Roberta has worked with SMEM for many years and has developed many strong relationships with participants, co-workers and community members. She currently works in the Day-habilitation program assisting participants with daily life skills and other fun projects designed specifically for each participant.

An experienced and vibrant part of SMEM’s team, one of the most exciting things in her daily work is “the smiles on the client’s faces.” To be able to enhance another individual’s happiness means the most to Roberta, whether it’s assisting with basic daily living activities, taking participants on outings in the communities or just gardening with them!

One of Roberta’s fondest memories is tending to our greenhouse store in Los Luceros off State Road 68. She recalls how it was like a “big party with a purpose — music playing throughout our greenhouses, with participants and staff all working together on specific tasks, getting the plants ready to be sold in our stores.” Her love of gardening is something she shares with her family at home as well. She and her husband find relaxation and stress relief in tending to their garden at home. They also stay busy with their five grandkids and the year-round sports they all play in.

Roberta has seen many stages of SMEM as an organization, and her love and care are exemplary of what SMEM strives to provide to our community and participants.

Lluvia works overnight shifts in the homes where our participants live.

While working overnight shifts, she is in charge of preparing the house and participants for the coming day and activities. When she does work a day shift, she enjoys doing arts and crafts with the participants and having meaningful interactions with them.

Lluvia was raised in Santa Fe and works as a direct care provider. She began working with SMEM in 2022, and although a relatively new employee, she is familiar with the care and the community SMEM provides. Lluvia’s mother, Marcela, has worked at SMEM for several years and has become a key care provider here. Marcela’s experience and compassion is reflected fully in Lluvia’s attitude and the approach she has to her job responsibilities.

Lluvia also has appreciation and respect for her manager, who, in her words, “always has the participant’s best interests in mind.” She went on to say, “It’s easy to work for a manager that she respects so much.”

Miguel has worked with Santa Maria for several summers. He currently attends NMSU and is home for the summer working with SMEM’s summer maintenance program. This is the first year of the program, with the mission being to hire college students home for the summer to do landscaping, building maintenance and other projects for the facilities. Miguel is helping to keep the homes and offices maintained and beautiful for staff and participants to enjoy. He’s joined by four other students in the program. Previously, Miguel also worked as a front desk administrative assistant with SMEM. He appreciates both roles he’s had at SMEM over the summers, as he values being able to lend a helping hand to whatever the project or task might be. He also appreciates the relative ease of the hiring process and being around familiar faces and friends. Miguel is interested in pursuing a career as a lawyer and he is majoring in political science and philosophy. He’s already completed enough credits to register as a junior after only beginning in his third semester at NMSU! In addition, Miguel enjoys playing sports, off-road vehicles and spending time with friends. SMEM benefits from his “can do” attitude and all the projects he’s helping to get done!