Looking out across New Mexico is a good reminder that when hope is lost, people are too. It’s easy to feel like nothing will ever change. You turn on the news and see the same stories over and over—another crisis, another fight, another family struggling. We see the poverty all around us, the broken systems, the way families are barely getting by. And after a while, it’s tempting to believe it will always be this way. That nothing will ever change.
But the truth is, this isn’t the end of the story. We haven’t lost, we’ve just forgotten how to hope.
Hope doesn’t mean ignoring what’s wrong. It doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine. Real hope is about seeing the problems clearly, but choosing to believe they can change. It’s choosing to act, even when it’s hard or we don’t want to. Hope is what keeps us showing up for our kids, our churches, and our communities.
The problem is, a lot of us are tired. And when we’re tired, it’s easy to believe the lie that nothing we do matters.
Here in New Mexico, we know what it feels like to be overlooked. We’re often ranked near the bottom in things like education and child well-being. But we also know the power of close-knit communities, strong families, and deep faith. We’ve seen what happens when people come together, not just to complain, but to care for our neighbors.
We’ve seen neighbors rally to help a family in need. We’ve seen churches open their doors to single moms, foster kids, and people who’ve lost hope. We’ve seen parents speak up for their children, even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s what real hope looks like. And it still lives here.
Sometimes, all it takes is a space where people feel safe, welcome, and seen. A place where families can laugh together, learn something new, or just be reminded that they’re not alone. That they matter. That someone cares.
When we make space for that kind of connection, we do more than just build community—we build courage.
Hope grows when we remind each other what’s still worth fighting for. When we choose to show up even when we’re tired. When we believe that our small actions—teaching our kids, helping a neighbor, speaking truth—can lead to something bigger.
Things might feel broken right now. But New Mexico is still full of people who care. People who believe faith has a place in public life. People who want their families to thrive. People who know that love, truth, and courage are still stronger than fear.
So if you’ve been feeling discouraged—don’t give up. You’re not alone. And you’re not powerless.
And if you want to make a difference - if you want to help bring hope to families across the state - step up and make it happen. Volunteer. Donate. Or start small: ask your neighbors how they’re doing, make a meal for someone in need, or organize a local food drive. Every gesture, big or small, makes an impact. And it all starts with regular people who decide to show up.
We can’t fix everything overnight, but we can start by showing up and by choosing hope over despair. By building something good, right here in our neighborhoods, schools, and churches.
Because hope is still needed in New Mexico. And so are you.
Jodi Hendricks is the Executive Director of the New Mexico Family Action Movement.
