Bethany’s title is Youth & Family Programs Director, but her job encompasses so much more than that.
Bethany is an El Paso native and has been with Ciudad Nueva since she and her husband moved back to the area in 2013. You can read about her education and qualifications on our staff page. Bethany brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her job, but the most important quality she brings to Ciudad Nueva is her passion for seeing the community come together to solve problems and meet needs.
“It is my great passion to help cultivate spaces where our neighbors can walk confidently in the truth that they are individually and all together made in the image of God,” says Bethany. “And also that God has gifted them, both individually and collectively, with strengths and abilities that can be used to impact our community in significant ways.”
Bringing her passion to life
Bethany truly lives out that passion as she seeks to develop the leaders all around her. That includes Ciudad Nueva staff and volunteers, as well as the members of the community she works with through our various programs.
On a day-to-day basis, you might find Bethany meeting with all of those people, helping guide different programs, and providing direction and encouragement. She also spends time writing and managing grants for the organization. Like everyone around here, you will often find her helping out during the Launch Pad and Kids Create programs, where extra hands are always needed.
Another project she is currently working on is gathering and organizing data through focus groups about many of our programs so that we can continually look for ways to improve and to ensure the programs are meeting the needs of the families and children.
Building on each success
One of Bethany’s favorite things about being the Youth & Family Programs Director has been seeing some of her neighbors and friends at Ciudad Nueva truly come into their own in leadership and creativity. It’s her desire that community members, staff members, and volunteers all see themselves as partners in addressing needs and desires in the community.
“I love being able to see the neighborhood adults and young adults become passionate and empowered about loving and serving their community,” says Bethany. “I also love it when they know that they have a voice here and can be heard.”
Bethany was recently interviewed by one of Ciudad Nueva’s funding partners, TMF Stewarding Potential, about this very subject, and she discussed how to accomplish this:
“In some cases, this involves training, helping to both identify those God-given strengths and then helping to add tools to their toolbox, equipping them with additional skills to serve their families and community. In others, it might simply mean giving an encouraging word.”
You can read the full article here. One place where this leadership has truly taken off is in the food co-op where Bethany is now trying to keep up with the community leaders and their ideas for improvement and growth.
Outside of the “office”
Bethany is married to Adrian, and they have three children under the age of four that keep her busy and full of joy when she isn’t working. When she does have a little free time, you will find her playing the guitar, singing, leading worship at church, crafting, or creating jewelry.
Would you like to get involved in a community that loves and cares for one another? We would love to have you as part of ours. Call us today at 915-521-2951 or contact us online.
