Organization Overview

Southwest Creations Collaborative (SCC) is 31-year-old women-driven contract manufacturing social enterprise with a mission to alleviate poverty and build economic and educational opportunity across generations. Implementing a holistic and family-centered approach, SCC provides dignified employment while also improving access to education for children and adults. In our Albuquerque-based production facility, we produce sewn soft goods and hand-crafted products while providing knitting, assembly, and packaging services. Developing and implementing proven two generation strategies in family engagement, early childhood development, employability, and college readiness, we incorporate popular education to address the root causes related to poverty in our community.

 Hacia: Toward the University- A Project of Southwest Creations

Hacia: Toward the University (Hacia) implements Southwest Creations’ best practices to impact a much greater number of families in addition to those we can employ in our market-driven social enterprise. This two- generation family engagement program inspires and supports whole families as they navigate the pipeline from pre-k to higher education. Hacia builds an intergenerational culture of engagement and lifelong learning.

Hacia grew out of SCC’s daycare program. Children were thriving in the on-site childcare but then were facing many challenges in the public schools. Hacia was created in response to the barriers SCC members were facing in navigating their children’s education. Soon it expanded to serve families throughout Albuquerque as well as many APS educators and schools. 

Now Hacia is a family engagement program that has worked with over 5,000 Albuquerque families and hundreds of teachers to build Latinx families’ trust, agency, and engagement in schools and to bolster teachers’ connection and communication with families. Hacia’s team is led by first generation college graduates who have overcome barriers to engagement and educational success themselves -- many are graduates of the program. In the last school year, Hacia participants had a 98% high school graduation rate and a 95% college acceptance rate. Ninety-two percent are first generation college go-ers and 95% are eligible for free and reduced lunch. 

Hacia: Toward the University works alongside families building education, social-emotional support, and economic empowerment. As a grassroots organization, we focus on serving vulnerable populations and addressing poverty and inequality's root causes. Our family-centered approach recognizes that strong families enable individuals to thrive. The Hacia team currently works with 800 families in Albuquerque and has plans to greatly expand its impact over the next 10 years.

Hacia Facilitator Job Description

The Hacia Facilitator is a full-time salaried position reporting directly to the Hacia Project Manager. The Hacia Facilitator works primarily with Pre-K to 12th grade students and their families and will be trained intensely to facilitate family workshops and success plans. Evening and/or weekend work required as needed to accommodate the schedule of families in Hacia. The first months of the position will be training in all aspects of Southwest Creations and Hacia: Toward the University project and will require working on other tasks with the team to implement and execute Hacia’s strategic plan and achieve the stated goals. After training, the Facilitator will:

• Coordinate and facilitate workshops for Hacia students and families.

• Lead Hacia student and family recruitment and engagement.

• Manage family data for the purpose of case management and program evaluation.

• Provide students and families with the resources and tools they need to navigate the education system.

• Recruit and engage Hacia families in Success Planning and workshops.

• Support team members based on availability and needs.

• Represent Hacia and SCC in social, professional and foundation events/presentations.

Preferred Experience, Abilities, Skills, Other Experience:

• Experience and passion for working with students and their families.

• Experience and passion working with families to achieve their goals.

• Experience and passion for working with Hispanic/Latinx communities.

• A strong background and enthusiasm for education, coupled with hands-on experience in the field.

Abilities/Skills:

• Ability to adapt, solve problems and think critically and strategically.

• Ability to manage confidential information from families.

• Fluency in English and Spanish (both written and spoken).

• Strong level of professionalism and work ethic

• Strong facilitation and community outreach skills.

• Strong organizational skills and detail oriented.

• Ability to work towards project goals individually and with team support.

• Excellent communication skills in technical writing, reporting and public speaking.

• Fluency creating PowerPoint, Prezi, and working with Microsoft Word/Excel and Zoom.

• Ability to work in a flexible, high-energy environment.

Other

• A bachelor’s degree in education

• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to and passion for the Hacia mission

• The ability to make a 2-year commitment to the organization.

• The ability to pass an APS background check.

• A valid NM driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Salary and Benefits

SCC is a proud, equal opportunity, family-friendly employer that simultaneously promotes work-life balance and accountability to our community and mission. The salary for the Hacia Facilitator position is competitive and based upon experience. Benefits include:

• 10 days of paid personal leave after 6 months

• 8 days of paid sick leave

• 5 paid holidays

• Monthly Health Insurance stipend

• On-site childcare for $.25 per hour (based on availability) and Buena Fe benefits.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Interested candidates should submit:

• A cover letter. The letter should be in English and Spanish and no more than 1-page TOTAL.

• A résumé

• All materials should be submitted to Hacia Project Manager, Karen Perez Karen@southwestcreations.com

Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. The position is estimated to begin March 2025

Hacia in Action! Join our Team!

SCC Video https://youtu.be/j7NwCUQH488

Hacia Family Video https://youtu.be/_LkJdmrsHA4