Encuentro NM

10/21/2026

🎉 Bidding is ON for NMILC & Encuentro’s Virtual Quinceañera Silent Auction!

Even if you aren't attending our Quinceañera Gala on October 24, you can still participate and place your bids online from anywhere!

Check out over two dozen unique packages, local experiences, and gifts from wonderful New Mexico businesses, including:

🧘‍♀️ Wellness Retreat Package: Hot tub session at Betty’s Baths, acupuncture or massage at Mountain Spirit Integrative Medicine, and unlimited classes at Bhava Yoga Studio.
🥟 Taiwanese Dumpling Making Experience: A private cooking session for 6 with NMILC Co-Deputy Director Alice Liu McCoy.
🎨 Arts & Crafts Bundle: Workshops with The Groove Artspace, KellyJo Designs, and Dovetail Community Workshop.
🍻 Night Life Package: Brewery tour at Tractor Brewery, performance tickets at Outpost Performance Space, and drinks at Flock of Moons Brewery.
🗻 New Mexico Getaways: Trips to Ojo Caliente, Ojo Santa Fe, Madrid, NM, and a "Taos with Teague" ski weekend!
and so much more!

Every bid directly fuels legal services, education, advocacy, and economic opportunity for immigrant families across New Mexico.

🗓️ Bidding ends: Monday, October 26

🔗 Browse and place your bids: https://nmilc.auctionsnap.com/20260528ecb9cd56-9b17-44ad-adfa-7690b567da0b/auction-items

10/21/2026

Thank you to our Libertad Sponsors!

The Anixter Family,
Bruce Thompson Law Firm, PC
Doris Goodwin Walbridge Foundation
W.K. Kellogg Foundation

The sponsors of the Quince Gala allow us to continue fighting for immigrant justice and provide services to our communities.

10/20/2026

We want to recognize some of the generous sponsors of our upcoming Quinceañera gala. At a time when immigrant communities continue to face uncertainty and fear, this Quinceañera is both a celebration and a statement that our community is strong, resilient, and united – even in the face of injustice. We are grateful to our sponsors for demonstrating what is possible when we stand together, rooted by culture, joy, and collective care.

Thank you to our Justicia sponsors: Bernalillo County Commissioners Barbara Baca (District 1), Commissioner Frank A. Baca (District 2), and Commission Chair Adriann Barboa (District 3).

10/13/2026

✨ Stories of Encuentro: 15 Years of Impact

Continuing our series, we celebrate Guillermina, an Encuentro student since 2017. She came to learn English and found learning, encouragement, and a community where she feels she belongs.

Her story reflects what we’ve built together over 15 years: a place where immigrant families can learn, build confidence, and grow through every stage of their journey.

💛 Invest in the next 15 years. Your support helps sustain the learning, connections, and opportunities that make stories like Guillermina’s possible: https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=8e807780-4263-4729-b869-a045a42f3db9

10/10/2026

✨ 15 years of learning, belonging, and opportunity.

Encuentro’s journey is shaped by the people who walk through our doors—their dreams, determination, and the possibilities they create for their families and communities.

Maluisa’s reflection reminds us that learning goes beyond gaining skills. It builds confidence, opens doors, and helps us care for one another.

As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we’re sharing "Stories of Encuentro", honoring the students and graduates who bring our mission to life.

Invest in the next 15 years: https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=8e807780-4263-4729-b869-a045a42f3db9

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

15 years!🙌

Andrea Plaza has been there from the beginning, watching Encuentro grow alongside a community that has shaped who we are and what we do.

This year, Encuentro and NMILC are both turning 15. That means we get to celebrate a shared history, years of working side by side, and the many people who have been part of the journey.

Two organizations. One big quinceañera.

We’ve come a long way. Celebrate with us at our joint Quince gala celebration!

October 24, 2026 at Sandia Casino 5:00-10:00 pm
Tickets are still available – get them before they are gone: https://www.nmilc.org/quince

10/03/2026

✨ 15 years of building community power together.

Encuentro and the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center began their journeys in the same building in 2010. This October, we’re coming together again for a Quinceañera to celebrate the people who have shaped 15 years of learning, advocacy, and immigrant justice in New Mexico.

Join us for an evening of stories, dinner, music, dancing, and community. We’ll also hear a special conversation with journalist Maria Hinojosa and executive directors Andrea Plaza and Teague González about the past, present, and future of immigrant justice.

Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 Sandia Resort & Casino

As Andrea shared, this celebration is our chance to say a collective ¡GRACIAS! 💜

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now: [nmilc.org/quince](https://nmilc.org/quince)

Come celebrate with us—and help carry this work forward.

10/02/2026

¡Esta semana celebramos Spirit Week en Encuentro!🙌

Desde el día de jersey y nuestra época favorita hasta el día de filtros y pijamas, estudiantes y equipo compartimos una semana llena de creatividad y risas.

Esta celebración ya es parte de nuestra tradición: una oportunidad para conectar, fortalecer nuestras relaciones y disfrutar de la comunidad que construimos juntos.

¡Gracias a quienes participaron!

09/24/2026

Pat Bonilla recently turned 75 and transformed her birthday into a remarkable gift for Encuentro.

Those who have spent time in our classrooms can attest to the dedication and compassion Pat brings to our students. With years of experience teaching English as a second language, she embodies a deep commitment to supporting Encuentro and immigrant families.

When it came time to celebrate with loved ones and the Encuentro community last Saturday, Pat made a heartfelt request: instead of gifts, please contribute to Encuentro.

The result was extraordinary—over $10,000 raised to further our mission! 🎊

Pat, your years of teaching, encouragement, and belief in our students inspire us all. What a joy it was to celebrate your 75th birthday!

Let’s honor Pat's legacy by making a donation to Encuentro in her name: https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=12a235f3-4a37-4bb0-88b0-c673ad40821e
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Pat Bonilla cumplió 75 años y convirtió su cumpleaños en un regalo muy especial para Encuentro. 💛

Quienes han compartido un salón de clases con Pat conocen la dedicación y el cariño que brinda a nuestros estudiantes. Después de años enseñando inglés como segundo idioma, sigue demostrando su compromiso con Encuentro y con las familias inmigrantes.

Cuando llegó el momento de celebrar con sus seres queridos y la comunidad de Encuentro el sábado pasado, Pat hizo una petición de corazón: en lugar de regalos, invitó a sus seres queridos a donar a Encuentro.

¿El resultado? ¡Más de $10,000 recaudados para apoyar nuestra misión!

Pat, tus años de enseñanza, tus palabras de aliento y la confianza que depositas en nuestros estudiantes nos inspiran. ¡Qué alegría haber celebrado contigo tus 75 años!

Sigamos celebrando a Pat: haz una donación a Encuentro en su honor: https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=12a235f3-4a37-4bb0-88b0-c673ad40821e