New Mexico Symphonic Chorus, 1210 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, US

Albuquerque Partnership: PhilosophyAlbuquerque Partnership is a community-based organization that works with neighborhood organizations and individuals for community improvement. We do this by building relationships among individuals, organizations, government, other agencies, and neighborhood groups.We help by providing training, giving technical assistance, and sharing resources with our communities. We encourage all residents, especially youth, to get involved with their communities.Our focus is within the boundaries of Bernalillo County and the City of Albuquerque. Presently, The Partnership is working with 17 neighborhood associations from the Trumbull/La Mesa area to the Westside, with Alamosa and West Mesa associations. In the South Valley, we are an active member of the South Valley Coalition of Neighborhood Associations. Our basic question always is: "How can we improve our families and neighborhoods through education, safety, economic development, better jobs, and at the same time, reduce negative behaviors such as crime, violence, and drug abuse?"The Partnership also works with all our community members to improve our educational system. To this end, The Partnership helps communities get involved in their local schools, create after-school enrichment programs, and make system-wide changes through legislative initiatives and active participation in schools.The primary purpose of Albuquerque Partnership is to create a healthy community by protecting young people from risk-taking behaviors and promoting their healthy development. The Partnership provides youth opportunities for empowerment by initiating training and activities that develop young people's skills and by including them in the planning and implementation of prevention activities. It establishes prevention strategies in ten neighborhoods and targets all forms of drug abuse including the use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and inhalants. Neighborhood groups and individuals are involved in the planning and implementation of prevention activities specific to each area needs. Educational commitment is emphasized through the development of an educational reform infrastructure which address issues related to retention, dropout and absenteeism, school safety, student learning and parent participation.The Partnership serves Bernalillo County and is comprised of multiple Agencies, individuals, organizations and neighborhood groups. It provides a comprehensive system of prevention services that is Community driven, Strategically focused, research based and culturally relevant. The Partnership has provided services to Bernalillo County for thirteen years.As a result of the Partnership efforts, a cadre of trained, capable Prevention advocates has been created in each Neighborhood. Evaluation and Assessment has lead to the development of realistic, multiple, and measurable long-term goals. Collaboration has supported the process of resource identification, made linkages between systems, coordinated implementation of activities, and created high level of commitment to and participation in prevention efforts of systems at all levels. The activities have contributed to the health, safety, and economic well being of people, reduced incidence of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and increased parent and community involvement in the education improvement of young people. The Partnership has been instrumental In the implementation of policy change that reduces crime and restricts access to alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs at the State, City, and Local level.