Doña Ana Resilience Leaders was established in Spring of 2017 after a series of facilitated public events called “Great Conversations” with community members focused on childhood trauma and the reading of the book Anna, Age Eight: The data-driven prevention of childhood trauma and maltreatment. A series of questions were asked and pondered: Are we numb to maltreatment? Should it matter what zip code you live in when it comes to access to vital family services? Whose job it is to ensure families have access to the vital services for surviving and thriving?

Leaders from ten sectors identified in the book (called the ten vital services for surviving and thriving) were convened at Las Cruces City Hall by council member Kasandra Gandara to explore interest in following the recommendations in Anna, Age Eight, primarily mobilizing to ensure ten vital services.

The group established the public face of Dona Ana Resilience Leaders, a monthly structure for meeting, ten action teams (each one focused on a service sector), and action plan and committed to meet in person once a month to see the action plan implemented. Resilience Leaders consists of representatives from over 50 agencies service county residents, and a core group of 40 plus community stakeholders committed to working in a collective and cross-sector way to reduce adverse childhood experiences and trauma by ensuring 100% of families have access to vital services.