Courtesy Photo: At right is NM Community Foundation Director of Community Philanthropy, Denise Gonzales, and Spirit of Hidalgo Founder and Director, Christine Ortiz holding the award.


During a recent visit, Denise Gonzales, Director of Community Philanthropy, presented Christine Ortiz, Founder and Director of SPIRIT of Hidalgo, with a Chispa Award and a check for $7000 to be used for general operating expenses. The award came as a complete surprise to Ortiz and her guests, who were prepared to explain and show support for the programs and services that SPIRIT of Hidalgo provides, thinking they were competing for future funding.

Gonzales announced that SPIRIT of Hidalgo was one of 50 organizations nominated by community leaders across the state. However, she pointed out that this nomination came from someone in a completely different part of the state, which was very different from the other organizations nominated for the award, indicating that SPIRIT is recognized on a state-wide level, despite being one of the smallest organizations recognized. Out of those 50 organizations, SPIRIT of Hidalgo was one of 12 chosen to receive the award.

Ortiz began development of SPIRIT of Hidalgo in 2009 in response to a need for meaningful community service and leadership opportunities for young people, which she identified while working with the Bootheel Youth Association. "So many women and kids were spending time picking up trash or washing cars, instead of working with someone to help them find ways to make a real positive difference and feel better about being a part of their community. A lot of time could be spent developing job skills and self-esteem instead of increasing their feelings of being powerless."

The mission of SPIRIT of Hidalgo is to support, promote, and inspire women and children in Hidalgo County to make a positive difference in their own lives, for their families, and within their communities. SPIRIT currently supports three types of programs – food distribution, women entrepreneurs, and youth leadership. All of the programs have been developed by and are run by women and children, in response to a problem they have identified.

Over the past two years, SPIRIT of Hidalgo distributed over 100,000 lbs of commodities and produce from four sites around Hidalgo County, to an average of 320 families per month, with less than $1000 in cash. Last year, the agency sponsored a team of AmeriCorps members that provided 4,950 hours of service to residents and agencies in Hidalgo County and were awarded $18,265 in scholarships. With a small grant of $2500 to support business and leadership training for women, SPIRIT was able to leverage donations of facilities, food, scholarships, and volunteer hours totaling well over $150,000.

According to Ortiz, the award will be put to good use. "We have good programs with adequate funding to cover the expenses. What we lack is a person that can spend the time to keep it all together and grow to the next level. With a consolidation of our programs into one facility and a regular person on the job, we could open up a lot of opportunities that would increase our ability to support, promote, and inspire women and young people in Hidalgo County."