Impact
Health in New Mexico
New Mexico is in a Health Crisis
Recent data from the New Mexico Department of Health indicates a decline in the overall health of New Mexicans compared to over a decade ago.
The need for a focused, long-term approach has never been greater. Anchorum Health Foundation focuses entirely on improving the systemic conditions that affect health.
Here are some of the realities and challenges we face
Approximately 25% of all adults (ages 18-65) in New Mexico make less than the federal poverty level of $20,000 per year, and nearly 1 in 4 adults in New Mexico (ages 18-65) did not complete high school or equivalency.
These New Mexicans are twice as likely to have poorer overall health status, live shorter lives, and have higher incidences of diabetes and substance abuse.
Pre-COVID-19 pandemic, 22.5% of all New Mexican adults (men and women across all regions) suffered from at least one diagnosed mental health disorder. New data shows these numbers are now much worse.
Across all demographics and regions in New Mexico, 30% of students grades 8-12 report they consume alcohol on a weekly basis.
Housing instability is also a major risk factor for students in 9-12 grade with markedly increased incidence of alcohol and drug use, as well as interpersonal violence.
More than 50% of girls and 30% of boys reported persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Since 2020, there has been a 300% increase in suicidal ideation for all New Mexico students (ages 10-18).
Health is More Than Healthcare
While equitable access to quality healthcare is crucial, 80% of a person's health is influenced by factors beyond healthcare - known as social determinants of health.
Among these determinants are socioeconomic indicators such as educational attainment and employment security, behavioral elements like addiction, and environmental factors such as access to affordable housing. At Anchorum Health Foundation, we are focused on systemic change that will alter these social determinants that affect the health outcomes of our people and communities.
Our Strategy
Uniting Communities with Real Solutions
Anchorum is dedicated to improving the conditions influencing people’s health throughout New Mexico—and it is why we plan to invest our resources in three strategic areas: prevention, access, and opportunities.
Prevention
We seek ways to address prevention of:
- Addiction
- Disease
- Unhoused
- Suicidal Ideation/Suicide
Access
We strive to provide access to:
- Primary Care (maintain or increase)
- Specialty Care (maintain or increase)
- Behavioral Health (increase or build)
- Healthy Aging
Opportunities
We invest in opportunities for:
- Promoting Healthy Behaviors
- Expanding Affordable Housing
- Improving Educational Attainment
- Increasing Workforce Learning
Current Projects
Transformational, Not Transactional
See how we’re investing in our community's health through prevention, access, and opportunities, in partnership with anchor organizations. Our focus is on being transformational—not transactional.
Our Investment of $3.5 million has been matched by more than
Supportive Housing in Santa Fe
In Santa Fe, there are more than 350 individuals who are currently unhoused. We know that everyone does better if they have a place to call home.
Anchorum purchased The Lamplighter Inn, a 1960’s motor lodge on Cerrillos Road. Our investment of $3.5 million has been matched by more than $9 million of investment from governmental partners including the City of Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, and the State of New Mexico, along with nonprofit partners The Life Link and the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness. Following a renovation, the Lamplighter Inn will become Bella Luz Apartments, and will provide 58 families and individuals with permanent and supportive housing units.
This was a community-wide effort of proven partners to make the new Bella Luz Apartments possible in Santa Fe.
Reimagining Recovery
CHRISTUS St. Vincent was surging with drug overdoses and it quickly became evident that a hospital is an inadequate setting for detoxification and recovery. Collaborating with our partners at the hospital and Santa Fe Recovery, we revamped Santa Fe Recovery from a purely social detox model to include a residential facility. The new Santa Fe Recovery now houses up to 30 individuals for extended stays, ensuring comprehensive support as they embark on their path to lasting sobriety.
The seamless hand-off from CHRISTUS’s Emergency Room to Santa Fe Recovery provides 24/7 access to care for patients and families in crisis. In addition to our innovative thought leadership, Anchorum awarded multi-year grants totaling $500,000 to Santa Fe Recovery. These funds were instrumental to transforming its nonprofit business model, empowering it to emerge as a comprehensive center serving both social and medical needs in our region.
Anchorum provided Santa Fe Recovery with multi-year grants totaling
Anchorum invested
in the Community Catalyst Fund
A Catalyst for Affordable Housing
In 2018, Homewise, one of our valued partners, proposed the concept of establishing a dynamic community development fund focused on advancing affordable housing initiatives in our region. Recognizing the importance of this endeavor, Anchorum committed $5 million to the creation of the Community Catalyst Fund. Collaborating closely with Homewise, we embarked on a mission to rally additional partners dedicated to the cause of affordable housing.
Enterprise Bank & Trust quickly followed suit, matching our initial investment of $5 million, and was soon joined by New Mexico Bank & Trust. Today, Community Catalyst Fund boasts participation from over half a dozen investors, collectively deploying upwards of $20 million in community-based investments. Thanks to this collaboration, more than 180 townhomes, patio homes, and single-family residences are taking shape, with an estimated 1,000 additional homes slated for development over the next seven years.
The success of Community Catalyst Fund underscores the power of our partnerships with both for-profit and non-profit entities in realizing meaningful change in our community.
Building a Strong Financial Foundation
Since 2012, Anchorum has been instrumental in facilitating home ownership opportunities for employees of CHRISTUS St. Vincent Hospital through our collaboration with Homewise. Through a robust investment of $4 million in the Homewise Workforce Assistance program, we've empowered over 155 participants, including nurses, medical technicians, and other hospital staff, to realize their dream of owning a home. This support encompassed down-payment assistance, mortgage financing, and access to a range of financial literacy programs.
Our partnership has seen 358 employees enroll in the Savings Program, resulting in the issuance of over $137,000 in reward funds to date. These initiatives, in tandem with Homewise, not only provide local workforce members with avenues to achieve home ownership, but also equip them with the tools needed to strengthen their financial well-being and access affordable housing options.
in reward funds has been issued to participating employees