Year In Review-2024

Maricruz Ruiz: Empowering Education in Santa Cruz County

Selecting the Person of the Year for 2024 proved challenging for Border Eco, as numerous individuals demonstrated remarkable impact throughout Santa Cruz County. However, Maricruz Ruiz's transformative leadership at Pima Community College's Santa Cruz Center stood out.

Ruiz's personal journey resonates deeply. A first-generation graduate, she navigated the college system without parental guidance. This experience fuels her passion for helping students overcome similar obstacles.

"I faced the same challenges our students do," Ruiz reflects. "Overcoming these hurdles empowers me to guide students toward thriving futures."

With impressive academic credentials and extensive experience at Pima College, Ruiz effectively addresses diverse student needs. As manager, she oversees programs serving over 300 students.

Her strategic focus encompasses enrollment growth, persistence and retention. "My vision is for the Santa Cruz Center to become a vibrant educational hub," Ruiz says.

To gauge success, Ruiz tracks key performance indicators and assesses community impact. Her pursuit of professional development ensures programs align with emerging needs.

"Education is the great equalizer," Ruiz emphasizes. "It unlocks doors, offering choices, financial stability and upward mobility. I'm dedicated to making this vision a reality for Santa Cruz County students."

Ruiz's commitment has earned her Border Eco's Person of the Year recognition, inspiring others to champion education and empowerment.

Vibrant Vibes Spring Fling: A Celebration of Community

Selecting the Event of the Year proved challenging for Border Eco, as numerous gatherings showcased Santa Cruz County's vibrant spirit. However, the Vibrant Vibes Spring Fling stood out for its infectious energy and community unity.

On April 20th, Pierson Field transformed into a vibrant hub, featuring food trucks, local bands and activities for all ages. City of Nogales Parks & Recreation Director Renee Travers and Santa Cruz County School Superintendent Alfredo I. Velásquez collaborated to bring this vision to life.

The event's diverse offerings included handcrafted vendors, art activities and performances by local bands Springs of Iris, Distorted and Venetian Blinds. Attendees enjoyed delicious food, music and entertainment.

The success of the inaugural Vibrant Vibes Spring Fling has paved the way for an annual celebration. Organizers thank sponsors, including the City of Nogales, Rotary Club of Nogales and local businesses, for making this event possible.

The community's enthusiasm was palpable, with attendees of all ages embracing the festive atmosphere. Children's laughter filled the air as they enjoyed silly string, obstacle courses and light-up gadgets.

The Vibrant Vibes Spring Fling's impact extends beyond a single day, fostering community spirit and connection. Border Eco recognizes this exceptional event, inspiring others to champion community well-being.

 Margarita Elias: A Shining Star in Santa Cruz County

Selecting the Rising Star of the Year proved challenging for Border Eco, as numerous individuals demonstrated exceptional impact. However, Margarita Elias's dedication and compassion stood out.

Born and raised in Nogales, Arizona, Elias earned degrees from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. She became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, dedicating her life to helping others.

Elias's impressive career spans over 30 years in behavioral health. Her achievements include membership in the Santa Cruz County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team and Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Team.

Her passion for social justice and equality drives her advocacy. Inspired by supervisors, colleagues, family and friends, Elias tirelessly provides support and resources.

Elias's selfless nature and commitment make her an invaluable community asset. Her contributions improve lives and inspire others.

Border Eco recognizes Margarita Elias as the Rising Star of the Year, celebrating her remarkable impact and unwavering dedication to Santa Cruz County's well-being.

Pinal Hispanic Council and Intermountain: Empowering Santa Cruz County

Selecting the Organization of the Year proved daunting for Border Eco, as numerous entities demonstrated exceptional impact throughout Santa Cruz County. However, Pinal Hispanic Council (PHC) and Intermountain stood out for their vital services and dedication to community well-being.

PHC and Intermountain provide exceptional behavioral health, wellness and support services, empowering individuals to lead healthier lives. With culturally competent care and personalized plans, they cater to diverse populations. Collaborations with community partners and resource leveraging enable comprehensive support. Intermountain's expansion includes new facilities and enhanced programs.

As Arizona's largest nonprofit behavioral health organization, Intermountain operates 31 locations, offering accessible primary care and behavioral services. Their innovative outreach programs focus on mental health, wellness and community involvement. Since 1973, Intermountain has innovated and advanced primary care and behavioral health programs, serving diverse individuals.

Through their tireless efforts, PHC and Intermountain have improved countless lives, fostering resilience and hope. Their commitment inspires others to champion community well-being. To support their mission, contact Pinal Hispanic Council at (520) 287-0015 or Intermountain Health Center at (520) 281-0678, or donate at https://www.intermountaincenters.org/support-us .

This year, we have chosen an individual who has truly made a remarkable impact in our community. As an inspiration to everyone around us, this person demonstrates that anyone can achieve anything with the right mindset and unwavering determination. This year, we are honored to introduce Sandra Moraga, our "Person of the Year" Community Specialist at South32. Sandra's diverse background and exceptional abilities make her a great fit for the position.

Her career has allowed Sandra to work with organizations like the City of Nogales, Esplendor Resort, NUSD, and the Santa Cruz County School Superintendent's Office. These invaluable experiences have not only allowed her to establish significant networking relationships, but have also given her profound insights into our community's dynamics.

She has extensive experience in our community, so she has a deep understanding of its needs and aspirations. This understanding allows her to make significant contributions to promoting and supporting our county. Having exceptional skills in networking, communication, and problem-solving, Sandra has been able to meet the needs of our community and contribute to its growth and success.

The extraordinary contributions she has made to the community and her unwavering commitment make her a deserving recipient of such recognition. We are very proud of her as our person of the year, and we hope to see her continue to make positive contributions to our community.

This year, Arizona@Work took the reins as the host of the highly anticipated event of the year. Their job fair, which has experienced remarkable growth and unwavering popularity, continues to serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity for job seekers and employers in the Santa Cruz County community.

"We are thrilled to announce our return, with an unwavering commitment to delivering an even more impactful event. Our main goal is to connect local employers with job seekers who may not be aware of the abundant employment opportunities available in the area. By facilitating these vital connections within our community and helping restore a sense of normalcy, we are dedicated to contributing to the recovery of the workforce," stated Irasema Olvera, WIOA Director.

In a truly remarkable display of dedication, Santa Cruz County Arizona@Work has surpassed all expectations this year. Going above and beyond the call of duty, they have not only organized the event but have also provided free bus transportation from various locations. Taking full advantage of the diverse opportunities available in Santa Cruz County is made easy with this thoughtful gesture. The Santa Cruz County Arizona@Work shows their unwavering commitment to ensuring seamless and enjoyable experiences for all attendees by removing the potential barriers of transportation. 

We are proud to announce Stephanie Bermudez as our Rising Star of the Year, a remarkable young woman whose vision and passion have been making waves throughout our community. As the CEO and founder of Startup Unidos, Stephanie has dedicated over 15 years to understanding the local culture, forging relationships, and earning the respect and loyalty of individuals and organizations at all levels. Her innovative ideas have led to the creation of cross-border communities that foster collaboration and co-inspiration across national boundaries.

Stephanie not only organizes events, provides training and consulting, and conducts research within the Southern Arizona area, but she also establishes entrepreneurial communities and networks. Her tireless efforts have made a significant impact on the region's business landscape.

Beyond her professional achievements, Stephanie is a single mother with a 21-year-old son. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with friends and prioritizes her health and well-being. Her dedication to both her personal and professional life is truly commendable.

Stephanie's exceptional leadership and contributions have not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including being named a Top 20 Woman of Impact by Tucson Lifestyle Magazine in February 2020, Minority Business Owner of the Year by Inside Tucson Business Women of Impact in March 2019, and the recipient of the TENWEST Idea Funding Larry Hecker and Sherry Hoskinson Bright Futures Award in October 2018. Additionally, she was honored as the 40 under 40 Woman of the Year by the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in December 2016.

Stephanie Bermudez is an inspiration to us all, and we are privileged to have her as our Rising Star of the Year. Her dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to building thriving communities serve as a shining example for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders.

The Border Eco team selected Crossroads Nogales Mission as the recipient of their organization of the year. As a result of exorbitant rents and rising food prices in recent years, a large number of people have faced immense financial challenges. Homelessness is a pervasive issue across the nation, and many families are finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet. The Crossroads Nogales Mission, however, stands out among these distressing circumstances for its unwavering commitment to addressing the needs of these vulnerable families.

Our Crossroads Nogales Mission is dedicated to helping individuals and families who are suffering from addiction, homelessness, and abuse, and is a transformative force in our community. Its uniqueness lies in its status as the only homeless shelter and recovery center in South Central Arizona. Among the services offered by Crossroads Nogales Mission are food and shelter, addiction recovery programs, refuge from domestic violence, spiritual guidance, job placement assistance, and housing support, as well as spiritual guidance.

The Crossroads Nogales Mission's mission lies at the heart of all of our efforts: to transform the lives of homeless and distressed individuals through the Gospel's power of transformation. Ultimately, we want to lead individuals away from the perils of homelessness and addiction, and guide them toward lives that are fulfilling and fulfilling. Crossroads Nogales Mission executive director Alejandra Martinez sums up their mission perfectly stating, "Our goal is to transform people from homelessness and addiction into productive, meaningful lives."

For those in dire circumstances in our community, Crossroads Nogales Mission stands as a beacon of hope. Our unwavering dedication and comprehensive range of services strive to uplift individuals and families, giving them the tools and support they need to overcome adversity and achieve their goals. 

Congratulations!  

For this year's person of the year in Santa Cruz County who echos, we selected Noemi Elizalde. Mrs. Elizalde is passionate about helping domestic violence survivors. Over the years, her passion for public service has been noted. Trauma survivors and their families are still in need of help, so she continues to provide them with services to help them recover. 

It was in 2021 that she accepted a position with the Children's Advocacy Center as Coordinator of the Mobile Advocacy Program. The position enabled her to continue the collaboration with Santa Cruz County and provide services to rural communities. In addition to providing her with opportunities to grow, the experience also allowed her to serve the community. As part of her role, she facilitates the provision of services for victims and witnesses, as well as identifying funding opportunities and training opportunities.

“Working with the community, and in particular with our partners, has been an incredible experience. Each partner has contributed to the success of the Family Safety Center. Mariposa Community Health Center gave me the opportunity to begin this advocacy journey in 2013. My growth in this field would not have been possible without their constant support throughout the years," said Noemi Elizalde, coordinator of the Children's Advocacy Center.

As a victim advocate, Elizade is passionate about helping her community. Bringing services to Santa Cruz County has always been her goal. Her strength has always been networking. We appreciate your commitment to public service and your collaboration with different agencies that can fill in any gaps in our community.

As the event of the year for 2022, Border Eco selected the Santa Cruz County Mental Health Awareness Summit. Honorable Judge Emilio Velasquez spearheaded the summit at the Santa Cruz County Complex as part of his ongoing substance abuse and mental health programs. Congratulations to the Justice of the Peace for leading the way to a new era of judicial oversight. In addition to being known for his kindness, fairness, and restorative justice approach, Honorable Judge Emilio Velasquez has brought together community systems to establish the only drug court in Arizona's lower courts, as well as his "Behavioral Empowerment Court," which addresses mental health and substance abuse issues for his defendants and families. A compassionate, fair, and supportive court has served the community well by providing treatment, community programming, and equitable support to defendants and their families.

Although he has courtroom experience, Judge Velasquez is most recognized for his work off the bench. He founded and leads a coalition to solve local problems. The honorable Emilio Velasquez, Justice of the Peace of Santa Cruz County, was honored by David's Hope, an Arizona Mental Health Criminal Justice Coalition for his outstanding accomplishments in Mental Health Criminal Justice Collaboration.

The Santa Cruz County Justice Peace is recognized for his dedication to mental health awareness. He has led the conversation in our community about the importance of providing treatment, collaborating with community partners and supporting those suffering from substance abuse or mental illness through his hard work and dedication. 

As a member of our community, you proved to us what a valuable asset you are!  

This year, selecting a candidate for this category proved challenging. At Border Eco, we believe everyone we featured for people who echo in Santa Cruz County is unique and special in their own way. We believe education professionals go above and beyond their profession to help educate our children, youth, and community.  As a team, we considered Los Padres Director Georgina Parra to be a rising star in Santa Cruz County. 

Georgina Parra comes from a family who has dedicated itself to public service. In addition to her mother being a schoolteacher, her father was involved in politics his entire life. “My parents inspired me to pursue my calling of public service. They taught me to care about my community,” said Program Director Georgina Parra.  

Her youngest sister, Regina Romero, is the mayor of Tucson, and her older sister Maricruz Ruiz is a program coordinator at Pima Community College. The idea of making a difference by getting involved in the community has always been instilled in me by my parents. Throughout our lives, they have encouraged us to care about our community by doing something that will help make it a better place. 

The most important accomplishment of my career has been the opportunity to grow professionally. At Child & Family Resource Center, I began my career as a family child support specialist. Over the past 20 years, I’ve advanced my career and now hold the position of director. It is impossible to overstate the importance of going to school and completing school. I recently earned an associate’s degree in my field of study, which is very important to me.

Working with children and families in the community has always been my passion. I’ve been doing this for 20 years. My current employer is the Superintendent’s office.  I work with an organization that helps the community in a number of ways. Our next step for us is to form a father-parent support group. 

Los Padres plays an important role in our community. The purpose of our program is to educate parents, especially young parents, about how their child develops.Los Padres son los primeros maestros that is the full name of our program. This encapsulates the main purpose of this program is to help parents learn how to be their child’s first teachers by teaching them from the womb and later on learning about all the areas of growth and development helping the child obtain their best    

potential so they can be ready for the world. 

The program aims to teach parents the importance of being involved in their child’s development. Families are encouraged to participate in a new home visitation program that focuses on parent-child interaction. Providing parents with resources and strategies for teaching their children through play. Families with newborns to four-year-olds can participate in our program. According to the program director, teens, first-time parents, grandparents raising grandchildren, and court-appointed guardians can benefit from the program.

Pimeria Alta is the historical society and museum operated by the board of trustees. For over 122 years, it has been an important part of our community. The PAHS was founded in 1948 by twenty-eight concerned citizens to preserve the culture and history of Ambos Nogales. It is with much pleasure that we announce Pimeria Alta as this year's organization of the year. We have continued to benefit from your presence in our community.

Despite its age, the Museum is still open five days a week. Many visitors come from Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, but also from other states. Tourists from around the world also visit.

Pimeria Alta Historical Society President Christine Courtland states, "Non-profit organizations face daunting challenges, but I hope to use my communication and organizational skills to stimulate community interest and participation."

We benefit from Pimeria Alta's efforts to preserve Ambos Nogales' culture and history. Among the functions of this organization are research, collection, conservation, interpretation, and exposition. Keeping the museum open to the public, accessible, and inclusive encourages diversity and sustainability. In addition to preserving our culture, Pimeria Alta is also an educational institution.

Although challenges arose during the pandemic, the museum held its first exhibit, "Historic Salute to Nogales Buffalo Soldiers," in January 2022. This exhibit featured WWI uniforms worn by Buffalo Soldiers and a collage of early gravestones.

A historic salute to the Nogales Buffalo Soldiers was held by the Nogales Buffalo Soldiers Legacy Association. Besides keeping our community connected to its heritage, the Pimeria Alta Museum has served as a source of information for our community. 

Your dedication to preserving our cultural heritage speaks volumes about your commitment to our community. You have served our community for many years and we cannot express our gratitude enough. There are so many things to discover at Pimeria Alta Historical Society.

 Congratulations to Elizabeth Weatherbie, this year she was selected for our editorial for people who "echo" in Santa Cruz County. Elizabeth is artistic and passionate about the arts. Her passion for the arts has led Weatherbie to go to great lengths to engage the public. 

Patrons of the Arts, Inc., also known as Hilltop Gallery, is a nonprofit organization headed by Elizabeth Weatherbie. In addition to accounting, she also coordinates events and manages the social media accounts for the organization. 

“Considering how many behind-the-scenes duties are handled every day, it's difficult to pinpoint  one key role within the organization. I mostly make sure everything gets done and on time," said Weatherbie. Elizabeth is a pioneer of the arts who brings passion and dedication to everything she does throughout her career. 

“ My passion for the arts is helping the community come together in many ways whether it’s through painting, music or just art appreciation. I would like to continue to help unite our community in these artistic endeavors. Hilltop Gallery is the only nonprofit art venue in our community. We encourage the arts on all levels and with all ages. We have branched out to not just be visual arts, but to include the performing arts, as well. We also offer art classes to all ages,” said the Executive Vice President. We appreciate your dedication to the arts. 

Congratulations to the Santa Cruz County Superintendent’s Office as they were selected this year for hosting the event of the year! Read Across America is an event that takes place every year within our county. Reading across America is an annual event in which Patricia Barraza, from the superintendent's office, invites over 70 to 90 volunteers to read to every public, private and charter school classroom in the county. "It is incredible to see how important student and adult interaction is during these reading sessions. This year was a little tricky to coordinate because of Covid. We had to conduct the readings in the classrooms virtually. It was so nice to see that even though we were faced with a pandemic and challenges, we still had over 75 volunteers for our event and the students were so pleased to have the guests in their virtual classrooms.”

“These wonderful folks make it possible to be able to provide prizes, trophies, cash rewards and a wonderful reception for our nominees. I am also in charge of hosting the day in which we select our Teacher of the Year. It’s a tedious challenging event and one of the largest ones in the County but it’s so rewarding to see how happy our incredible educators are at the end of the night,” said Barraza.

Patricia organizes the Annual Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year Awards and Dinner event. It takes seven months to plan it from day one to the day of the event. She first starts with the Kick-off Breakfast, which is mostly a notice to sponsors, donors and school administrators that they are starting with the process of honoring our educators. Barraza is also responsible for seeking sponsors and donors for the event. Thank you for going above and beyond to keep our schools, educators and community connected! The Santa Cruz County Superintendent’s Office kept working throughout the pandemic. Your office proved to be true heroes throughout this pandemic. You showed us how valuable you all are to our community!  

It was difficult to select a candidate for this particular category. Everyone we featured for people who “echo” in Santa Cruz County is unique in their field and own way! We felt as a team people who work in the healthcare industry have gone above and beyond to keep us healthy these past couple of years. As a team we felt, Senior Director of Community Health Services at Mariposa Community Health Center in Nogales, Arizona known to the community as Platicamos Salud (We Talk Health). 

Platicamos Salud is an important extension of Mariposa’s clinical services, connecting referred patients to additional education, support and follow-up that is culturally competent and language appropriate. Offering a variety of ongoing health education classes for all community members in locations easily accessible. Platicamos Salud also provides a critical link to the community via its community-based services that partner with other health and social services to serve families and create systems change.

Molina began her employment at Mariposa in 2004 assisting the Director of Platicamos Salud at that time, Jo Jean Elenes. Within 8 months of her employment, she was promoted to Prevention Manager. During her employment with Mariposa, and prior public health experience working with the Border Health Foundation, she developed and managed federal, state and foundation funded community-based programs at the US-Mexico border. 

Patty manages 34 staff members at the Mariposa Community Health Services. At the two story Sierra building, they have the Health & Social Services staff under the management leadership of Yara Castro. Castro primarily manages the women's programs such as the Well Woman Health Check, Maternal & Child Health and Patient Advocacy.

She has implemented numerous health education programs on breast cancer, diabetes, physical activity and nutrition, HIV/AIDS, tobacco use prevention, asthma, environmental health and maternal child health. Molina designed education and training materials on public and preventative health issues, while establishing numerous community-based projects. 

Mrs. Molina facilitated the development of project organizational structure and leadership. She facilitated group processes among community members to help identify needs, gaps in service, existing resources and response strategies. She also serves as the lead in various research projects at Mariposa Community Health Center.

An initiative she is currently working is helping to manage the pandemic,  while continuing to provide the best care. “Our goal is to keep our patients safe, this continues to be our main priority. We are working closely with our local health department to ensure vaccination to all who wish to receive it while continuing to educate on the importance of keeping themselves safe regardless of having received the vaccine. We continue to encourage people to get vaccinated, wear a mask, wash their hands and practice social distance,” said Molina. 

This why we felt as a team that Mrs. Molina is a rising star in the healthcare industry. Congratulations! We wish you continued success. You showed us how valuable you all are to our community!  

 Congratulations to Lutheran Social Service for being selected as the organization of the year! Our community has continued to benefit from the services and support provided last year by your organization. Despite the pandemic, your organization continued to provide in-home care. Your organization has gone beyond helping those who cannot care for themselves. 

"We put our heart into what we do. Many of our Direct Care Workers have worked with us for more than 15 years. We have an excellent team. The purpose of my position is to support the staff in their work, to connect with the community, and to help people in need. “I enjoy making friends in the community and bringing people together,” said Linda Manjarrez Director of Aging & Disability Services. 

“Our care coordinators make sure to find providers for each referral we get, and of course, to make sure they are a good match. We make sure our clients get the service they need with a worker who provides the best care for them. Our Direct Care Workers provide a variety of services to people in their homes, including personal care, housekeeping services, and so much more” said the Director of Aging & Disability Services.

Lutheran Social Services adjusted to the pandemic by keeping their hours of operation and putting new safety measures in place. We appreciate everything you have done for our vulnerable population throughout this past year. You are and will continue to be "heroes."