Las Vegas Mayor Louie Trujillo, left, and Highlands University community liaison Linda Anderle display a banner featuring the newly created Vecinos Juntos’ logo.
Las Vegas, NM – Las Vegas’ educational institutions joined forces with the city’s government to promote volunteer opportunities for the community’s students.
Representatives from the City of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands, Luna Community College, the United World College and the two city school districts signed an agreement during a small ceremony Sept. 11 to formally create Vecinos Juntos de Las Vegas at the Gallinas bridge on Bridge Street.
Vecinos Juntos, or “neighbors together,” will be a community-based organization that promotes the common good through shared volunteer community projects. The organization will be directed by Las Vegas’ mayor, the presidents of Highlands, Luna and the World College, and the superintendents for the two school districts.
“This is a historic day in Las Vegas,” said the city’s mayor, Louie Trujillo. “This is the largest volunteer organizational effort the Las Vegas has ever seen.”
New Mexico Highlands President Sam Minner said the ceremony was about people helping people.
“Vecinos Juntos. Neighbors Together,” Minner said. “Two simple words that express the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors to improve the quality of life for our entire Las Vegas community I am so proud Highlands is a partner in this important initiative.”