First Nations Joins Prosperity Works to Envision an Economically Secure New Mexico

First Nations Development Institute Joins Prosperity Works to Envision an Economically Secure New Mexico

LONGMONT, Colorado (May 16, 2013) – Today, 27 percent of New Mexico’s families are living in “asset poverty,” which means they don't have the savings necessary to live at the poverty level for three months if they lost their income. Prosperity Works, a New Mexico nonprofit organization, is working to end poverty.  It has been demonstrated that families achieve greater economic security when they are able to turn cash into a solid future.

Over the course of the next several months, national leaders – including First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) based in Longmont, Colorado – will come together with local leaders in New Mexico and imagine a new future – a future that opens the door to economic security in all communities.

“First Nations is participating in this project because we support the mission of Prosperity Works and are eager to join in a visioning session to imagine a new future,” said Sarah Dewees, senior director of research, policy and asset-building programs at First Nations.  “We hope we can lend our experience to this important discussion about asset-building policies and programs in New Mexico.”

A series of think-tank discussions began in early 2013 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.   Representatives from First Nations, Opportunity to Assets, New Mexico in Depth, The Aspen Institute, and New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union are among the national and community leaders taking part in the upcoming discussion on “Accessible, affordable, and applicable financial products.”

Ona Porter, president and CEO of Prosperity Works, commented: “Designing a system that provides avenues for savings over the lifespan is essential to the economic security of New Mexico’s households. We’re bringing in leaders and scholars from around the nation to offer insight on ending poverty in New Mexico. We hope to learn from their experience, not to replicate their models but to create opportunities applicable for our state.”

Learn more at www.prosperityworks.net, or follow the discussions on Twitter @ProsperityWork or hash tag #NMCSA.

About First Nations Development Institute
For more than 30 years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change, and capitalizing American Indian communities, First Nations has been working to restore Native American control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own – be they land, human potential, cultural heritage or natural resources – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native American communities.  First Nations serves Native communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.firstnations.org, “like” First Nations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FirstNationsDevelopmentInstitute, or follow First Nations on Twitter @FNDI303.

About Prosperity Works
Prosperity Works partners with organizations across the state so that every New Mexican has the opportunity, knowledge and relationships to achieve prosperity.  The work of the organization is to create and deliver a change model that leads participants to become empowered; to lead other organizations to become change masters; and to lead policymakers to commit to creating pathways and taking action that enhance the public's empowerment.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Randy Blauvelt, First Nations Senior Communications Officer
Office: (303) 774-7836
Mobile: (303) 915-2579
Email: rblauvelt@firstnations.org