ANNUAL REPORT
2013
We promote, support, and defend the rights of children and
youth to safe and stable homes, quality education, and
healthcare, and a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
Dear Friends,
Board of Directors
Gaelle D. McConnell, JD
President
Michael L. Mulliniks
Vice President , Treasurer
Barbara Mathis, JD
Secretary
Jorge Alvarado, JD
Aja Brooks, JD
The Hon. Susan M. Conway
(Ret.)
Betul Ozmat, MS
Dan Shapiro, MD, JD
Diane Tadano
Kathryn E. Terry, JD
Executive Director
Liz McGrath, JD
O u r 2 0 1 3 Te nt h A n n i v e r s a r y
celebration was a major milestone that
allowed us to pause and look back at all
we have accomplished over the last ten
years. It was only a brief pause, however,
because the phone kept ringing! Our eyes
were immediately turned to the next ten
years and what we can do for the kids all
over New Mexico who need our help.
The past year has been one of transition
and growth. We reluctantly adjusted to
the move of one of our founding co-directors,
Tara Ford, to California. However, Tara's
continued commitment to Pegasus
enables us to maintain our representation
of children with special needs in special
education cases. We expanded into a new area of work through a contract with
YDI, Inc. to help youth involved in the juvenile justice system get their records
sealed, as well as removing other barriers to employment.
As we move into our second decade as a more mature and seasoned
organization, we are working to widen our impact while maintaining the high
quality of our services. Here are a few areas we will be focusing on:
•
Building our capacity to help families of children who need special
education services
•
Recruiting and training more pro bono attorneys to expand our capacity
to help grandparents obtain guardianship of their grandchildren
•
Legislative initiatives to ensure facilities like Tierra Blanca Ranch are
appropriately licensed and that children in such facilities receive appropriate
care and supervision
• Educating healthcare professionals about when youth have the right to
consent to treatment without a parent or legal guardian
There is still so much work to be done to build a better future for New
Mexico’s children. Your continued and generous support is vital. Thank you for
your commitment to improving the lives of New Mexico’s children!
Gaelle D. McConnell
Board President
Audited Financial Statement Fiscal Year 2013
Revenue: $625,102
Grants
Contracts
Attorney’s Fees
Charitable Donations
$72,877
$402,947
$63,762
$85,516
12%
64%
10%
14%
Program
Management & General
Fundraising
$509,722
$91,808
$15,915
82%
15%
3%
Expenses: $617,445
Who We Are
Liz McGrath
Executive Director
Tara Ford
Legal Director
Lawrence B Kronen
Staff Attorney, KG
Program Director
Grace Spulak
Staff Attorney
Sarah Parks
Staff Attorney
Eileen Casadevall
Paralegal
Cynthia Gibbons
Office Administrator
Jackie Sagastume
Legal Assistant
Farewell to
Sarah Parks
We are very sad to say
good-bye to staff attorney
Sarah Parks who will be
moving with her family
to Ottawa, Canada. After
joining Pegasus in 2012,
Sarah focused her practice
on representing children and youth in foster care,
and young parents in family law matters. It has
been a real joy to watch Sarah develop into a zealous
and effective advocate for her clients. We will miss
her excellent advocacy and her happy, upbeat
presence around the office. We wish you good
luck in Canada, Sarah!
Alex Nafranowicz, Youth
Advocate, Jesuit Volunteer
Alex is completing a year of service
here in Albuquerque through the Jesuit
Volunteer Corps (JVC) and will be at Pegasus
until this coming August. He serves as a
Youth Advocate/Legal Assistant here at
Pegasus and has been a huge help during
his time here. As part of JVC, Alex lives
with 5 other volunteers who work at various
non-profits around Albuquerque. The
JVC volunteers work for a simple monthly
stipend and live in community together. As
Alex’s time here
at Pegasus and in
Albuquerque is
coming to an end
he is sad to be
leaving but excited
to see what is next
for him!
What We Do
Kinship Guardianship: Grandparents raising their grandchildren
without legal guardianship live with the fear that the children can
be taken away at any time. The Kinship Guardianship Program helps
caregivers who are raising children at risk for abuse and/or neglect
because their parents are on drugs or mentally ill. By helping them become
legal guardians under the Kinship Guardianship Act, Pegasus ensures
that the child remains safe and stable in the caregiver’s home until,
hopefully, the child’s parents can care for them once again.
Young Parents: Study after study has shown that
teen parents and their children are at risk for
multiple poor outcomes – poverty, dropping out
of school, incarceration, homelessness, domestic
violence - the list goes on. Too often, young parents
engage in an unhealthy power struggle over their child
that contributes to an unsafe and unstable living
situation for the child. Pegasus helps young parents
establish a court ordered parenting plan that sets out
the rights and responsibilities of both parents. With a
clear parenting plan in place - including child support young parents can focus on building a positive, nurturing
environment in which to raise their child.
Homeless/Runaway Youth: You may not see them on the
streets, but thousands of New Mexico youth, forced
to leave their homes due to abuse and/or neglect,
struggle to rebuild their lives every day. They are
motivated to get their lives back on track but are in a legal
limbo without a parent or legal guardian to authorize the
myriad decisions that hold a child’s life together: school,
healthcare, benefits, living arrangments. Pegasus helps them
negotiate these decisions so they can move on – get back
into school, get copies of the identity documents necessary
for daily life, and, when appropriate, get legally emancipated
so they can live and work independently.
Special Education: Families of children with special needs have
enough problems without having to fight for an appropriate
education for their child. Yet, in New Mexico, children all over
the state are denied their special education rights. Pegasus helps
parents of children with special education needs hold school districts
accountable for complying with federal laws that protect children
with disabilities. Often, the solution is to bring in an expert help to
train teachers on the individual needs of the child. When teachers
learn new skills and children get the right instruction, everyone wins.
Children in Foster Care: When the state removes a child
from abusive or neglectful parents, the child’s world
is turned upsidedown. Children in foster care are plunged
into a new and disorienting world, facing a future filled with
uncertainty. Pegasus staff and contract attorneys help guide
foster children and youth through this new world and make
sure that social workers, judges, and their own parents know
and respect their wishes. Pegasus’ young clients in foster care
know they can count on their attorney to advocate for what’s
best for them and give them a voice in decisions that affect
their lives.
New Program: Face Forward: Helping Juvenile Justice Involved Youth Build a Better Future
Jason* is 19 years old and trying to get his life back on track. In his teens he was in a gang and struggled
with drug abuse. Unfortunately, he was convicted of aggravated assault when he was 16. Now he has passed
the GED test and is taking classes at CNM to get a certificate in Culinary Arts. He needs to support himself,
his girlfriend, and their 18-month-old baby, but is having trouble finding a job. Several employers who seemed
very positive about hiring him initially, never called back after his background check was completed.
Pegasus is partnering with Youth Development, Inc. (YDI) and New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) to
help youth like Jason. Funded by the US Department of Labor,
the Face Forward Project is designed to help youth involved in
the juvenile justice system gain meaningful employment and
educational opportunities.
Through Face Forward, YDI provides services such as GED
classes designed to help youth involved in the Juvenile
Justice System gain employment skills, and Pegasus and
NMLA provide legal representation to youth on issues of
juvenile record sealing and expungement, domestic violence
orders of protection, child support modifications, and driver’s
license restoration. Pegasus is excited to be a part of this new
project and is looking forward to expanding its services to
juvenile justice involved youth.
*Client names and case details have been changed to protect client privacy.
Individual Donors
Dr. Javier Aceves
Ms. Susan Alkema
Dr. and Mrs. Dale Alverson
The Condersons
Ms. Connie Angel
Mr. John Arango
The Hon. Theodore Baca
Ms. Julie M. Baca
The Hon. Marie Baca
Ms. Megan Baldrige
Mrs. Paul Barchowsky
Ms. Laura Bassein
Ms. Agnes Baxter
Dr. and Mrs. Mark L. Berger
Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Biderman
Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Blaugrund
Mr. Kip Bobroff & Ms. Michelle Pfeiffer
Ms. Barbara Boehmke
Ms. Aja Brooks
Mr. Michael B. Browde
Ms. Mary Ellen Capek &
Ms. Sue Hallgarth
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Catasca
The Hon. Gail Chasey
Ms. Leigh Anne Chavez
Ms. I. Nancy Colella & Mr. Peter Klages
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Conner
Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Cronin
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Crowder
Mrs. Alice Cushing
Dr. George Davis
Mr. Philip B. Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Dazzo
Mr. AJ DeForest
The Hon. Diane Denish &
Mr. Herb Denish
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Desiderio
Ms. Barbara Dodge
Ms. Claire Ellen Dudley
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Eisenstadt
Ms. Gretchen Elsner
Ms. Lisa Enfield & Mr. Paul Bardacke
Dr. and Mrs. James F. Fahey Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Flynn-O'Brien
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Ford
Mr. Doug Ford
Mr. Paul E. Frye
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Gagne
Ms. Eleanor Garcia
Mr. and Mrs. William Geer
Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Gelbard
Mr. Kenneth Gibbs & Ms. Cathy Cramer
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Gibbs
Ms. Michelle Giger & Mr. Karl Johnson
Ms. Beth Gillia
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Gonzales
Ms. Haviva Graeber
Ms. Annette Griego
Ms. Suzanne Gutierrez
Ms. Alicia Gutierrez & Mr. Dennis Rivera
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Hart
Ms. Vivian Heyward
Ms. Kari Converse &
Mr. Patrick Houlihan
Ms. Tova Indritz
Ms. Mary Jacintha & Mr. Stefan Posse
Dr. and Mrs. Norty Kalishman
Dr. Janice Kando & Ms. Sonia Bettez
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Kauffman
Mr. Lawrence W. Kay, PA
Ms. Nancy Klion
Ms. Nancy Koenigsberg &
Dr. Dan Mathews
Mr. David Koenigsberg & Ada Huang
Mrs. Julia W. Kramer
Ms. Diane Leannais &
Mr. Adam Schramm
Ms. Anita Letter
Mr. and Mrs. David Lewis
Omaree Varela
Like so many in New Mexico, we
were deeply saddened and troubled
by the death of 9-year-old Omaree,
allegedly as a result of abuse by his
mother. Omaree was known to be
at risk, and his death should have
been prevented. So it is natural
that, as a community, we want an
explanation of how our law
enforcement and child protection
systems could have failed him so
utterly. Nonetheless, it is important
that we proceed with caution because our children deserve more than politically
motivated, superficial, quick fixes. We all have a stake in creating real and
meaningful solutions. Omaree, and all child victims of abuse and neglect,
need our best thinking about how to protect them.
The Children Youth and Families Department and law enforcement must
respond quickly and adequately to protect children. But we - as a community
- need to do a better job of providing support to families that are challenged by
drug abuse, poverty, and dysfunction. We need more support for families at all
levels – prevention, early intervention, and intensive services for those families
that are showing clear signs of risk. Let’s commit to strengthening our system
of supports for families and let’s continue to work to develop an emergency
response system that doesn’t let children fall through the cracks.
Take a step: volunteer to work with a child, help your neighbors and friends
who are struggling to be good parents, communicate to your politicians that
children matter to you. New Mexico’s children belong to all of us.
Tierra Blanca Ranch Update
In 2013 Pegasus Legal Services for
Children brought attention to serious
allegations of abuse and neglect at an
unlicensed facility for “troubled” youth in
south central New Mexico called Tierra
Blanca Ranch (TBR). Since at least 2006,
law enforcement officials have documented
reports of TBR residents being beaten,
shackled for months, and deprived of food – yet nothing was done to stop the
abuse. After months of pressure from Pegasus – and the death of an 18-year old
resident in a pick-up truck accident – CYFD and law enforcement finally took
temporary custody of nine minor residents of the program. TBR is now facing
three separate lawsuits by families of youth who suffered abuse and/or neglect
at the hands of its staff.
The serious allegations of abuse and neglect at TBR show what can happen
when residential programs that take children are not licensed or overseen by the
state. Pegasus supports changing current licensing law to clarify that all out-ofhome programs for children must be licensed. In 2014, Pegasus plans to educate
legislators about the importance of licensure and oversight of programs that
take children in exchange for money and work with the New Mexico Department of
Children, Youth & Families (CYFD) to pass a bill in the 2015 legislative session
that will give CYFD unequivocal authority over these programs.
"Jewelry has the power to be this one little thing that can make you feel unique"
- Jennie Kwon, jewelry designer.
are
Wepleased
are pleased
offer
New and
Mexico
businesses
and individuals
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to offer Newto
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businesses
individuals
a special opportunity
to reach business
special
opportunity
to reach
business
and
community
leaders
of
and
community
leaders of Albuquerque
and Santa
Fe while also
doing
good. Pegasus Legal
Services for
Children
invites you to
sponsor
its highly
fundraiser,
the 7th
Annual Jewelry
Extravaganza,
Albuquerque
and
Santa
Fe anticipated
while also
doing
good.
Pegasus
Legal
which
raises money
for Pegasus’ legal
servicesyou
for children
and youth. its highly anticipated
Services
for Children
invites
to sponsor
fundraiser, the 7th Annual Jewelry Extravaganza, which raises money
The Jewelry Extravaganza is attended by over 400 business owners, professionals, and civic leaders from
for Pegasus’ legal services for children and youth.
around New Mexico, giving your company added value and recognition, and provides tens of thousands
of
support the
important work ofis
Pegasus.
We have
forbusiness
you to get involved.
We
dollars
The to
Jewelry
Extravaganza
attended
byseveral
overways
400
owners,
are
also
available
to
speak
with
you
about
what
the
best
fit
for
your
marketing
goals
and
budget
might
professionals, and civic leaders from around New Mexico, giving your
be.
We hope you
will join
us as aand
sponsor
for this wonderful
at the level
you deem
appropriate.
company
added
value
recognition,
andevent
provides
tens
of thousands
Your support means a great deal to us, the hundreds of children and youth we serve each year, and the
of dollars to support the important work of Pegasus. We have several
state of New Mexico. Please contact Pegasus for more information.
ways for you to get involved. We are also available to speak with you
about what the best fit for your marketing goals and budget might be.
We hope you will join us as a sponsor for this wonderful event at the
level you deem appropriate. Your support means a great deal to us, the
hundreds of children and youth we serve each year, and the state of
New Mexico. Please contact Pegasus for more information.
Ms. Sandra Lorraine
Ms. Priscilla Lucero
Ms. Maddie Martinez
Ms. Elizabeth Mason PC
Ms. Barbara L. Mathis &
Mr. Gordon Reiselt
Ms. Gaelle D. McConnell &
Mr. Paul Reardon
Mr. Angus McGrath
Ms. Sally McGrath
Ms. Cynthia McGrath
Ms. Carolyn Merchant
Mr. and Mrs. Bernard P. Metzgar
Ms. Kay Monaco &
Mr. Richard Winterbottom
Dr. Zev Nathan & Dr. Neal Mazer
Ms. Carolyn Nichols
Ms. Betul Ozmat &
Mr. William Handmaker
Mr. and Mrs. Russell K. Parker
Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Paster
Mr. Thomas L. Popejoy
Ms. Ruth O. Pregenzer
Ms. Colleen Reardon
Dr. Robert Rosenberg &
Ms. Jane Wishner
Ms. Sharon Schenck
Dr. Susan Scott
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Seligman
Ms. Tina Sibbitt
Dr. Anne R. Simpson
The Hon. Sarah Singleton
Mr. A. Homer Skinner
Ms. Brianna Stallings
Mr. and Mrs. Luis Stelzner
Ms. Rifka Stern
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Stone
Mr. Shawn Stuart
Ms. Kathryn Terry
Mr. David Thomas
Dr. Bruce Trigg & Ms. Mopsy Matthews
Ms. Patricia Vigil
Ms. Kelly Waterfall
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander F. Watson
Ms. Joan Weissman
Mr. and Mrs. Gene Wheatley
The Hon. Elizabeth Whitefield-Thorne &
Mr. Paul Thorne
Ms. Kathyrn Wissel &
Mr. Robert Goodkind
Mr. Jerome Yatskowitz &
Dr. Anne Haines
Mr. Ernest Zamora
Corporate Donors
Our Funders
Albuquerque Community Foundation
NMGRADS
McCune Charitable Foundation
New Mexico Civil Legal Services Commission
New Mexico Department of Aging & Long Term Services
New Mexico Supreme Court Consolidated Civil Legal Services Fund
Sandia Foundation’s Hugh & Helen Woodward Fund of the Albuquerque
Community Foundation
United Way of Central New Mexico
YDI, Inc.
CamNet, Inc.
Freedman, Boyd, Hollander, Goldberg, Urias
& Ward, PA
EZ Wash Laundromat LLC
Miller Stratvert
Day of the Tread
Avalon Trust
JEE Sponsors
The Rothstein Law Firm
X-Pac
Ifania
Wells Fargo Bank
Geer, Wissel & Levy, P.A.
Delta Uniform & Linene
Keller Williams Realty
Rocky Mountain Gold & Silver
First Citizens Bank
Vernon’s Hidden Valley Steak House
New Mexico Bank & Trust
Walther Family Law
Rio Grande Jewelry Supply
Melodie Owen
First American Bank
US Bank
3201 4th Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107
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www.pegasuslaw.org
A Big THANK YOU to our Volunteers!
Kirsten Bennett
Kathy Chilton
Sabrina Colson
Delese Dellios
Marie Hedden
Sandy Humphries
Jane Moody
Janet Moses
Shirley Murphy
Faythe Nelson
Kiki Pavlantos
Sam Randall
Cornelia Sachs
Carole Ward
Virginia Yen
Marsha Thom
Diane LeAnnais
Sally McGrath
David J Monson
Jane McGrath
Felisha Gibbons
Mikeyy Gibbons
Nathan Gibbons
Alex Nafranowicz
Ben Daly
Anthony Medina
Amanda Pilcher
Ruth Pekar
Chris Damon-Crownmiller
Marci Baileys
Susan Conway
Barbara Mathis
Michael Arkin
Gregory Sherman
Monique Chavez
Cynthia Ranke
Leeandra Chavez