Milestones listed below which include legislative appropriations were brought to our community courtesy of the following legislators; Senator Rod Adair, Senator Tim Jennings, Representative Dub Williams, Representative Nora Espinoza and Representative Dan Foley. Also, many thanks to Governor and First Lady Richardson, for their tremendous support of the Nest domestic violence shelter.

2005

• June – formed HEAL, elected Board Members and drafted bylaws
• July – Incorporated;  Plans for the $425,000 Capital Outlay appropriation;  Named the shelter “The Nest”
• August – Received official 501(c) 3 status from the IRS; Awarded $20,000 from Hubbard Foundation for a state-of-the art security system
• September –Pitch Energy loan of $450,000; Purchased building.  Governor Richardson attended our Dedication Ceremony.
• October – First HEAL benefit “Survivor” at the Spencer Theater – it recorded the highest decibels of audience applause of any Spencer performance
• November – Hired Contractors; Began Phase I renovation on The Nest
• December – Received a $95,000 award through CYFD for general operations

2006

• January – Announced “Adopt A Room” program to assist with furnishing rooms for residents - total raised to date is over $50,000
• February – Notified of another Capital Outlay award of $325,000 plus another $95,000 for operating through CYFD
• March – Completed Phase I of renovations
• April – Elected Associate Member, New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• May – Hired Coleen Widell, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
• June - Notified of an award from CYFD of $256,000 to provide direct client services at the Nest
• July – HEAL musical benefit “Survivor II: Rain” was held at the Spencer Theater; Sale of building to Lincoln County; Second year grant award from Hubbard Foundation for $5,000; Timely payback on note from Pitch Energy and corporate gift of $27,250
• August – Renovations resume at The Nest
• September – Purchased two adjoining lots for secured parking
• October – Hired Finance Director
• November – Received an enormous $200,000 gift from Pitch Energy, a $15,000 grant from the Attorney General’s Office for office and shelter computers and $20,000 from the Mary Kay Ash Foundation
• December – Hired Shelter Manager, Mary Kihega. Received a $10,000 grant award from the HEALy Foundation of Taos. Entered final phases of shelter renovation and ordered shelter furnishings, hired remaining shelter staff.

2007

• January – Developed shelter policies.  Conducted 40 hour in-house staff training.  Staff saturated the community and service providers with HEAL brochures.
• February – Completed renovation of the Nest.  Hosted community staging at the shelter during which several churches, organizations, businesses and the youth from Camp Sierra Blanca put together bunk beds, rocking chairs and children’s toys.
• March – The Nest opened its doors!  2007 Legislative Session resulted in a Capital Outlay appropriation of $275,000 and operations funding of $239,700
• April – Adopted a Strategic Plan for HEAL
• May – Extension of a sequel $256,000 contract with CYFD for providing shelter services at the Nest
• July – The third installment of “Survivor” was held at the Spencer Theater; HEAL entered into one year contract with Lincoln County to fund a Victim’s Advocate position
• September - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR elected to the board of directors for the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence, affording HEAL a state presence
• October  - A Luncheon to Remember with Denise Brown was a sell-out at the Ruidoso Convention Center, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month
• November – Ongoing issues with a single-family septic system resulted in a substantial amendment in the budget;  HEAL to privately fund a new sewer system
• December – The first Christmas at the Nest; Community flooded HEAL with gifts for residents, especially the children

2008

• January – Lobbying in Santa Fe during 2008 Legislative Session results in $105,000 Capital Outlay appropriation and $208,800 in operations funding
• February – The Nest is finally connected to the city sewer system at a cost of $215,000, lifting the capacity restriction at the Nest; the first Newsletter for Volunteers is created and distributed; Staff submitted six additional grants requesting funding for program expansion at the Nest
• March – One year anniversary of opening was celebrated by HEAL board members, staff and residents in the front room of the Nest;  $214,000 invoice for sewer connection received and paid out of Capital Outlay funds; Notified of $512,400 CYFD funding in a four-year-recurring grant for residential services at the Nest
• April – Congresswoman Heather Wilson and Senator Rod Adair visited the Nest to hear staff concerns regarding dissipating federal funding for domestic violence shelters
• May – First Annual Staff Educational Retreat was held for ongoing training of professional shelter staff.  Also, the “HEAL the HEALers” Staff Retreat was provided courtesy of High Mesa HEALing Center
• June –HEAL hosted its inaugural Board Retreat to thank departing charter board members, welcome new board members and celebrate the accomplishments of opening the Nest 
• July –EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR elected as Vice President of the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence, continuing HEAL’s presence statewide
• August – HEAL hosted its inaugural “Law Enforcement Appreciation Day” with a tour of the Nest domestic violence shelter.  This event was attended by every police agency in Lincoln County
• September – Sierra Blanca Motors completed its first annual fundraiser for the Nest - “Drive away in a new car from Sierra Blanca Motors and help drive domestic violence out of Lincoln County” – resulting in a donation of $7,600.  HEAL also hosted a “LCMC Appreciation Day” to honor all emergency medical staff who assist our residents.
• October – Survivor IV was held at Mt. Annie’s as a 1950’s traditional Sock Hop.  Our 3rd annual Candlelight Vigil was held in the shelter to honor victim survivors of domestic violence, to mourn those we have lost and to celebrate the advocates who work tirelessly to end violence.  Also hosted first annual awareness event, “A Walk in Her Shoes” and “Heels for HEAL.”