Doña  Ana Communities United
May 2017 Newsletter

In this issue we share exciting updates on our new space, recent work with community partners, and upcoming events including our summer fundraiser

We continue to work with community members and policy makers to advance health equity in Doña Ana County by addressing institutional inequities and building community. Do let us know if you have ideas for collaborating with us.  (Since we are still moving into our new space, please give us a heads up before stopping by!)

Warmly, 
Kari and Parisa

DACU Director 
Kari Bachman 
575-496-4330

DACU Outreach Coordinator 
Parisa Shirazi 
575-323-1252

Upcoming DACU Events

DACU Team Meeting
May 25th | 11:30 am - 1pm
DACU office
151 S Walnut St. Unit  B13

Timebank Potluck 
May 27th | 12 - 3 pm 
DACU office 
151 S Walnut St. Unit B13

Dialogue About Alternative
Economic Models
May 28th | 11 am - 1 pm
Mountain View Market Co+op
Community Room
1300 El Paseo Rd. Suite M

Timebank Orientation 
June 2nd | 5:30 - 7 pm 
DACU office 
151 S Walnut St. Unit B13 

DACU Fundraiser 
June 29th | 6 - 8:30 pm
Peace Lutheran Church
1701 Missouri Ave.

You'll find directions to our new office at the  bottom of this newsletter.
DACU Open House
Thank you to all who joined us for our open house potluck at our new office.
 
We had the privilege of hosting over 40 guests!

W e are so excited to have a new space to gather with you. Our new office  provides us with two offices and a larger room that we can use for DACU meetings and events.  Let us know your ideas for how we can utilize this space to build community! 

Photos by Robert Yee
Community members arrive to the open house.

Beloved Community members reflect on the mural they helped create. 

Community members engage in group activity.

Photos by Robert Yee
Guests paint their visions for street murals.

Service Donations Needed! 
Mark you calendars! We are holding our second DACU fundraiser on Thursday, June 29th from 6 to 8:30 pm at Peace Lutheran Church. Building on the success of our December event , we are organizing another  auction of innovative services.  You can help by donating a service! Here are some ideas: 

- Leading a bike tour or hike
- Washing or detailing a car
- Teaching how to cook a cultural meal
- Providing translation services

You can view the list of services featured at our last fundraiser here, and we can also help brainstorm ideas that incorporate your unique talents. Please contact  Parisa  if you are interested.

Connecting Across the Border
Ten timebank members from Ciudad Juárez currently participate in the sharing economy with our 120+ members in Doña Ana County. May 27-28, three of them--Carolina, Juan José, and Diana--are coming to Las Cruces! You can meet them at our monthly timebank potluck on the 27th from 12 to 3 pm, which will also include a collaborative art project.

The following day, join us from 11 am to 1 pm at Mountain View Market Co+op to discuss alternative economic models. Our Juárez members  have been engaging with alternative economics for some time now and have a lot to teach us.

Other activities for the weekend are still being planned and will be publicized shortly. We can't wait to host our Mexican colleagues!

At lunch with Carolina and Pablo in Ju árez.

Collaborative Mural on Belonging 
DACU joined forces with the Beloved Community, a group that works with young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to create a collaborative mural.   This traveling mural was created with the  visionary help of two local artists, Niko Radtke and Saba.

The City of Las Cruces Network Volunteer Center and Thrivent Financial generously funded this project with $250 through their Inspire to Service Initiative. We were also featured in the latest issue of the City Manager's  Weekly Newsletter

We plan to showcase our mural throughout the county to share the message of belonging and togetherness. Please let us know if you would like to display it free of charge at your site or event: it is lightweight and easy to transport. The mural will make its next appearance at the Border Servant Corps 20th anniversary event on May 19th!

Beloved Community members create stencils with Niko's help at Saba's Barricade Culture Shop.

DACU member Stanley Smith spray paints feather stencils.

Artists Saba and Niko explain the creative process.
 
The beautiful product of our collaboration!

Directions to Our Office: 

151 S Walnut St. Unit B13 map

We are located at the corner of Walnut and Griggs, in the Walnut Business Park. Our  office is w alking distance from bus routes 6 and 7. 




Doña Ana Communities United (DACU) builds the capacity of communities to develop and implement policies and community-based solutions that improve social, economic, and environmental conditions that shape health and life opportunities. We work to advance health equity in Doña Ana County by addressing institutional inequities related to geography, class, gender, and race. 

We are conducting two main projects. Through the social equity mapping project, undervalued community members explore their neighborhoods and work with local decision makers to develop policies that advance health equity. Participants in the hOurTime timebank build social cohesion and practice an equitable form of alternative economics as they exchange services with each other.