AARP New Mexico Celebrates Move to Albuquerque

The AARP New Mexico State Office has moved to Albuquerque, and you’re invited to the party! After 23 years in Santa Fe, the office transitioned to Albuquerque in March and will be having a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony, Thursday, June 20. The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce will be facilitating the special event.

“We loved our time in Santa Fe, especially being so close to the Legislature during the January Session, but it became clear that we could do more and reach more people by being centrally located in the state,” said Joseph P. Roybal-Sanchez, “and that meant moving to Albuquerque.”

Despite the move, Roybal-Sanchez wants to assure people in the northern communities that they won’t be ignored and will still be a critical part of AARP’s focus.

“We have a dedicated team of volunteers and staff that will continue our work in Santa Fe, taking part in such events as Spanish and Indian Markets and Pancakes on the Plaza as well as fun activities like AARP’s Movies for Grownups. We are also working with the city on its efforts to become part of the AARP Livable Communities program. None of that work will change,” Roybal-Sanchez said.

“And of course, we will still have a very visible presence at the State Legislature, working hard to pass legislation that not only helps older New Mexicans but their families as well,” he said.

Like Santa Fe, Las Cruces and Carlsbad also have active AARP volunteers that provide AARP resources and information to their communities.

“Being in Albuquerque will also allow us to connect a little better with our southern neighbors,” Roybal-Sanchez said.

“The new office will let us connect directly with more community groups and organizations so that we can effectively identify how we can work together and where AARP’s expertise and resources can best serve New Mexicans, not only in the state’s largest city but leverage those resources to benefit our rural communities as well,” he said.

The new office consists of 5,400 square feet including an extensive main conference room and smaller board room, that the organization is making available to other community groups to use, and houses AARP’s seven paid staff members. There are currently 100 active volunteers that work across the state on AARP’s behalf in their communities.

The Grand Opening will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony promptly at 1:15 p.m. to follow. To attend, register at https://events.aarp.org/June20GrandOpening

For questions or more information, call Beth Velasquez. AARP New Mexico Associate State Director for Communications, at 505-490-3174.