Otero County Giving It 100% and More
Our dedicated 100% Otero initiative leaders, Peg Crim and Lisa Yehle, took a few minutes to speak to us while preparing for the upcoming 100% Otero Summit on February 8th. As you will see, there's much to get ready for.
by Dominic Cappello
January 22, 2024
Question: Why did you initiate the 100% New Mexico initiative?
Peg Crim & Lisa Yehle: The impactful story of Anna, Age Eight sparked the 100% New Mexico initiative among Otero’s stakeholders. Recognizing the need for concerted efforts, the initiative aims to ensure that all children have the opportunity to grow up in a safe, healthy, and supportive environment. Inspired by a shared commitment to children’s well-being, the initiative was launched to address systemic challenges and create positive change in the community.
Question: What are the biggest challenges you want the 100% initiative to address in your county?
Peg Crim & Lisa Yehle: The 100% County Survey revealed many barriers among ten service areas. The primary challenge lies in housing inadequacies. The shortage of affordable housing, transitional housing, and treatment centers for substance misuse poses a significant barrier. The initiative is dedicated to tackling these challenges head-on, focusing on developing solutions that enhance housing options and support systems for individuals facing substance misuse and behavioral health issues.
Question: What opportunities and innovations do you want to explore through the initiative?
Peg Crim & Lisa Yehle: Over the past three-plus years, the initiative has been actively addressing barriers to accessing vital services. Notably, a symposium is planned to gather stakeholders and resources to address housing and homelessness issues. The initiative aims to foster collaboration among experts in housing needs and resources, initiating a process to meet the county’s pressing needs. Additionally, the exploration of a Family Resource Center: One-Stop Service Hub is underway, envisioning a comprehensive hub for community resources to streamline support services for surviving and thriving.
Question: What are the goals of the summit?
Peg Crim & Lisa Yehle: The 100% Otero Summit is scheduled for Thursday, February 8th, 2024. The goals of the summit are multifaceted. Attendees will engage in a day of fun, learning, sharing, connecting, and strategic planning. The summit aims to elevate the county’s understanding of childhood trauma, the 100% Otero initiative, the ten vital services, and the proposed 100% Family Resource Center. The overarching objective is to leave participants invigorated and equipped with exciting plans for the future, fostering a collective commitment to the 100% Otero initiative’s goals.
Learn more and register for the 100% Otero Summit on February 8, 2024. All interested parties both inside Otero County and all New Mexico are encouraged to attend.
Peg Crim
Lisa Yehle
Retirees and neighbors, Peg Crim and Lisa Yehle, founded 100% Otero in 2020 after reading Anna, Age Eight and knowing they needed to help children like Anna. Co-leading 100% Otero has been a gratifying experience. They have enjoyed working with caring community members and learning a lot in the process. The support from all parts of our county has been fantastic. Lisa comes from a background in education and the nonprofit world, serving 39 years as a speech-language pathologist and currently as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for children in foster care. Peg retired from the US Forest Service where she worked in timber, fire, recreation, partnerships, and community outreach and now enjoys participating in community service projects with the White Sands Rotary Club.
Dominic Cappello
Cappello is a New York Times bestselling author and TEDx Conference curator with decades of experience advocating for health, safety and education. He has a Master of Arts in Liberal studies with an emphasis on Language and Communication from Regis University. He worked for the New Mexico Department of Health Epidemiology and Response Division and the New Mexico Child Protective Services Research, Assessment and Data Bureau, where he co-developed the Data Leader for Child Welfare program, which he implemented in New York City, Connecticut and New Mexico.
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The 100% New Mexico initiative is a program of the Anna, Age Eight Institute at New Mexico State University, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service. Contact: annaageeight@nmsu.edu or visit annaageeight.nmsu.edu to learn more.
