For over 100 years, the McCurdy Ministries Community Center in New Mexico, an EngageMI Ministry Partner, has shared educational ministries to help students and families succeed in school and life.

KAY DEMOSS
Michigan Conference Communications

It’s been 112 years since a deaconess from Texas, Mellie Perkins, learned Spanish and convinced The United Brethren Church to open a school in Velarde, New Mexico. When her Spanish teacher, Edith McCurdy, died a few years later, Edith’s parents donated $1,000 to help open a second school in her memory. The Edith M. McCurdy Mission would one day become the McCurdy Ministries Community Center. Thousands of children and youth have been educated there over that century-plus.

Since 1968, McCurdy has been supported by The United Methodist Church. For years, it was a featured project in the Six Lanes of the Advance of the West Michigan Conference. McCurdy is now a Ministry Partner of the Michigan Conference’s EngageMI mission engagement program.

MMCC’s website states: McCurdy also helped start the area’s first medical clinic, nursing program, fire department, hospital, community recreation program, and post-secondary education program. Residents of the valley frequently say, “We don’t know what this valley would be like without McCurdy!”

The original school closed in 2012 and then reopened as a charter school of the New Mexico Public Schools. The church donated eight acres and two buildings to the charter school in 2017. At that time, McCurdy Schools of Northern New Mexico began operating under the name McCurdy Ministries Community Center. The institution continues as a nonprofit National Mission Institution of The United Methodist Church, “still striving to make God’s difference in the Española Valley.”

Success Is the Goal

McCurdy is an Advance Special of the General Board of Global Ministries #581479. Their goal is “Sharing educational ministries to help students and families succeed in school and in life.” Hope and empowerment are central to their efforts.

McCurdy is located 28 miles north of Santa Fe in Española, New Mexico. The people of this region are a blending of Pueblo, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures; 87% of the population is Hispanic. The area is described this way on their Advance webpage: Española has the highest death by heroin overdose rate and one of the highest high school dropout rates in the United States. In addition, 60% of children are being raised by their grandparents, 28% of the population lives under the Federal Poverty Line, and 25% of adults over 25 have not graduated from high school or have a GED.

Their programs aim to lower the high school dropout rate and increase the numbers of adults who have graduated from high school or competed a GED. It is hoped that such educational achievements will result in fewer parents being incarcerated or dead due to gang violence or drug abuse. Lower poverty and economic development also follow when children, youth, and adults have access to opportunities for learning.  

Five Ministries and New Dreams

McCurdy Ministries Community Center (MMCC) supports the students and families of McCurdy Charter School by providing free mental health counseling, after school care, New Mexico Pre-K, summer camp, and adult education programs. MMCC’s executive director, Rev Tiffany Hollums, notes, “We have exciting new ministries, as well as long established ways that truly shine a ‘light in the valley.’”

• • After School Care: Fun, educational and faith-based activities help keep students safe after they leave their classrooms for the day. MMCC can care for up to 45 pre-school through 6th grade students every school day. Staff and volunteers engage children through free play, snacks, games, arts and crafts, drama, and Bible study.
  • Locker #505 McCurdy: This is the newest ministry on campus, providing free clothing, school supplies, toiletries, shoes, books, and toys. At Locker #505, “each child and teen senses they are precious and loved.” Back to school 2024 happened with dignity and excitement thanks to Locker #505.
  • Summer Camp: This annual two-week experience is open to K-6 graders. The 2024 theme of Camp Stars was “Monumental” with a focus on God’s amazing creation. The cost was $70 per student, with scholarships available.
  • Pre-K program: This program is funded by the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department and is offered free to families. The program runs from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday from September to mid-May. Families have opportunities to become involved in the education of these four-year-olds.
  • Project Cariño: Since 1984, Project Cariño has provided therapy free of charge to McCurdy Ministries Community Center and McCurdy Charter School students and their families. Staff includes two full-time therapists and student interns from area colleges. Big Buddy/Little Buddy mentoring, Celebrate Survival retreats, and support groups for grief and anti-bullying are part of these services.

McCurdy Ministries Community Center has some dreams, too. They hope to expand their educational reach by opening three new ministry centers for adults, teens, and children. MMCC also wants to add a kitchen and dining facility to their current retreat center. MMCC and two United Methodist congregations in their area have a vision for a ministry called Wednesday Comunidad that would offer a midweek family meal and faith-based programming for all ages.

You Can Help

Would you like your mission leaders to know more about McCurdy? An interactive Zoom session can be arranged by contacting Executive Director Tiffany Hollums at [email protected].

Michigan churches may remit financial contributions to the work of McCurdy Ministries Community Center with their monthly Ministry Shares payment using the Ministry Shares Remittance Form. Or give online here.

Those wishing to give time and skills have several volunteer options. MMCC welcomes both teams and individuals to their campus from mid-February until mid-November. Click here to find full details at the Volunteer drop-down menu. Director Hollums remarks, “I would encourage anyone to come and volunteer at McCurdy. The beauty of the Rio Grande valley is truly remarkable. The people you will meet will change your life, even as you make a difference for Christ in their lives.”

• • Long term individual volunteers stay on campus for two weeks to a year. These volunteers become auxiliary staff. Individual volunteers must be Safe Sanctuary certified and volunteer 30 hours a week. Volunteers stay in the retreat center at no cost. Work varies by interest and skill, including maintenance and administration to helping with after school activities or summer camp. Click here to download the Long-Term Individual Volunteer Handbook. Click here to download Safe Sanctuary Training instructions.
  • Volunteers in Mission (VIM) teams and Early Response Teams (ERTs) come to McCurdy usually for a week at a time to help in classrooms with maintenance, construction, administration, and office work. It’s also possible to become involved in classroom programming. There are tasks for every ability, energy level, and interest. All volunteer team members must be Safe Sanctuary certified. Lodging is provided.

Learn more by signing up for MMCC’s Volunteer Blast Newsletter. Call their volunteer registrar, Eufemia Romero, at 505-753-7221 or email her at [email protected].

MMCC calls the Española Valley and McCurdy “two of God’s ‘thin places’ where it is easy to hear, feel, and see God’s love at work.” They invite you to join the miracle of people from their New Mexico community and around the country, who are part of a tradition working together to make a difference since 1912.

Rev. Hollums remembers, “I first heard about McCurdy when I was a young girl eavesdropping on my mother’s United Methodist Women’s circle.” She concludes, “Today, I love seeing how God is guiding McCurdy Ministries, showing us the way to share his light in this community where the need is great, but so is the heart!”