Change warriors
History & Identity
Change Warriors aim to expand protections for all children and families through child welfare reform through a bimonthly workgroup that builds community, shares lived experiences, crafts messaging and creates legislative priorities shared during the 2024 legislative session.
Facilitated by Bold Futures staff, this group includes community leaders with firsthand experience with the child welfare system, former NM Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) workers, representatives from key organizations such as the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native American Women, NM Child Action Network and the NM Tribal ICWA Consortium. Change Warriors create and facilitate public education opportunities for decision makers and the broader public, attend state and national conferences to share their knowledge and learn from others, and engage in healing and community building with one another.
stories & events
Change Warriors is building an intersectional and interdisciplinary child welfare movement, collaborating with leaders and partners to highlight their expertise and deeper insight into the history behind the child welfare system.
This resulted in eight workshops designed for our Child Welfare Core group, which included information on interconnected issues such as substance use, pregnancy, parenting, and opportunities for healing and creativity. This curriculum design serves as an opportunity for community capacity building and organizing, youth development and policy advocacy.
Bold Futures staff and Child Welfare leaders has proudly contributed to an instrumental overview of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, helping elected officials and decision-makers understand New Mexicans' demand for policy change implementation regarding substance use.
Additionally, the Workgroup has also engaged in individual and collective healing activities, as members confront the harmful systems that have directly impacted them and their families.