ARTsmart

ARTsmart was founded in 1993 by the Santa Fe Gallery Association to address the lack of funding for art programs and supplies in Santa Fe public schools. In a city built on and sustained by the arts, ARTsmart is committed to funding the creative thinkers of tomorrow. Every year ARTsmart organizes ARTfeast as its major fundraiser. Contributions are made through ticket sales, event and program underwriters, donors, and the volunteerism of hundreds of businesses and educators. Through 2007, ARTsmart distributed $476,278 to ARTsmart projects, public school programs and art-related organizations in the city of Santa Fe. Now in its 12th season, ARTfeast is heralded as one of the most inspired reasons for a getaway. The weekend of festivities celebrates the City Different’s world-class chefs and restaurants, an international array of vintners, original designer fashions and unique homes, alongwith nationally and regionally prominent artists represented bymembers of the Santa Fe Gallery Association. All of this fun and food helps young people develop the skills needed to creatively respond to life. Info: 505-603-4643 • www.artfeast.com

Assistance Dogs of the West

There are more than a thousand nonprofits in the region The Essential Guide serves. With the ever-growing needs of so many deserving organizations, it’s hard to single out only a few for recognition. For this reason, we acknowledge both past and current honorees on our website.

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Challenge New Mexico

Challenge New Mexico is a non-profit organization founded on the principle that all individuals should have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of ability. CNM is committed to helping each person live the CNM motto - "If I can do this, I can do anything!" They offer services and support to people who are physically or mentally challenged and to their families, enhancing their ability to grow, develop and function as valued contributing members of their communities. Their Adaptive Skiing and Snowboarding and Therapeutic Horseback Riding programs are modeled around the country. CNM just celebrated their 50th anniversary! Info: 505-988-7621 • ChallengeNewMexico.com

Cooking With Kids

Cooking With Kids is a Santa Fe non-profit working to empower elementary school children to make healthy choices about food. They do this through hands-on experience with fresh, affordable foods from diverse cultures. As the name implies, the kids actually cook. Over the years the students have cooked such dishes as Black Bean Tostadas, Ethiopian Lentils with Couscous, Chinese-American Fried Rice, and Fresh Green and White Fettuccine with Tomato Basil Sauce. Founded in 1995 by local restaurateur Lynn Walters, Cooking with Kids works in partnership with Santa Fe Public Schools. This year, they are serving over 4,400 kindergarten through 6th grade kids at 12 low-income schools. The classes are part of the regular school day and they have designed a curriculum that includes not only nutrition, but math, social studies and science. Family members are encouraged to volunteer and last year they had over 1,000 volunteers. Info: 505-438-0098 • www.cookingwithkids.net

FACT: Fine Art for Children & Teens

There are more than a thousand nonprofits in the region The Essential Guide serves. With the ever-growing needs of so many deserving organizations, it is hard to single out only a few for recognition. For this reason, we acknowledge both past and current honorees on our website: essentialguide.com. The Essential Guide supports these deserving organizations with a financial contribution and by bringing them to our readers’ attention. We encourage our readers, if so moved, to make a donation as well. We hope that with our help and that of our readers, these organizations will survive and even thrive in these challenging economic times.

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Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library

Founded in 1974, Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library's mission is to support the Library by providing funding, advocacy, programming and materials that enrich the diverse groups within the community. The Friends raised over $1.5 million for the new Southside Branch Library. The generous support came from businesses, foundations, the Legislature and individuals. This community support has enabled the Library to reach more than 12,000 children through its popular programs last year. The FOL receives funds and books and distributes these back to the Library. The Friends operate two bookstores and use the revenues to purchase new books. Info: 505-955-6789 • www.santafelibrary.org

Music From Angel Fire

Music From Angel Fireis a non-profit organization now in its 26th year of serving the rural Northern New Mexico communities in Taos, Colfax and San Miguel counties. The Festival is dedicated to bringing the highest standard of artistic excellence to these communities through its program services. World-renowned artists perform exquisite chamber music during the Festival’s annual concert series, greatly enhancing the cultural life of the community. The Taos Concert Series in particular is presented at the newly renovated Taos Community Auditorium and includes four evening performances and a free afternoon Family/Youth Concert for the younger audience. And through its commitment to education, the Festival presents its educational outreach program, Music In Our Schools, featuring performances by wind and string students from the famed Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. These gifted young artists present over 30 hands-on classroom programs in the public schools of Northern New Mexico; exposing and educating local youth in these underserved rural areas to the world of classical music. Info: 575-377-3233 • www.musicfromangelfire.org

Santa Fe Rape Crisis & Trauma Treatment Center

The Santa Fe Rape Crisis & Trauma Treatment Centeris celebrating its 35th year of continuously expanding service and support to Santa Fe and northern New Mexico. The Center currently provides direct support services to over 500 survivors of sexual violence and their families each year. In addition, the Center's outreach and prevention programs reach over 10,000 people in the community every year. They work together with community groups and agencies to build a community free of sexual violence by: 1. Treating and rehabilitating people affected by sexual violence in our community and Northern New Mexico 2. Providing education and training to promote the prevention of sexual violence 3. Maintaining the provision of crisis services to survivors of sexual assault and their families and assisting them to overcome the trauma of the crime committed against them 4. Providing therapeutic services to children who sexually molest other children Info: 505-988-1951 • www.sfrcc.org

Youth Heartline

Youth Heartline provides services to abused and neglected children in Taos, Colfax and Union Counties. They do this by providing three main programs: The CASA program’s purpose is to train community volunteers to be advocates for children involved in the court system with a priority on abuse and neglect cases. The CASA volunteer provides a strong voice to represent the child’s best interest while advocating for a safe and permanent home. The purpose of the Family Empowerment Programis to provide treatment and advocacy for children and non-offending familymembers who have been victims of child abuse. The Child Personal Safety Project’s purpose is to educate the community around issues of child safety; in particular, child sexual abuse. Info: 575-758-0106 • www.youthheartline.org