New Mexico's Human Services Department projects that by 2030, over 40% of the population in Bernalillo County will be more than 60 years old. Agnes Vallejos, Albuquerque's Senior Affairs Department's Strategic Program Manager, noted that due to extended life expectancy and delayed retirement ages, a significant number of these older adults are actively seeking opportunities and engagement. Vallejos went on to say:
“How do I extend because maybe I’m not ready to retire or maybe I’m not able to retire because of the economy? We have a lot of grandparents raising grandchildren, they need to work part-time.”
Paula Getz established NM NEW with the goal of aiding adults aged older than 50 as they look to reenter the workforce by offering entrepreneurship and mentoring opportunities. According to her, maintaining active involvement in the community not only contributes to the physical and mental well-being of older adults, but also addresses the labor shortage and positively impacts the economy. Programs like this one can be shared using brochure printing.
CNM Ingenuity, known for offering boot camps and training courses to help individuals acquire essential workforce skills, will join forces with NM-NEW, enabling them to reach a broader audience and create an even greater impact.