LARSO News:
The Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization is working with the University of New Mexico Los Alamos campus, on the Community Internship Collaboration.
LARSO is engaging student intern, Fernando Trujillo, into the world of senior services. “Work, Learn, Earn,” is the UNM-LA program motto, and he has hit the ground running.
As student and mentor work together to create projects and set goals, it was decided that a more formal introduction might be best. Trujillo has a great background studying criminal justice and a wealth of experience. It was decided that he could share his studies and perhaps some history, as a way to bridge an introduction. He will do that next week, with a brief presentation, called, “People Not Prisons,” followed by a question and answer session.
“Our project is working on smart criminal justice reform that puts forth a people not prisons mentality within society, through engaging and educating the community and politicians,” Trujillo said. “When the legislature is in session, we advocate for policies that have the safety of the public in mind, the humane treatment of people stuck in the system, and to challenge the abuses of the system.” One goal is to educate the community on the importance of relationships and second chances.
His work as a board member of the ACLU’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Board for Smart Justice, is the spark for the focus of a presentation 11-11:30 a.m., Tuesday at the Betty Ehart Senior Center.
The project-based internship allows for classroom and real-world experience involving time management, communication and business skills. The project has worked to highlight service areas, allowing the student to work in areas of interest.
While the time period has been only a few weeks, Trujillo has welcomed immersion in the areas of presentation, communication and fundraising, while learning about servant leadership. He will work with the senior centers through early December.
Lunch is available to the community, at 11:30 a.m. for just $10, but reservations must be made before 10 a.m. that day. Chef Ortiz and Remi Rand will be preparing chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, mixed vegetables with a wheat roll, strawberries for dessert, beverages and salad bar are included in the cost. Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and reservations can be made 24 hours a day, at 505.662.8920. Guests are asked to leave the name for each person eating and a contact phone number.
