for all,” said Rosa. According to Rosa LopezMerino her leadership style is one that is positive and collaborative, “I enjoy working with my team and community partners as we all have a common goal, which is to help those who are struggling. I believe it is important to have an open mind. I try to always lead by example. I am open to new ideas and constantly learning from those around me.” “My passion for helping others is what attracted me to work with Wellness Connections. It is an organization that helps individuals in recovery by empowering them to find their full potential. Our program is designed to help our members learn to live healthy and productive lives. We see ourselves w w w.bordereco.com

Rosa was born and raised in Nogales Sonora. In 2008, she became a U.S Citizen. She currently lives in Santa Cruz County with her husband Tomas Lopez and sons Thomas, David and Sebastian Lopez. “My goal is to increase mental health and substance abuse awareness in Santa Cruz County. It is important to make the community aware that recovery is possible. We need to promote advocacy, education, and support for people struggling with these issues, while also including their family members in the process of recovery,” said Ms.LopezMerino.

Rosa Lopez-Merino Program Manager

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Masters Diamond Award Amado Manriquez CENTURY 21 Success Realty is pleased to announce that Century 21 Real Estate LLC recently recognized Amado Manriquez sales affiliate with the office, as a top-producer nationwide when it honored Him with the coveted CENTURY 21ÂŽ Masters Diamond Award. Diamond level status is awarded to a C21ÂŽ sales affiliate who has met minimum sales production of $235,000 or 58 closed transaction sides within a calendar year. The sales affiliate also receives a trophy and a personal invitation to attend the annual CENTURY 21 Top Agent Retreat.

"Amado places his real estate wisdom and passion for life into His everyday business, helping to make clients more comfortable with the real estate transaction as they make what may be the most significant purchase of their lives," said Broker Gabriel Gastelum broker/owner of CENTURY 21 Success Realty "Sales Agent Amado is a valued and trusted real estate resource for the Market Area community and a major contributor to the overall success of CENTURY 21 Office Name and the CENTURY 21 System as a whole."

"It is truly an honor to receive the Masters Diamond Award and be recognized among such talented and dedicated group of real estate sales professionals," said Agent Manriquez. CENTURY 21 Office_ Name is a fullservice brokerage located at 3231 N.Grand Avenue and specializing in Residential Luxury Commercial etc properties in Santa Cruz and Pima Counties.

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A summertime message from the Mayor I hope you are all enjoying our great Nogales weather! With summer here, it is time for BBQ’s, carne asada’s, vacationing with our families and 4th of July parties. Please join us for the annual 4th of July celebration at Fleischer Park from 4:00 to 11:00 PM. This includes the official parade which starts at 10:00 AM at Karam Park to War Memorial Stadium. Independence Day is one of the important days in the history of this country. 4th of July is therefore an important day for the residents of the United States as our country gained its independence on this special day. There is something so powerful about millions of people standing together and representing our country in unity. It has been 6 months now since I’ve been in office and things are moving forward. From improving our streets and roads, addressing the 101 (International Outfall Interceptor) concerns to preparing the 2020 budget because it is imperative that the City remain financially sound for you and your family. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Liza Montiel, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor at 520.287.6571 Events & Happenings: 1. City Hall had a visit from Mark Kelly who is running as as a Democrat for the Senate. He visited with Council Members and met with city employees for a few hours. 2.Congressman, Raul Grijalva, visited City Hall on May 30 and met and chatted with the city staff. He also spoke about the 101 which Rep. Grijalva took Legislative Actions to Fix Nogales International Outfall Interceptor. For me as Mayor of Nogales the Introduction of the Nogales Wastewater Fairness Act is great news for the ratepayers of the City of Nogales. I would like to thank Senator Sinema and McSally as well as Congressman Grijalva and Kirkpatrick for their support and efforts. No longer will the residents of Nogales Arizona have to pay for the treatment of Mexican Sewage.”

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3. On Friday, June 14 was the U.S. Army’s Birthday! This is a special day for the Army, soldiers, veterans and their families to celebrate the day on which the first United States was formedthe Continental Army. Mayor Garino met with some the staff in front of the Jesus M. Cordova Park and ate lunch with the soldiers, students and families. 4. The 2020 Census is here! What is a census and why is it important? Once a decade, America comes together to count every resident in the United States, creating national awareness of the importance of the census and its valuable statistics. The decennial census was first taken in 1790, as mandated by the Constitution. It counts our population and households, providing the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting, and distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds annually to support states, counties and communities’ vital programs — impacting housing, education, transportation, employment, health care and public policy. w w w.bordereco.com

SAVE THE DATE! SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ATTORNEYâ€™S OFFICE Invites you to:

2019 Domestic Violence Official Proclamation, Peace Walk and Candlelight Vigil

This event is open to our community. It will take place on Monday October 7, 2019 at 5:30 pm by the steps of the main entrance to the Santa Cruz County Complex. With this event we are beginning our National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in memory of the victims who have lost their lives due to domestic violence, and in honor of all survivors and their families. We will be providing flameless candles for the participants. For more information contact us at: (520) 375-7780

If you do not agree with violence, please unite with us by participating in the Peace Walk! Paint Your Own Poster or T-Shirt Promoting Peace ce Promoting Non-Violen

YOU HAVE THE POWER!

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Peace Walk Route

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