CEO

Shelley began working with human trafficking survivors back in 2011, and then in 2018 she stepped into the role of CEO for New Mexico Dream Center. She feels so honored to be able to help create programming for survivors to receive care and services. New Mexico has a lot of room for growth in awareness, service provision, and legislation when it comes to the crime of human trafficking, and she loves being able to help the state move forward in this important human rights issue. She believes that NMDC is a truly responsive agency to the needs of the community and client population, and she is so proud of NMDC’s small staff that does so many BIG things!

Psalm 147:3, He [God] heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.

COO & Director of Programming

As the Chief Operations Officer and Director of Programming, Abby has the opportunity to oversee all direct services provided by NMDC. She started as a volunteer in the early days of the organization, increasing her involvement as the years went on. As her role grew, she drew from her experience working with the disenfranchised population and formal education specializing in attachment theory. Her favorite part of working with the New Mexico Dream Center is getting to see the growth and healing journey of the incredible and resilient individuals NMDC works with. Her goal is to ensure every person who walks into the building knows their worth and that their future is bright. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her son, doing jigsaw puzzles, and exercising before the sun comes up.

CCO & Community Outreach Coordinator

Birga had the opportunity to interview Shelley on a radio program in 2014, and continued to stay connected with New Mexico Dream Center through both broadcast and nonprofit platforms. After all these years supporting the organization externally, she is excited to join the staff of NMDC as of October 2023. Birga has a passion for community connection and wants to see NMDC become a known and valued resource. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, writing, podcasting, and walking her dogs.

Eliza Jane Care Coordinator

Heidi has lived in Albuquerque since he was 8 years old and has always been fond of the sense of community that Albuquerque has. With a degree in psychology and many years working in child care, people are Heidi’s passion. She believes that every child has a right to pursue happiness and be safe in their community.

Eliza Jane Assistant Program Manager

Ashley was raised in the Colorado Front Range, but has lived in Albuquerque for the past six years and is here to stay. She feels led to do good in this world that can sometimes seem like a dark place. She hopes to help others live freely and with hope, which is why she joined the New Mexico Dream Center team in 2023. In her spare time, she enjoys cheering on her three kids at their various activities, sewing, and listening to podcasts.

”Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Eliza Jane Support Staff

Through her position at New Mexico Dream Center, Sarah hopes to make a positive impact on the community where she’s building her home and family. Due to her background and experience, she believes she can make a difference in the lives of those she crosses paths with at work.

Eliza Jane Support Staff

Alicia is originally from Albuquerque and joined the NMDC team in 2023. She is passionate about exhorting others to find their voice and live out an abundant life. She wants to be able to show human trafficking survivors that they are seen and valued. Her hobbies include reading, writing, hiking, photography, and playing the ukulele.

”There is nothing worth living for, unless it is worth dying for.” -Elizabeth Elliot

Facility Maintenance

Denise began working at the New Mexico Dream Center at the beginning of 2023. She loves cleaning so she feels this job is perfect for her. Denise loves the people at NMDC and enjoys making it nice for everyone. She appreciates coming to work because it’s a lovely place to be. In her spare time, Denise’s favorite thing to do is spend time with her grandson.

Harbour Staff

Shaun was born in El Paso, TX but has lived most of his life right here in Albuquerque. In 2023, he began working with unhoused young people at the Harbour. His biggest motivators for this job are his relationship with Jesus and his desire to redeem some of his past. He loves the idea of helping others as a means of serving Jesus. Shaun’s hobbies include watching football, fishing, reading, watching movies, solving puzzles, and serving at church.

Intern

Born and raised in Albuquerque, Kalya has a tremendous love for her community. She received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and is currently working on her Master's in Social Work. She has experience working in the child welfare sector of social services and is also currently employed at a non-profit organization. Shelley gave a presentation at her place of work about NMDC, and it shocked Kayla to learn how prevalent trafficking is in New Mexico. So she pursued an internship at the NMDC and wants to learn more about this issue in hopes of being part of the change in this state.

Front Desk Office Administrator

Cynthia is proud to work at NMDC because it is an organization that is highly passionate about making an impact. She is looking forward to learning more about how sex trafficking works so she can be a part of ending it in New Mexico. Her favorite thing to do in her free time is to go on hikes or travel.

Direct Outreach Coordinator

Emma began working for NMDC in 2022 as the Statewide Services Liaison Assistant for the REACH Project, a resource mapping project with the NM Attorney General’s office. She loves the team here at NMDC and the work that the organization does. It's amazing to work for an organization that actually makes change happen while taking care of and supporting each other. Her favorite part of her job is getting to talk to different organizations throughout the state. Often they feel so relieved to find other organizations that want to give them support and work collaboratively together. It's so fun to be the one to reach out and begin to build those bridges. She is passionate because she believes in building bridges that help improve the lives of the very people we exist to help.

Finance Specialist

Sonora started as an intern in September 2021 and was then hired on as the Statewide Liaison in October of the same year. She loves working at the New Mexico Dream Center because she knows the work will leave an impact on this state and help those that are the most vulnerable. Her favorite part of her job is traveling the state to meet with different agencies that are working to help the children and youth of New Mexico. She is passionate about her work because the NMDC is working to make a difference in our state and more importantly in the lives of our clients.

Acts 20:35 "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Lead Case Manager

Amanda started as a Case Manager at New Mexico Dream Center in February 2023. Her experience working with mental health patients and domestic violence victims has helped her get to where she is today. She found her passion in helping individuals that struggled to help themselves on their worst days. Her main goal is to build strong, safe, and trustworthy relationships filled with honesty and support to reassure her clients that they have someone in their corner that they can rely on. She is excited to be her client's biggest cheerleader to help and be there every step of the way through their journey.

Case Manager

Originally from Albuquerque, Sarah joined the New Mexico Dream Center team in 2023. She believes we can make our city a better place by building up our community. She has a strong desire to make a difference and leave this world better than she found it. In her spare time, Sarah loves hiking and spending time with her dogs and family.

”Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Ghandi

Eliza Jane Support Staff

Born and raised in Albuquerque, NM, Jaline is pursuing her education at the University of New Mexico and is passionate about helping her community and giving back. She believes everyone deserves to be helped and given a second chance. She's excited to get the chance to be a resource to the Spanish-speaking community by helping with translation. In her free time, Jaline loves hiking, reading, and spending time with her family. 

“Por muy larga que sea la tormenta, el sol siempre vuelve a brillar entre las nubes” - Khalil Gibran

Harbour Case Manager and Eliza Jane Support Staff

Jessica began her tenure at the New Mexico Dream Center in 2023 as a case manager and an administrator at the Harbour. She’s currently pursuing a degree in social work and believes everyone has the right to basic physical and mental resources. Her role at NMDC ensures that she’s able to support people in accessing those resources to the best of her ability. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, reading, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her cats.

Eliza Jane Program Manager

Michelle started working with the youth population in group home environments back in 2014. Michelle became passionate about helping vulnerable children regain their lives back through life skills and counseling. In 2021, Michelle returned to school to focus on addiction studies. She gained experience counseling adults and youth in addiction and became a case manager who works with the homeless population. In 2023, Michelle joined the NMDC team as a case manager to work with youth homelessness and trafficking. Michelle is passionate about helping others and enjoys working with the NMDC team who have the same goals.

Eliza Jane Support Staff

Born and raised in Albuquerque, Alondra is passionate about others. She is glad that, together with NMDC, she can make a difference in the fight against human trafficking. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two little girls and taking walks in the Bosque.

”There is no greater nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life.” -Mary Rose McGeady

Intern

Nicole is currently a social work student pursuing her BSW because she has always had a passion for helping people cope with and understand their complex trauma. She grew up in a non-diverse and rigid city, so advocacy for marginalized groups has also been an area of interest for her, and she believes the work done at the NMDC will introduce her to experiences that go beyond a textbook. She has 4 children who are her pride and joy, and she wants to contribute to changing the world they are going to grow up in. 

Harbour Staff Lead

Cody started out as a volunteer at New Mexico Dream Center and a year later came on staff. He likes working at NMDC because he believes in the organization’s willingness to help the community and the passion the staff has for changing New Mexico for the better. He believes he’s called to help support youth change and grow, and he loves watching them take what they have learned at The Harbour and implement it in their daily lives. Outside his work at NMDC, he likes to work on jewelry, be in the mountains, and play video games.

“Faith brings light into darkness.”

Office Pup

At NMDC, Grace likes working towards a bigger mission within her community. While her friends work hard to address trafficking in their community, Grace assists staff with stress and anxiousness, while bringing cheer to the office. Grace's favorite part of her job is being able to zoom through the offices, welcoming everyone when they come in for work. Grace is passionate about ending human trafficking in New Mexico because as an underdog herself, she wants to empower others to overcome and thrive while creating safe friendships. In her free time, Grace enjoys napping, playing with her toy squirrel, and snacking on her favorite bone.