Models of Hope Winners
2006 Models of Hope Honorees
Lisa Moore
Community Honoree
Lisa C. Moore is the founder and editor of RedBone Press, which publishes work celebrating the culture of black lesbians and gay men and promoting understanding between black gays and lesbians and the black mainstream. Moore is the editor of does your mama know? An Anthology of Black Lesbian Coming Out Stories, and co-editor of Spirited: Affirming the Soul and Black Gay/Lesbian Identity. Most recently, RedBone Press published Blood Beats: Vol. 2, film and music criticism by PEN Award-winner Ernest Hardy; reprinted In the Life: A Black Gay Anthology and Brother to Brother: New Writings by Black Gay Men; and co-published (with Vintage Entity Press) Carry the Word: A Bibliography of Black LGBTQ Books. Moore is board president of Fire & Ink, an advocacy organization for LGBT writers of African descent.
Photo © 2009 by Michael-Christopher
C.C. Carter
Community Honoree
C.C. Carter earned her MA in Creative Writing from Queens College, NY and is the Women's Component Director of A Real Read's Performance Ensemble. Since the ensemble's formation she has performed in all of their productions, both locally and nationally. C.C. also designed costuming for A Real Read presents A Real Read, Love Can Sometimes Be..., Home For The Holidays, and the Milwaukee debut of Comin' Straight At'Cha. She has opened for Sharon Bridgforth's Root Wy'mn at the Randolph Street Art Gallery, played MC in Larry Duckett's We Heard The Night Outside at the Bailiwick Repertory, at The Lammies Literary Book Review Awards, and was the opening act for BGM recording artist Nedrea Johnson
C.C's poetry and prose has been published into two chapbooks and included in various anthologies. Since winning the Lambda Book Review's first Poetry Slam in Washington DC, she has twice been selected as the featured artist in New York City Poetry Reader's Series for In Our Own Write and Realness and Rhythms. CC. is the recipient of the Guild Complex's Fifth Annual Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Poetry award. She was featured in Venus Magazine as one of Chicago's Leading Ladies.
Community Honoree
Lisa C. Moore is the founder and editor of RedBone Press, which publishes work celebrating the culture of black lesbians and gay men and promoting understanding between black gays and lesbians and the black mainstream. Moore is the editor of does your mama know? An Anthology of Black Lesbian Coming Out Stories, and co-editor of Spirited: Affirming the Soul and Black Gay/Lesbian Identity. Most recently, RedBone Press published Blood Beats: Vol. 2, film and music criticism by PEN Award-winner Ernest Hardy; reprinted In the Life: A Black Gay Anthology and Brother to Brother: New Writings by Black Gay Men; and co-published (with Vintage Entity Press) Carry the Word: A Bibliography of Black LGBTQ Books. Moore is board president of Fire & Ink, an advocacy organization for LGBT writers of African descent.
Photo © 2009 by Michael-Christopher
C.C. Carter
Community Honoree
C.C. Carter earned her MA in Creative Writing from Queens College, NY and is the Women's Component Director of A Real Read's Performance Ensemble. Since the ensemble's formation she has performed in all of their productions, both locally and nationally. C.C. also designed costuming for A Real Read presents A Real Read, Love Can Sometimes Be..., Home For The Holidays, and the Milwaukee debut of Comin' Straight At'Cha. She has opened for Sharon Bridgforth's Root Wy'mn at the Randolph Street Art Gallery, played MC in Larry Duckett's We Heard The Night Outside at the Bailiwick Repertory, at The Lammies Literary Book Review Awards, and was the opening act for BGM recording artist Nedrea Johnson
C.C's poetry and prose has been published into two chapbooks and included in various anthologies. Since winning the Lambda Book Review's first Poetry Slam in Washington DC, she has twice been selected as the featured artist in New York City Poetry Reader's Series for In Our Own Write and Realness and Rhythms. CC. is the recipient of the Guild Complex's Fifth Annual Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Poetry award. She was featured in Venus Magazine as one of Chicago's Leading Ladies.
2007 Models of Hope Honoree
Pat Baillie
Community Honoree
Pat Baillie joined Out & Equal in January 2008 after retiring the second time in her career from Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Prior to that, she served in the US Air Force retiring in 1993 as a Major. Her entire career has been involved with training, adult education, and activism and she is ready to pull all those parts of her history together at Out & Equal to make a difference for those in the workplace. Pat graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Master's Degree in Physical Education, Biology and Psychology. After college, she joined the Air Force and worked as a Weapons Controller and Space Operations officer. She was also active in LGBT causes her entire career and decided to retire on the day that President Clinton announced "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." She was then able to publicly come out and was the featured speaker at the Veteran's Day memorial in Sacramento, California in 1993. She has also worked extensively with sexual freedom issue as a spokesperson and educator and has work on national grass roots organizing. In Albuquerque, Pat worked within Honeywell on their Diversity Council and was asked to present on LGBT issues at the statewide EEOC conferences as well as being the only "out" employee that could be a resource. She also helped to grow the local and statewide LGBT community as the Co-President of Albuquerque Pride for over 10 years. She continued to be involved in community events from political to social until she realized she was ready to return to California. Her goal was to work in a non-profit on LGBT issues. Out & Equal added to that the ability to use her years of training experience so in December 2007, Pat moved back to California. She now is setting up house in San Jose and creating a family with a long time friend and now roommate. Their plans are to foster at risk teens and maybe adopt. She has moved back near family and is jumping back into skiing, softball, and taking up soccer when not commuting. She is getting used to being a Californian again but loving that she is back home.
Community Honoree
Pat Baillie joined Out & Equal in January 2008 after retiring the second time in her career from Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Prior to that, she served in the US Air Force retiring in 1993 as a Major. Her entire career has been involved with training, adult education, and activism and she is ready to pull all those parts of her history together at Out & Equal to make a difference for those in the workplace. Pat graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Master's Degree in Physical Education, Biology and Psychology. After college, she joined the Air Force and worked as a Weapons Controller and Space Operations officer. She was also active in LGBT causes her entire career and decided to retire on the day that President Clinton announced "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." She was then able to publicly come out and was the featured speaker at the Veteran's Day memorial in Sacramento, California in 1993. She has also worked extensively with sexual freedom issue as a spokesperson and educator and has work on national grass roots organizing. In Albuquerque, Pat worked within Honeywell on their Diversity Council and was asked to present on LGBT issues at the statewide EEOC conferences as well as being the only "out" employee that could be a resource. She also helped to grow the local and statewide LGBT community as the Co-President of Albuquerque Pride for over 10 years. She continued to be involved in community events from political to social until she realized she was ready to return to California. Her goal was to work in a non-profit on LGBT issues. Out & Equal added to that the ability to use her years of training experience so in December 2007, Pat moved back to California. She now is setting up house in San Jose and creating a family with a long time friend and now roommate. Their plans are to foster at risk teens and maybe adopt. She has moved back near family and is jumping back into skiing, softball, and taking up soccer when not commuting. She is getting used to being a Californian again but loving that she is back home.
2008 Models of Hope Honoree
Brian Brown
Community Honoree
Community Honoree
2009 Models of Hope Honorees
Joy Silver
Community Honoree
Joy Silver is responsible for the creation of the RainbowVision. Creating GLBT communities has been a goal of hers for 27 years. Joy’s experience includes 25 years in the music business, resort management and women's reproductive services. She was a member of the SAGE Sub-Committee for Senior Housing in NYC, is currently a board member of the GLBT Historical Society and is a member of LGAIN (Lesbian Gay Aging Issues Network) at American Society for Aging. Joy is active in a number of organizations including Equality New Mexico and is frequently called upon by LGBT and mainstream organizations to present information on LGBT seniors. Joy holds an MA in Women’s Studies, and a BA in Political Science. "Enlightened self interest", a term that comes from her mentor, Merle Hoffman, "continues to inspire and energize my involvement in the creation and development of RainbowVision Communities." RainbowVision is the culmination of many LGBT seniors' dreams: Where do we go, who will take care of us, will we be safe....these are the questions that Joy asked of herself and so many others ask. Joy believes that we must be the change we want to see in ourselves and the world.
Alison Bock
Community Honoree
In today's world, sometimes it seems intimidating to stand up and make a difference. That feeling was no different for Alison Bock, founder and president of the nongovernmental organization Landmines Blow!, when she attended the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-free World in November 2004. "When we attended [the summit] it was the first time I met real landmine survivors from everywhere," says Bock. "I was overwhelmed at how many people needed help and wondered how I could really make a difference because the problem was so huge and we were so small." But in the mine-action community, this defeatist attitude is not an option. "Then I met a landmine survivor from Cambodia who told me to focus on making a difference in the life of one person at a time. You can make a difference in one life. So I did, and the rest, as they say, is history." Bock's selflessness is only amplified more by her determination to continue her work, even in the face of her own personal battles. In 2005, Bock was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. The day after Bock was diagnosed with the disease, she helped fly a young Croatian landmine victim and his brother from Zagreb to a music camp for the blind in New Orleans. Bock also wants to make strides in advocating for women's rights. She is also the creator of Project Safe Water started in 2006.
Community Honoree
Joy Silver is responsible for the creation of the RainbowVision. Creating GLBT communities has been a goal of hers for 27 years. Joy’s experience includes 25 years in the music business, resort management and women's reproductive services. She was a member of the SAGE Sub-Committee for Senior Housing in NYC, is currently a board member of the GLBT Historical Society and is a member of LGAIN (Lesbian Gay Aging Issues Network) at American Society for Aging. Joy is active in a number of organizations including Equality New Mexico and is frequently called upon by LGBT and mainstream organizations to present information on LGBT seniors. Joy holds an MA in Women’s Studies, and a BA in Political Science. "Enlightened self interest", a term that comes from her mentor, Merle Hoffman, "continues to inspire and energize my involvement in the creation and development of RainbowVision Communities." RainbowVision is the culmination of many LGBT seniors' dreams: Where do we go, who will take care of us, will we be safe....these are the questions that Joy asked of herself and so many others ask. Joy believes that we must be the change we want to see in ourselves and the world.
Alison Bock
Community Honoree
In today's world, sometimes it seems intimidating to stand up and make a difference. That feeling was no different for Alison Bock, founder and president of the nongovernmental organization Landmines Blow!, when she attended the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-free World in November 2004. "When we attended [the summit] it was the first time I met real landmine survivors from everywhere," says Bock. "I was overwhelmed at how many people needed help and wondered how I could really make a difference because the problem was so huge and we were so small." But in the mine-action community, this defeatist attitude is not an option. "Then I met a landmine survivor from Cambodia who told me to focus on making a difference in the life of one person at a time. You can make a difference in one life. So I did, and the rest, as they say, is history." Bock's selflessness is only amplified more by her determination to continue her work, even in the face of her own personal battles. In 2005, Bock was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. The day after Bock was diagnosed with the disease, she helped fly a young Croatian landmine victim and his brother from Zagreb to a music camp for the blind in New Orleans. Bock also wants to make strides in advocating for women's rights. She is also the creator of Project Safe Water started in 2006.
2010 Models of Hope Honorees
Virginia Stephenson
Community Honoree
Virginia Stephenson has worked in education and advocacy for LGBT people for 12 years. She is the founding director of New Mexico GAIN, a transgender rights organization, and the founder of Soulforce NM. In 2003, she was a lobbyist for the Coalition for Equality, and worked with the NM State legislature to see the passage of the non-discrimination Bill and hate crimes bill, both which included protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. She has served as a director of PFLAG Albuquerque and for Equality New Mexico, also serving as the executive director for EQNM. Most recently, she is traveling to conferences around the nation, teaching workshops on subjects relating to transgender rights and spiritual consciousness. Her first book is scheduled for publication this year, written with Buck Rhodes, concerning the allegorical interpretation of the Bible and the raising of consciousness through the experiential knowledge of sacred texts. Her life mission is to “speed the spiritual consciousness of the world away from patriarchal control and toward a partnership of understanding between nationalities, ethnicities and genders.” This beautiful woman is making a different in the GLBT community.
Dan Johnson
Community Honoree
Johnson is a major player when it comes to supporting the GLBT community. Owner of Sidewinders, he has made it a mission to keep the community informed of events whether he is directly involved with them or not. His endless generosity has spread through such groups and organizations as New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association, Equality New Mexico, United Court of the Sandias, Albuquerque Pride and Models of Hope.
You will be missed, Dan!
Roberto Appicciafoco
Community Honoree
Founder and Director of The Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Appicciafoco is getting ready to launch the eighth year of showcasing the latest in gay cinema. Appicciafoco enjoys travelling around the country working film festivals to see what’s new in film, which also leads him to meet new people. Although Appicciafoco’s drive is one reason for the festival’s staying power, he attributes the success of the festival to the diversity of New Mexico itself. "The expansion to Santa Fe showed that there really is a strong GLBT presence in New Mexico and a real interest in issues affecting our community."
Community Honoree
Virginia Stephenson has worked in education and advocacy for LGBT people for 12 years. She is the founding director of New Mexico GAIN, a transgender rights organization, and the founder of Soulforce NM. In 2003, she was a lobbyist for the Coalition for Equality, and worked with the NM State legislature to see the passage of the non-discrimination Bill and hate crimes bill, both which included protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. She has served as a director of PFLAG Albuquerque and for Equality New Mexico, also serving as the executive director for EQNM. Most recently, she is traveling to conferences around the nation, teaching workshops on subjects relating to transgender rights and spiritual consciousness. Her first book is scheduled for publication this year, written with Buck Rhodes, concerning the allegorical interpretation of the Bible and the raising of consciousness through the experiential knowledge of sacred texts. Her life mission is to “speed the spiritual consciousness of the world away from patriarchal control and toward a partnership of understanding between nationalities, ethnicities and genders.” This beautiful woman is making a different in the GLBT community.
Dan Johnson
Community Honoree
Johnson is a major player when it comes to supporting the GLBT community. Owner of Sidewinders, he has made it a mission to keep the community informed of events whether he is directly involved with them or not. His endless generosity has spread through such groups and organizations as New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association, Equality New Mexico, United Court of the Sandias, Albuquerque Pride and Models of Hope.
You will be missed, Dan!
Roberto Appicciafoco
Community Honoree
Founder and Director of The Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Appicciafoco is getting ready to launch the eighth year of showcasing the latest in gay cinema. Appicciafoco enjoys travelling around the country working film festivals to see what’s new in film, which also leads him to meet new people. Although Appicciafoco’s drive is one reason for the festival’s staying power, he attributes the success of the festival to the diversity of New Mexico itself. "The expansion to Santa Fe showed that there really is a strong GLBT presence in New Mexico and a real interest in issues affecting our community."
2011 Models of Hope Honorees
Donnie Chase
Community Honoree
David Stocum
Community Honoree
Jordon Johnson
Community Honoree
Community Honoree
David Stocum
Community Honoree
Jordon Johnson
Community Honoree
2012 Models of Hope Honorees
Bunnie Cruse
Community Honoree
Marcos Sedillo
Youth Honoree
Carrie Hamblen
Community Honoree
Community Honoree
Marcos Sedillo
Youth Honoree
Carrie Hamblen
Community Honoree
2013 Models of Hope Honorees
Alex Newell
Celebrity Honoree
Javier Rios
Community Honoree
N'MPower, Community ActivistJavier Valentine Ríos is well known throughout the community. The Immigrant Health Promotions Coordinator at the Office of Health Equity with the New Mexico Department of Health, Javier became involved with N'MPower of Albuquerque in 2005, five months after graduating from UNM with his MA. He saw an advertisement in the local Alibi and thought it would be a great opportunity to work with his new found community - HIV/AIDS as well as a way to become more comfortable with his own gay identity.
He has received several awards on top of the Vincent R. Johnson Models of Hope award including N'MPower 7 Plus Years of Service Appreciation Award, Reach OUT and Touch Someone Award Project BlackOUT, Kahlo Benavidez Leadership Award from the New Mexico Community Planning and Action Group NMCPAG, National Latino AIDS Action Network NLAAN AIDS Embajador/Ambassador at XIX International AIDS Conference, CAMP Mentor Strengthening Abstract Submissions for Communities of Color to attend XIX International AIDS Conference, CDC and Prevention, YMSM and YTG Community Meeting Scholarship Recipient, and HIV Research Catalyst Forum Full Scholarship Recipient
Javier was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico with an amazingly loving family. He has three brothers and two sisters. "I am what northern New Mexicans call a 'coyote', meaning that I am half Hispano/Latino and half Anglo." He is half Mexican/New Mexican and half Irish. and has two amazing parents. He is very proud of my New Mexican history, heritage and culture both Native American and Hispano/Latino.
Growing up in the Hispano/Latino culture, at times, can be very machista/macho. As a kid, he realized at a very young age that too often gender roles and sexuality were strictly defined and limiting. Needless to say at a young age, Javier learned through socialization from some family, Catholicism, school and work that being 'gay' was not something to be proud of, but rather a source of shame, guilt and abomination. He tried his best to conform and 'pray away' my feelings, but denying himself became ever more difficult, but in the fall 2003 at the age of 27, after moving to Albuquerque to attend UNM for graduate school, he had his first experience with another man. He had experienced enough of the bigotry and hatred and has never looked back. This was a life changing experience.
Javier's best piece of advice? "Loving yourself is important. I believe that once we begin to love ourselves that is when we can truly show others love. That is what I would pass on to young people. Remember to love yourself so in turn you can truly and unconditionally love others. I would also let them know that if their biological family has trouble loving them for who they are that they should know that there are other people out in the world that do love them and will love them as they were born. I would want today’s youth to know that new families, like the N'MPower family, can be created if you are not born into one. It is extremely important to realize that you do not always have to believe what you are taught. Question things, especially when those things teach you to feel ashamed of whom you are or teach you to not live as your authentic self. We are all unique in our own way so embrace that uniqueness and know that you do not have to conform. You can live your life opening people’s eyes and showing the world love."
Hozhoni Skyy
Youth Honoree
Hozhoni first got involved with the community with her high school’s Gay Straight Alliance. "There wasn't very much organizations to get involved with in the town I live in," said Hozhoni. "But after I won Miss New Mexico Pride Youth 2013, so many doors have been opened for me to share my experience with a number of organizations." The Vincent R. Jonson Models of Hope Award will be her very first award for her actions with the LGBTIQ community. "I’m super excited to be contributing more in my platform of the LGBTIQ youth in New Mexico." Hozhoni is still experiencing her youth, but what she's experienced so far has been good. "I think my life has been fairly nice. I appreciate the experiences I've been though, I give thanks to people who have come into my life, but I still have a lot of living to do." When it comes to the changing moment in her life that lead her to living life as the real her, she says, "I’m not sure if there was a defining moment. I think I've learned to become more comfortable with myself. People have told me that I've inspired them to be more of themselves because I wore makeup every day and dressed extremely feminine. I didn't care what people said. Now that I look back on it, I’m extremely happy I did it." Her advice for youth? "Remember you’re never alone; you always have yourself to rely on."
Celebrity Honoree
Javier Rios
Community Honoree
N'MPower, Community ActivistJavier Valentine Ríos is well known throughout the community. The Immigrant Health Promotions Coordinator at the Office of Health Equity with the New Mexico Department of Health, Javier became involved with N'MPower of Albuquerque in 2005, five months after graduating from UNM with his MA. He saw an advertisement in the local Alibi and thought it would be a great opportunity to work with his new found community - HIV/AIDS as well as a way to become more comfortable with his own gay identity.
He has received several awards on top of the Vincent R. Johnson Models of Hope award including N'MPower 7 Plus Years of Service Appreciation Award, Reach OUT and Touch Someone Award Project BlackOUT, Kahlo Benavidez Leadership Award from the New Mexico Community Planning and Action Group NMCPAG, National Latino AIDS Action Network NLAAN AIDS Embajador/Ambassador at XIX International AIDS Conference, CAMP Mentor Strengthening Abstract Submissions for Communities of Color to attend XIX International AIDS Conference, CDC and Prevention, YMSM and YTG Community Meeting Scholarship Recipient, and HIV Research Catalyst Forum Full Scholarship Recipient
Javier was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico with an amazingly loving family. He has three brothers and two sisters. "I am what northern New Mexicans call a 'coyote', meaning that I am half Hispano/Latino and half Anglo." He is half Mexican/New Mexican and half Irish. and has two amazing parents. He is very proud of my New Mexican history, heritage and culture both Native American and Hispano/Latino.
Growing up in the Hispano/Latino culture, at times, can be very machista/macho. As a kid, he realized at a very young age that too often gender roles and sexuality were strictly defined and limiting. Needless to say at a young age, Javier learned through socialization from some family, Catholicism, school and work that being 'gay' was not something to be proud of, but rather a source of shame, guilt and abomination. He tried his best to conform and 'pray away' my feelings, but denying himself became ever more difficult, but in the fall 2003 at the age of 27, after moving to Albuquerque to attend UNM for graduate school, he had his first experience with another man. He had experienced enough of the bigotry and hatred and has never looked back. This was a life changing experience.
Javier's best piece of advice? "Loving yourself is important. I believe that once we begin to love ourselves that is when we can truly show others love. That is what I would pass on to young people. Remember to love yourself so in turn you can truly and unconditionally love others. I would also let them know that if their biological family has trouble loving them for who they are that they should know that there are other people out in the world that do love them and will love them as they were born. I would want today’s youth to know that new families, like the N'MPower family, can be created if you are not born into one. It is extremely important to realize that you do not always have to believe what you are taught. Question things, especially when those things teach you to feel ashamed of whom you are or teach you to not live as your authentic self. We are all unique in our own way so embrace that uniqueness and know that you do not have to conform. You can live your life opening people’s eyes and showing the world love."
Hozhoni Skyy
Youth Honoree
Hozhoni first got involved with the community with her high school’s Gay Straight Alliance. "There wasn't very much organizations to get involved with in the town I live in," said Hozhoni. "But after I won Miss New Mexico Pride Youth 2013, so many doors have been opened for me to share my experience with a number of organizations." The Vincent R. Jonson Models of Hope Award will be her very first award for her actions with the LGBTIQ community. "I’m super excited to be contributing more in my platform of the LGBTIQ youth in New Mexico." Hozhoni is still experiencing her youth, but what she's experienced so far has been good. "I think my life has been fairly nice. I appreciate the experiences I've been though, I give thanks to people who have come into my life, but I still have a lot of living to do." When it comes to the changing moment in her life that lead her to living life as the real her, she says, "I’m not sure if there was a defining moment. I think I've learned to become more comfortable with myself. People have told me that I've inspired them to be more of themselves because I wore makeup every day and dressed extremely feminine. I didn't care what people said. Now that I look back on it, I’m extremely happy I did it." Her advice for youth? "Remember you’re never alone; you always have yourself to rely on."
2014 Models of Hope Honorees
William Moorman
Youth Honoree
Adrian Lawyer
Community Honoree
Tony Medina
Community Honoree
The Dolls
Business / Organization Honoree
Youth Honoree
Adrian Lawyer
Community Honoree
Tony Medina
Community Honoree
The Dolls
Business / Organization Honoree
2015 Models of Hope Honorees
Christopher Salas
Community Honoree
Lance McDaniel
Youth Honoree
Amber Royster
Community Honoree
UNM LGBTQ Resource Center
Business / Organization Honoree
Community Honoree
Lance McDaniel
Youth Honoree
Amber Royster
Community Honoree
UNM LGBTQ Resource Center
Business / Organization Honoree
2016 Models of Hope Honorees
Mauro Walden-Montoya
Community Honoree
Gwen Connova-Kinzie
Community Honoree
Marshall Martinez (LaRhya Daniels)
Community Honoree
New Mexico GSA Network
Business / Organization Honoree
Community Honoree
Gwen Connova-Kinzie
Community Honoree
Marshall Martinez (LaRhya Daniels)
Community Honoree
New Mexico GSA Network
Business / Organization Honoree
2017 Models of Hope Honorees
Jacquêsán Taylor Stratton
Community Honoree
Brittany Renee Ameson
Community Honoree
Josh Garcia (Seliah DeLeon)
Community Honoree
Community Honoree
Brittany Renee Ameson
Community Honoree
Josh Garcia (Seliah DeLeon)
Community Honoree
2018 Models of Hope Honorees
Aaron Howe
Community Honoree
Mattee Jim
Community Honoree
Zane Stephens
Community Honoree
Zane was always someone who wanted to help people and found that opportunity running the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico. "I have always been part of the LGBTQ community and the folks who have loved me and cared about me the most are part of those communities as well," shared Stephens. "I can’t think of any other place I would rather spend my time or energy then trying to give back to the communities where I was helped the most as a young person." In his youth, Stephens realized that he didn't have the resources that LGBTQ youth have today and is glad that it now exist. "When I was young I didn’t have a lot of access to information the way we do today and it took me a long time to learn about different ways of seeing the world and the people in it. I didn’t have folks I could talk to who were LGBTQ, there wasn’t vocabulary in my life to even figure out what made me different then everyone else I was around. I’m grateful that today there are more options for folks to find each other and make connections and create their own families and support systems." His advice for today's youth? "Don’t forget to take good care of yourself, but take care of each other. Tell people who you care about that you love them, that you respect them, that you admire them, tell them whatever it may be because you never know how that might change their life and in the end it changes yours too. Be fierce, be yourself and find ways to live your lives to the fullest and be willing to take risks."
Planned Parenthood
Business / Organization Honoree
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains has been helping individuals make responsible choices for over 100 years. They have been committed to delivering the highest quality reproductive health care, teaching responsible and age-appropriate sexuality education and have been working diligently to protect a woman’s right to choose. Founded in 1916 under the name Denver Birth Control League, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM), was created by a group of women and men committed to providing family planning services and education to our community. During the first ten years of the organization’s history, information regarding family planning and birth control was distributed primarily to married women. These educational activities were illegal under the anti-obscenity Comstock laws, which were finally repealed in 1965. In 1926, the organization opened its first birth control health center in the basement of the Universalist church, pictured at left. Today, PPRM operates 24 health centers in 4 states - Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming. We provide more than 100,000 women, men and teens with confidential and affordable services each year. PPRM offers free or low cost clinical breast exams, pap tests, and mammogram referrals to qualifying women in Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico.
Community Honoree
Mattee Jim
Community Honoree
Zane Stephens
Community Honoree
Zane was always someone who wanted to help people and found that opportunity running the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico. "I have always been part of the LGBTQ community and the folks who have loved me and cared about me the most are part of those communities as well," shared Stephens. "I can’t think of any other place I would rather spend my time or energy then trying to give back to the communities where I was helped the most as a young person." In his youth, Stephens realized that he didn't have the resources that LGBTQ youth have today and is glad that it now exist. "When I was young I didn’t have a lot of access to information the way we do today and it took me a long time to learn about different ways of seeing the world and the people in it. I didn’t have folks I could talk to who were LGBTQ, there wasn’t vocabulary in my life to even figure out what made me different then everyone else I was around. I’m grateful that today there are more options for folks to find each other and make connections and create their own families and support systems." His advice for today's youth? "Don’t forget to take good care of yourself, but take care of each other. Tell people who you care about that you love them, that you respect them, that you admire them, tell them whatever it may be because you never know how that might change their life and in the end it changes yours too. Be fierce, be yourself and find ways to live your lives to the fullest and be willing to take risks."
Planned Parenthood
Business / Organization Honoree
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains has been helping individuals make responsible choices for over 100 years. They have been committed to delivering the highest quality reproductive health care, teaching responsible and age-appropriate sexuality education and have been working diligently to protect a woman’s right to choose. Founded in 1916 under the name Denver Birth Control League, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM), was created by a group of women and men committed to providing family planning services and education to our community. During the first ten years of the organization’s history, information regarding family planning and birth control was distributed primarily to married women. These educational activities were illegal under the anti-obscenity Comstock laws, which were finally repealed in 1965. In 1926, the organization opened its first birth control health center in the basement of the Universalist church, pictured at left. Today, PPRM operates 24 health centers in 4 states - Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming. We provide more than 100,000 women, men and teens with confidential and affordable services each year. PPRM offers free or low cost clinical breast exams, pap tests, and mammogram referrals to qualifying women in Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico.
2019 Models of Hope Honorees
Neil Macernie
Community Honoree
If you haven’t heard the name Neil Macernie in the LGBTQ community, you are in for a treat. Neil is the epitome of volunteerism. Macernie has been a major asset for Albuquerque Pride for years holding many titles including President and now Vice-President of Public Relations. His introduction into the community is pretty much what you would expect. He “started by getting a group of friends together to create a pride float.” When it came to his childhood, Neil found it difficult. “It was very challenging as a youth,” shared Macernie. “Because you were expected to express yourself a certain way as a boy and people were very mean if you did not.” When it comes to his advice for LGBTQ youth, it’s simple, “Don’t be afraid to express yourself,” says Macernie. “I know it feels like the people in your school life are important, but that’s less than a quarter of your life, you have only just begun. Find friends that will stand by you and advocate for you.”
Renato Estacio-Burdick
Community Honoree
Jax Sugars
Youth Honoree
Casa Q
Business / Organization Honoree
The mission of Casa Q is to provide safe living options and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, as well as allies, who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Unlike emergency shelter programs, Casa Q provides residential and transitional living services in a home-like environment, complemented with comprehensive and individual case management. When it comes to what piece of advice they would give to today’s youth, it truly follows why Models of Hope was created. “Find a mentor or role model in the broader LGBTQ community who you can relate and look up to. There are a lot of heroes in the international, national and local community who have done great work to earn our rights and freedoms. And if you grew up in a loving supportive home, reach out to someone who hasn’t. And if you lack that love and support, reach out to one of Albuquerque’s many youth-focused LGBTQ groups and find the support every person deserves. There’s a huge community of people waiting to help. Here’s a list: Gay Straight Alliances at most high schools, Common Bonds Under 21, UNM’s LGBTQ Resource Center, NM’Power, and, of course, Casa Q.
Community Honoree
If you haven’t heard the name Neil Macernie in the LGBTQ community, you are in for a treat. Neil is the epitome of volunteerism. Macernie has been a major asset for Albuquerque Pride for years holding many titles including President and now Vice-President of Public Relations. His introduction into the community is pretty much what you would expect. He “started by getting a group of friends together to create a pride float.” When it came to his childhood, Neil found it difficult. “It was very challenging as a youth,” shared Macernie. “Because you were expected to express yourself a certain way as a boy and people were very mean if you did not.” When it comes to his advice for LGBTQ youth, it’s simple, “Don’t be afraid to express yourself,” says Macernie. “I know it feels like the people in your school life are important, but that’s less than a quarter of your life, you have only just begun. Find friends that will stand by you and advocate for you.”
Renato Estacio-Burdick
Community Honoree
Jax Sugars
Youth Honoree
Casa Q
Business / Organization Honoree
The mission of Casa Q is to provide safe living options and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, as well as allies, who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Unlike emergency shelter programs, Casa Q provides residential and transitional living services in a home-like environment, complemented with comprehensive and individual case management. When it comes to what piece of advice they would give to today’s youth, it truly follows why Models of Hope was created. “Find a mentor or role model in the broader LGBTQ community who you can relate and look up to. There are a lot of heroes in the international, national and local community who have done great work to earn our rights and freedoms. And if you grew up in a loving supportive home, reach out to someone who hasn’t. And if you lack that love and support, reach out to one of Albuquerque’s many youth-focused LGBTQ groups and find the support every person deserves. There’s a huge community of people waiting to help. Here’s a list: Gay Straight Alliances at most high schools, Common Bonds Under 21, UNM’s LGBTQ Resource Center, NM’Power, and, of course, Casa Q.
2020 Models of Hope Honorees
Ryan Perrigo
Community Honoree
Nic Sedillo
Community Honoree
Terra Fox
Youth Honoree
Community Honoree
Nic Sedillo
Community Honoree
Terra Fox
Youth Honoree
2022 Models of Hope Honorees
Priscilla Bouvier
Community Honoree
Armani Daniels
Community Honoree
Albuquerque Social Club
Business/Organization Honoree
Community Honoree
Armani Daniels
Community Honoree
Albuquerque Social Club
Business/Organization Honoree
2023 Models of Hope Honorees
Avery Martini
Community Honoree
Sarah Kennedy
Community Honoree
Hot Flash ABQ
Business/Organization Honoree
Community Honoree
Sarah Kennedy
Community Honoree
Hot Flash ABQ
Business/Organization Honoree
2024 Models of Hope Honorees
Steven J. Westman
Community Honoree
Chef Marie Yniguez
Community Honoree
Trey Michaels
Community Honoree
Senior Citizens Law Office
Business/Organization Honoree
Community Honoree
Chef Marie Yniguez
Community Honoree
Trey Michaels
Community Honoree
Senior Citizens Law Office
Business/Organization Honoree
