Together We Can!
Our Team
CPSW + Tijeras Living Room Model Program Director
Donato Velasco
Donato was born and raised in Santa Fe, NM. Donato had a great upbringing and graduated from St. Michael’s Catholic High School. Shortly after graduating, he was introduced to alcohol and this was the beginning of a long battle with alcohol use and mental health challenges. After receiving his 2nd DWI, he had decided enough was enough. He needed to take action and make the change for a better life. Through hard work, dedication, and unconditional support, Donato now demonstrates 4 1/2 years of sobriety.
Donato soon received his CPSW state certification and continues to champion Peer Support through his work with ACHR. Donato also holds CPSW endorsements for COAPS and Supportive Housing. Donato has assisted ACHR in successfully opening 2 satellite offices to provide Peer Services to the under-served and never-served populations within the Albuquerque Metro area. As a dedicated team member, Donato also assisted in the organization and success of ACHR’s Annual Hero Run 5k, ACHR member events, program presentations, and the creation and implementation of new Peer Support groups.
Through hard work, dedication, and his passion for helping others, Donato had earned his current role as the Tijeras LRM, Imagine Wellness, Program Director. Imagine Wellness is a peer run drop-in center located within the village of Tijeras. Donato strives to help those living with substance use, mental health challenges or co-occurring challenges and is excited to reach a new community.
CPSW + Senior Peer Case Manager
JoeAnn Beatty
JoeAnn Beatty, CPSW is originally from Texas, though she considers herself a New Mexico native as she was raised and lived most of her life in the Land of Enchantment. As a woman who knows first-hand the negative impacts of chronic depression, anxiety, and other disparities, she has made it her life’s work to support others in their unique needs as they traverse challenges and difficulties. Through hard work, the support and care from her family and friends, and her ever-increasing self-agency she has maintained recovery and well-briety for the last 3 years.
Her professional expertise includes working in the medical field to support physicians providing care; assisting community members with procuring medical devices, public benefits, and other supports to attend to their physical health; supporting individuals with navigating insurance benefits through care coordination; childhood education; community development; and leadership of customer service teams. This well-rounded set of skills and her inherent ability to meet people where they are culminated in the preparation for her current role as a Certified Peer Case Manager at the Albuquerque Center for Hope and Recovery. JoeAnn is lending her leadership skills to the development and sustainability of the Senior Peer Case Management program, funded by the Bernalillo County BHI.
After 10 years of living in Africa she is excited to be back in her hometown of Albuquerque, where is closer to her adult son and raising her young daughter.
CPSW
Hazel Archuleta
Hazel Archuleta is a certified Peer Support Specialist. As a Woman who has dedicated the last several years to her own recovery from mental health challenges and substance use disorder, she has found joy in helping others break the cycle of incarceration, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. After years of learning how to trust and forgive herself she learned how to gain self-esteem and self-agency, a gift she is committed to sharing with others, which for a time, mostly included her family members and friends.
Hazel recently decided to take her skills to the larger community and is now supporting dozens of community members through her work as a CPSW in her role at ACHR. She in generous with her smiles, loves to make people laugh, and has come to enjoy the “little things” in life after finding a way to live a full, healthy and recovery-focused life.
Hazel was born and raised in the North Valley of Albuquerque, though she has moved several times throughout the years she always finds her way back home to New Mexico. Through her hard work and determination, she is proud to be able to spend time with her two adult children and her five grandchildren, who are her pride and joy. When she is working on her own by enjoying baseball games, band concerts, and other family outings.
Peer Support Worker + Member Ambassador
Ricky Ponce
Ricky Ponce is a Peer Support Worker for Albuquerque Center for Hope & Recovery. His sobriety date is 8-15-2018, which marks 4 years of sobriety. He was born in Albuquerque with a defect called Spina Bifida. He had a hole in his spine which affected his back, legs, and also with fluid in his brain. He overcame and fought many health issues and pain obstacles. He was raised by a strong mother and an addicted father, who fought his addiction until it eventually took his life through suicide. Ricky has fought his whole life with addiction until he surrendered his life and will to a higher power in 2018. He was bullied as a kid due to his disabilities until he became involved in gangs, which just got him into trouble for many years. His life now consists of working towards helping others in and out of work and taking care of his mother, who has a few health issues. He is trying to give his mother her best life as he is living his. He is enjoying spoiling his many nieces and nephews. His joy comes from making others happy and being of service to others, even with a quick talk. He still struggles with health issues but, the life he lives now outweighs the bad. He is truly blessed with many opportunities.