OUR BEGINNING
Concilio Campesino del Sudoeste began in San Miguel, New Mexico in the year 1972. Translated our organization name is Council for Farm Workers of the Southwest and started in order to address the needs of the farm worker population. There was a council formed nationwide with four to the corresponding regions— Council of the Southwest, the Southeast, the Northwest and Northeast. Concilio CDS Inc. is the only of the four nationwide councils to still be active.
Concilio CDS Inc. now has expanded in serving seniors, youth, families, migrant and seasonal farm workers, veterans, immigrants and a large percent of people who are Spanish speakers or bilingual by addressing health disparities, economic crisis, poverty, education, hunger and other areas through community volunteerism.
We utilize an intergenerational approach, recruiting volunteers of all ages to help each other to build community because we believe everyone has something to give and that together we can build community, make it stronger, and make a difference through volunteerism.
Get in touch
We at Concilio CDS Inc. are always excited to have new volunteers, partners, and collaborations!
CONTINUOUSLY GROWING
Building partnerships
Making Connections
community members of all ages follow an intergenerational civic-engagement approach in volunteering to strengthen the community they live in; volunteers focus on personal motivations and passions.
◦ Everyone has something to give
◦ Everyone’s time is valuable, and
◦ We all need strong social networks in order to thrive.
Concept focuses on reciprocity
Builds community by creating open-ended cycles of giving and receiving that are based on the “pay it forward” principle and that deepen and grow over time.
Recognition
CONCILIO CDS INC. was the recipient of the 2012 - Volunteers Matter: NASUAD Excellence in Volunteer Services Award presented by The National Association for States United for Aging & Disabilities (NASUAD). Concilio CDS Inc. demonstrated innovations in 1) Promoting intergenerational interaction 2) Incorporating Baby Boomers as volunteers 3) Including Veterans as volunteers or recipients 4) Creative strategies for recruitment and retention of volunteers of varying backgrounds, and abilities. Also, in 2013, Gino Rinaldi, Cabinet Secretary with the NM Aging and Long Term Services Department recognized Concilio CDS Inc.’s efforts to eliminate poverty through Civic Engagement (voluntarism).
taking action
CONCILIO CDS INC. was selected to head the Governor’s Pilot program for the Aging and Long-Term Services Department – Engage NM – a Multi-Generational Civic Engagement Initiative in the state of New Mexico that was part of a 3-part member entity along with the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque, NM launching a Bi-National Initiative with “Ventanilla de Salud” Project for the State assisting Mexican immigrants receiving health education, resources and referral for medical services with a goal of eliminating health disparities among the Mexican Border communities.