Description
Established in 1973 as one of 38 independent community development corporations funded under the Title VII Act and designed to combat poverty, Siete emphasizes rural economic and business development and affordable housing while also offering programs for the elderly, youth education and training, land and water issues, and community ownership of local resources. Siete’s programs and investments have resulted in the creation of over 1,000 jobs and provision of services and training to over 15,000 low-income residents of rural NM. Recently, Siete completed a corporate merger with Chicanos por la Causa, Inc., an Arizona based non-profit organization, on July 1, 2013. The merger consolidates many administrative functions and provides Siete with greater access to local, regional and national resources, expertise and partners. CPLC has a broad array of programs and services that serve over 150,000 clients on an annual basis. CPLC provides Siete with critical technical assistance and guidance as an institution experienced in capacity-building, investing in businesses and creating jobs.
This year Siete is kicking off of Santa Fe, New Mexico's new citywide mentoring program, Inspire Santa Fe. Based on the premise that every human being has a unique gift to share with the world, Inspire Santa Fe invites young people (aged 12-19) to identify an interest that they are deeply drawn to, and matches them with a community expert. Together, the adult mentor and the youth protg embark on a nine-month exploration of their shared interest--painting, auto mechanics, law, medicine, martial arts, mountaineering, and myriad others--and then create a project that "gives back" to the community.
