Another Way Forward: Grassroots Solutions from New Mexico

by Dede Feldman

Overview

Another Way Forward: Grassroots Solutions from New Mexico offers hope to anyone discouraged by the nation’s inability to tackle problems like poverty and health care. Award-winning author and former Senator Dede Feldman profiles innovative organizations and inspiring local leaders who are changing the world in New Mexico, one neighborhood, one clinic, one classroom at a time. She shows us what they have in common and how we can join in to make a difference from the bottom up. Feldman’s alternative path to community and economic development leads through food hubs, land trusts, fire departments, outdoor classrooms, and immersive art experiences. Along the way the reader meets asparagus farmers, EMTs, neighborhood hellraisers, radical teachers, health care reformers and social entrepreneurs. Together, these resourceful citizens are drawing a roadmap to permanent jobs and healthy communities, something that often eludes national and state officials.

It "illustrates the capacity of social entrepreneurs to tackle tough problems — with modest resources but ample creativity and determination. The solutions emerging across New Mexico have lessons to teach at the local and global levels. For anyone who seeks to build a better world starting from where they live, this book provides excellent guidance and inspiration.”--David Bornstein, author, How to Change the World and co-founder, Solutions Journalism Network

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780999586402
Publisher:	Dede Feldman Co.
Publication date:	11/20/2017
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.67(d)

About the Author

Known as one of New Mexico's most progressive leaders, Dede Feldman represented the North Valley of Albuquerque in the State Senate for 16 years. A former journalist and teacher, she is the author of Inside the New Mexico Senate: Boots, Suits and Citizens, a winner of two book awards from the National Federation of Press Women and the Arizona New Mexico Book Awards Program. With a BA and MA from the University of Pennsylvania, Dede is currently a political commentator and non-profit consultant in Albuquerque, where she continues to live in the solar adobe home she and her husband Mark built in 1976.

Table of Contents

Another Way Forward: Table of Contents

Preface—

Real Change Comes From the Bottom Up .......................................... vii

Part One—

Another Way Forward: Solutions from the Grassroots .......................... 1

Chapter 1 Introduction………………………………………..……3

Chapter 2 Project Echo: Disrupting the Medical System

System to Restore Hope to Rural Patients

and Joy to Burned-out Practitioners......................... 11

Chapter 3 Planting the Seeds for Community Health

and Viable Local Food Systems................................. 21

Chapter 4 Preserving Traditional Communities:

How Neighborhood Hell-Raisers Became

Innovative Housing Developers................................ 43

Part Two---

Reinventing Health Care in New Mexico .............................................. 59

Chapter 5 Reaching Beyond the Clinic Walls: First Choice Community Healthcare…63

Chapter 6 Using Tradition to Build a Healthy Community in Jemez Pueblo…75

Chapter 7 A Model for Rural Health Care Takes Root in Old Mining District…85

Part Three—

Reshuffling the Deck: A New Kind of Healthcare

Workforce for New Mexico ..................................................................... 95

Chapter 8 Community Health Workers: Solving Patients’ Problems, Developing New

Career Pathways ........................................................ 99

Chapter 9 Community Paramedics in Santa Fe

Look Beyond 911 Calls............................................ 107

Chapter 10 Growing Your Own in Southwestern

New Mexico: Mandolin Player Has Cultivated

Crop of Doctors, Health Professionals .................. 115

Part Four—

Connecting New Mexico’s Youth With Our

Prime Asset: The Great Outdoors......................................................... 123

Chapter 11 Wild Friends: Unique Civics Program

Helps Students Find Their Voice

While Standing up for Wildlife ................................ 125

Chapter 12 Cliff Crawford’s Cottonwood Seedlings:

The Bosque Ecosystem

Monitoring Program (BEMP) ................................ 133

Chapter 13 Rocky Mountain Youth Corps,

Youth Conservation Programs Inspire

Motley Crews to Give Back and Build the Foundation for Healthy Communities................... 143

Part Five—

Growing the Middle Class—One Family at a Time ........................... 155

Chapter 14 Prosperity Works’ Approach to

Poverty Addresses Root Causes ............................. 157

Chapter 15 Southwest Creations Collaborative Combines Business and Social Mission in a Small Albuquerque Factory ............................................... 167

Part Six---

Chapter 16 Grassroots Efforts Get New Mexico Kids into College—

Against the Odds..................................................................................... 177

Chapter 16 Closing the College Gap: Getting Low-Income

Kids Into College One Student at a Time .............. 179

Part 7 Creative Enterprise Unleashes a New Kind of Economic Animal....191

Chapter17 Meow Wolf: Together We Can Build Spectacular Worlds.....193

Conclusion Social Entrepreneurs, Change Makers at the Grassroots Level Have Left A Map to a New Kind of Society...203

Acknowledgments....203

Endnotes..... 221

Index....231

Editorial Reviews

“After her decades on the front lines of progressive change in New Mexico, Senator Dede Feldman recognizes that many of the best ideas to move our state forward are homegrown. This uplifting book offers not only well-deserved appreciation to many community champions and change agents. It also serves as a call to action to each of us to engage in making New Mexico a better place to call home.”

Senator Martin Heinrich, United States Senator from New Mexico

“…illustrates the capacity of social entrepreneurs to tackle tough problems — with modest resources but ample creativity and determination. The solutions emerging across New Mexico have lessons to teach at the local and global levels. For anyone who seeks to build a better world starting from where they live, this book provides excellent guidance and inspiration.”

David Bornstein, author, How to Change the World and co-founder, Solutions Journalism Network

"Dede Feldman is at it again, with a new book reminding us that real change comes from the bottom up. She shares the secrets of grassroots change makers in New Mexico, showing how ordinary people everywhere can create extraordinary solutions.”

Jim Hightower, populist author, public speaker, radio commentator, and editor of The Hightower Lowdown

“If you want to change New Mexico from the bottom up buy this book and read it—cover to cover! Dede Feldman chronicles local heroes, innovative startups, social entrepreneurs and persistent problem-solvers who work for everyday New Mexicans… It’s a source of inspiration and a practical guide to action.”

Alan Webber, Co-founder Fast Company magazine

“…former Senator Dede Feldman continues to shape our political future by showing how people all across New Mexico are creating solutions when those in power fail to step up and do so. .... Anyone who is losing hope for New Mexico – and the nation - should read this reminder that together, we can make a difference.”

Tim Keller, New Mexico State Auditor

“…highlights community-led, innovative solutions to improving health and making progress on other critical priorities in New Mexico. The stories represent only a few of the nonprofits, groups and individuals—our unsung heroes—working to make this a better place. We hope people across the state will gain insight and feel inspired by these stories that focus on our greatest asset, our people. ¡Sí Se Puede!”

Dolores E. Roybal, Executive Director, Con Alma Health Foundation

“Dede Feldman’s Another Way Forward is realistically optimistic about New Mexico’s future…New Mexicans increasingly realize that, instead of cutting taxes for corporations and the well-off… we must invest in, encourage and support our own people, like the wonderful New Mexico ‘social entrepreneurs’ Feldman spotlights in this highly worthwhile book.”

Former U. S. Senator Fred Harris, UNM professor emeritus of political science, and editor of New Mexico 2050.

From the Publisher