Enlace Comunitario is more than just a domestic violence service provider in Central New Mexico; a beacon of hope and support, fostering resilience and empowerment within Central New Mexico’s Latine and immigrant communities. They are not just addressing domestic violence but also transforming lives one family at a time. Since its inception in 2000, Enlace Comunitario has focused on meeting the critical needs of domestic violence survivors, particularly within the Spanish-speaking immigrant community. The organization’s holistic approach to intervention includes crisis intervention, case management, housing assistance, therapy, life skills and parenting classes, financial capability training, workforce development support and legal services. On the prevention side, Enlace Comunitario operates at both community and household levels, offering support groups, leadership development training and educational outreach.
Over the years, the organization has remained steadfast in its mission to provide culturally and linguistically tailored services while extending support to any domestic violence survivor in need. When 1 in 4 women and 1 in 3 men in New Mexico will experience domestic violence and 1 in 4 violent crimes in ABQ involve domestic violence, the services are necessary.
What sets Enlace Comunitario apart is its staff. Remarkably, 20% of the staff are former clients, who bring an invaluable perspective of relatability and trust to their work. Many staff members have personal experience with domestic violence, enhancing their cultural acuity and their ability to connect deeply with the community they serve. This lived experience is crucial, especially when addressing the multifaceted and intergenerational nature of domestic violence.
“Enlace trains Latine and immigrant youth witnesses and/or survivors of domestic violence to become peer educators. All participants are volunteers (ages 13-17), and many are former Enlace clients,” shares Matt Mirarchi, Director of Advancement & Operations. The Youth Leaders program not only builds leadership and networking skills but also promotes healthy, gender-affirming relationships among peers, significantly reducing the likelihood of youth engaging in domestic violence-affiliated behaviors such as gang involvement or teen dating violence. This program’s success is evident; area charter schools eagerly host these programs and many more schools are on a waitlist, highlighting the community’s demand for these vital classes.
Each year, Enlace Comunitario delivers direct intervention services to over 650 families, extending its impact further through community outreach and educational programs. The organization’s capacity has increased in each department, allowing them to formalize and expand three critical programs: housing assistance, immigration support and workforce development.
Housing is a fundamental need, and Enlace Comunitario’s program provides up to two years of housing assistance, addressing a crucial gap for survivors. The immigration program, honed over the years, is awaiting U.S. Department of Justice accreditation for Enlace and their paralegal, who will become a U.S. Department of Justice representative to assist with U.S. visas and Violence Against Women Act cases. These programs are designed to position clients for self-sustainability, an essential step in their journey towards reclaiming their lives.
“The work is iterative—it takes a long time,” Mirarchi reflects. “Through therapy, legal support, workforce development and understanding how abuse manifests—it’s not just physical. That’s something we see time and time again—survivors recognize the extent to which they had been denied power in certain areas of their lives. To see them reclaim that power on their own terms, and to support them on their terms is incredibly rewarding.”
The impact of Enlace Comunitario’s work is profound. They recently closed a four-year-long legal case for a client seeking custody of their children. Mirarchi also recalls a client who recognized unhealthy behaviors in their relationship and, at 80 years old, secured a divorce and removed themselves from that situation. “Every survivor’s timeline is different,” he emphasized.
There is immense pride in witnessing the transformations facilitated by Enlace Comunitario’s direct services team. “There’s such a lack of empathy and compassion and understanding in the world today. We get to see the self-empowered transformation that clients undergo as they get more resources. They develop confidence. Seeing that ripple continues to give us hope.”