On Friday, December 18, 2016, in honor of International Migrants Day, the Refugee Mentoring Project convened a delegation of refugee mentors and Albuquerque-based refugees to visit Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry's and Governor Susana Martinez's offices as well as visit Albuquerque Civic Plaza and the NM State Capitol in  Santa Fe.  

 

We also took a tour of the State Capitol, had lunch at the famous Tomasita's restaurant, visited the offices of the  NM State Refugee Coordinator, and viewed the current exhibit at the Gallery of Conscience at the International Folk Art Museum.  

 

We went bearing gifts for the Mayor and the Governor in the hopes of humanizing the current rhetoric about refugees and affirming the desire of refugees to make a brilliant future for themselves in the United  States.  

 

Though the Mayor and Governor were  not able to meet with us,  we delivered our gifts nonetheless and briefly spoke to city and state representatives. A great outing was had by all.