Press Releases

VILLANUEVA, N.M. — Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) joined community leaders, local families, and philanthropic partners in Villanueva, NM, to celebrate a $562,500 federal Community Project Funding investment for the El Valle Community Center and Library she secured. With music, food, and some big checks, the community celebrated the successful completion of matching funds that will help bring critical renovations and improvements to the historic center.

Leger Fernández secured the $562,500 investment through the FY24 Community Project Funding process. Since coming to Congress, she has delivered more than $124 million in Community Project Funding for projects across New Mexico.

“Being here, surrounded by music and laughter, among people who care about the community, gives me hope,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “When we talk about rural New Mexico, we are really talking about home. Places like this are the beating hearts of Nuevo Mexico, where families gather to celebrate weddings and baptisms, share food, or play basketball, and where children discover new worlds through books. This investment is about more than fixing a building — it’s about protecting culture, preserving community, and building a brighter future for Villanueva. That’s why we had to bring this funding home. I also want to shout out the partners who made this funding possible. The Masons inspired our revolutionary leaders 250 years ago, and their ethics of altruism shine through today. The Las Vegas Community Foundation has shown up in times of disaster and celebration, and Pattern Energy is not just powering our energy future — they’re investing in the very communities where their turbines capture the wind. ”

The El Valle Community Center provides essential services for rural families, including literacy tutoring and library programming for local students, free computer and internet access, a community food pantry, yoga, art classes, a farmers market, and meeting spaces for residents across the region. If a community member has an idea, El Valle will turn it into a reality.  

The total $750,000 project will fund major repairs and upgrades to the community center, including a roof replacement or refurbishment, accessibility improvements, insulation, window repairs, and infrastructure upgrades that will allow the center to continue serving families across the San Miguel del Vado Land Grant communities.

“Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández spent much of her childhood in the valley with her extended family. She understands the needs of this and other remote communities that lack access to basic needs services,” said Patricia M. Gallegos, Founder and Honorary Board Member of the El Valle Community Center. “She is passionate about community development, cultural preservation, and rural education. With this award, EVCC is able to help the center become an example of community self-sufficiency and a hub for the underprivileged remote community.”

To meet the required funding match, the center received support from several philanthropic organizations, including $30,000 from the Masonic Charity Foundation of New Mexico, $30,000 from the Las Vegas Community Foundation/Anchorum, and $141,680 from Pattern Energy.

“Pattern Energy is honored to support the El Valle Community Center and the meaningful work its team is doing in Villanueva,” said Jeremy Turner, Senior Director of New Mexico Development and Strategy for Pattern Energy. “We are grateful to build on that track record alongside Congresswoman Leger Fernández, whose leadership helped the Center unlock these additional funds, and we look forward to seeing it move into its next chapter.”

The El Valle Community Center has served the region since 1998 and operates out of the former Villanueva Elementary School building. The center serves residents from Villanueva, Ribera, San Miguel, El Pueblo, Sena, El Cerrito, Gonzalez Ranch, Leyba, and surrounding communities.

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