Alianza began in 1993 to respond to the need for an HIV resource center in the southeastern communities of New Mexico. Individuals came together to help with the questions, fear, and pain that many faced at the time. Shortly after, in 1996, Alianza began outreach to bring attention to the need for syringe exchange programs for those who inject substances. With an initial response of nearly 400 people who inject substances and their allies, it was clear that sharing needles was far too common. In 2012, Alianza celebrated the opening of a second office location in Las Cruces, NM.
What began as a support group transformed through the hard work of many hands over the years to become a multi-operational and diversified organization serving the needs of many.
We lovingly operate support groups and educational group interventions to encourage conversation about difficult topics. We offer a food assistance program, on-site medical clinic, transportation assistance for medical appointments, health insurance navigation and more.
We run stigma-free syringe exchanges, free HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C testing without any judgement, and a PrEP linkage program that guides people in need to the prevention methods that work for them. Our MAT (medication assisted treatment) linkage helps healthcare providers be able to use evidence-based treatments for people who use substances while also providing people who use substances information they can use to find treatment.
We operate housing assistance for qualifying individuals throughout New Mexico to see people moving from the streets in to homes that foster healthier living opportunities. Funding from federal and state sources allows applications to receive rental assistance, utility assistance, and more.
Ryan Nix — Ryan.nix@alianzanm.org
Ryan has been with Alianza of New Mexico since 2018, and has an extensive background in HIV services and prevention. Ryan directly implemented several prevention and outreach programs including: CRCS, venue based testing/outreach programs, care coordination, Ryan White Support Service Programs and multiple DEBI interventions. Ryan was selected as a scholar to the prestigious CDC Institute for Prevention Leadership in Atlanta and has been trained in numerous outreach and prevention curricula. He has managed direct federal grants, federal pass through and state funded grant projects for several non-profits. He has co-authored numerous academic papers and has worked in the field of HIV Services since 2001. Ryan currently lives in Roswell and loves spending time with his family and friends.
Jennifer Reyes — Jennifer.reyes@alianzanm.org
Jennifer joined Alianza after working in property management for almost four years. Originally from Texas, she has lived in New Mexico for that last 28 years she has over 21 years of finance experience. Associates in Accounting certificates in Accounting Fundamentals and Business Concepts. Both of these positions have allowed her to help people in different areas of their life. She feels it is a great privilege to be able to help people in need. She is looking forward to bringing her experience in helping and working with people to Alianza.
Norma Avina — norma.a@alianzanm.org
Patricia Trujillo — patricia.trujillo@alianzanm.org
Patricia "Trish" Trujillo started working at Alianza of New Mexico in March 2023 as the ESG/HOME Housing Coordinator. In this role, she provides professional-level service coordination and case management for families experiencing homelessness and living in permanent supportive housing who are at risk of becoming homeless. Her case management focuses on helping families achieve increased housing stability and self-sufficiency by assessing and implementing services based on their needs and goal plans. The supportive housing programs serve families with the greatest barriers, assisting them in reaching their greatest successes.
Artemio Almaraz Zamora — art.almaraz@alianzanm.org
Artemio Almaraz Zamora is currently working as a Prevention Educator for Alianza of New Mexico. Artemio will be receiving his Bachelors of Public Heath on December 2020 from the New Mexico State University. Artemio will be in charge of Harm Reduction and Prevention which includes harm reduction services, rapid HIV/HCV testing, Many Men Many Voices (3MV), Healthy Relationships, Social Network Strategies (SNS). Artemio has a passion for reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS and wishes to make a difference in the LGBTQ community. Artemio is currently living in Roswell NM, and loves being part of Alianza of New Mexico.
Belle Fierro — belle.fierro@alianzanm.org
Belle Fierro holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health from New Mexico State University and is a certified Master Project Manager through the American Academy of Project Management. Belle has over ten years of experience in disease prevention, case management, and health promotion with an emphasis on people living with HIV, individuals who inject substances, and high-risk populations with co-occurring substance use issues. Belle is certified in HIV/HCV Testing and Harm Reduction and Overdose Response. She aims to build meaningful relationships and utilize available networks to provide coordinated and comprehensive medical case management services to enrolled participants. Belle is knowledgeable about community resources and deeply passionate about the people she serves. She is excited to connect clients to helpful resources and advocate for their care alongside her amazing Alianza teammates.
Jesse Hernandez
Jesse Hernandez (she/her) has over a decade of experience in social work. Jesse has worked in residential treatment for children, shelter for youth experiencing homelessness and low barrier adult emergency shelter, high risk child protection investigations, HIV medical case management, hospital leadership, and community nonprofit settings. Jesse has developed specialized skills in community engagement, leadership development, population health, social determinants of health, data-driven results-based assessments and cross sector collaborations. Jesse received her master’s degree in social work at the University of Denver and returned home to New Mexico where the needs so greatly outweigh resources to live out her dream of having land and animals. She now lives with her husband in Dexter where they raise alpacas, bees, goats, chickens, and turkeys.
Jesus Altamirano — jesus.altamirano@alianzanm.org
Jesus Altamirano brings over 10 years of experience from the health care profession to those we serve. He is truly passionate about providing services to those in need and is excited to be a part of the team here at Alianza. Jesus has a drive to make a difference, especially in the LGBTQ community, through my role in dissimilation of information and education about prevention of HIV and other sexually transmittable diseases. Jesus lives in Las Cruces and loves hiking and working out.
Teryn Lem — teryn.lem@alianzanm.org
Teryn has been working with Alianza since September of 2014. She started working in the Roswell office where she started out as a bookkeeper. After two years of bookkeeping she realized that she wanted to do more and applied for the Prevention Educator position in Las Cruces. Her move to Las Cruces happened October 2016 and says that was one of the best things that could happen for her. She is a co-chair for the Southwest regional group (SWAG), and is certified in rapid HIV/HCV testing and counseling, Harm Reduction, Train the Trainer, 3MV, and Mpowerment.
