The University of New Mexico (UNM) announced the Little Lobo Holiday Wish Fund, sponsored by the UNM Dean of Students Office and Children's Campus, has been initiated this winter. The fund aims to support student parents by raising $10,000 for distribution as $100 gift cards to 100 Lobo families as a holiday gesture.
The initiative is designed to operate within a fixed timeline to benefit families. Support for the Little Lobo Holiday Wish Fund is open until Dec. 11, allowing UNM student parents sufficient time to purchase special gifts for their children. Given that student parents represent approximately 22% of college campus populations nationwide, the fund is dedicated to providing relief for UNM student parents during this time of year, according to a press release by UNM.
Moving onto the sentiment behind the initiative, "Little Lobos was started to honor and support all of our students who are also parents and managing two extremely important jobs," said Nasha Torrez, UNM dean of students, according to a press release by UNM. "My mom was a single mom who got her Master’s at UNM while raising my sister and I, I know first-hand what a huge difference this will make in showing some love to all the children who cheer on their parents as they work to advance the family through continued education."
Shifting focus towards the organizers, The Dean of Students Office is dedicated to fostering student success through a supportive institutional approach that values integrity, empathy, transparency, and innovation. Through their knowledge of UNM's landscape, they educate students about resources and collaborate with the university community, according to the Dean of Students Office website.
Adding context regarding the role of the UNM Children's Campus, The UNM Children's Campus for Early Care and Education (UNMCC), operating under UNM Student Affairs, relies on student fees as well as State and Federal grants for support. The Campus serves the children of UNM's student, staff, and faculty parents, and additionally functions as a venue for UNM student and faculty research, observation, and practicum activities, according to the UNMCC.
