OPINION: Rooted in community, rising nationally: How southern New Mexico is leading the GBI conversation

Family Prosperity pilot gains national spotlight at guaranteed income conference

Dawn Hommer, Michelle Saenz-Adames and Brian Kavanaugh

In the heart of southern New Mexico, a powerful movement is taking root — one that reimagines what it means to care for families, invest in communities and build lasting economic security. The Family Prosperity Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) pilot is comprised of a collaboration of the following agencies: Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico, Families & Youth Innovations Plus (FYI+), Jardin de los Niños and New Mexico State University Crimson Research (a third-party evaluator). The GBI pilot, which serves families in Las Cruces and Hatch, has not only made a difference locally — it’s now gaining recognition on a national stage.

In 2024, the Family Prosperity team was honored to be featured at the Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) Conference, the nation’s premier gathering of guaranteed income advocates, researchers and pilot organizers. The annual event brings together changemakers from across the country who share one bold vision: that every person deserves the freedom to thrive, not just survive. For Family Prosperity to be recognized among this group is both a testament to our community’s innovation and a signal that rural and small-town experiences matter in national conversations.

Beyond attending the conference, members of our team had the opportunity to serve on planning committees and the advisory committee, helping to shape the conference’s vision and content. This leadership role has allowed us to bring southern New Mexico’s unique perspectives and challenges to the forefront — highlighting how GBI can uplift families in both urban and rural contexts, especially in underinvested communities.

These national connections have opened up doors. They’ve given us new tools, new allies and a broader platform to advocate not just for our pilot, but for policy that can benefit families locally in our community and across the country. The BIG Conference convened in Washington, D.C., in June 2025, and Family Prosperity’s presence there represented more than participation — it represented a movement from the ground up, rooted in community experience and now elevated to influence federal policy conversations.

Bringing this knowledge home is paramount. Our team remains deeply committed to working hand-in-hand with families and leaders in Las Cruces and Hatch. What we learn nationally helps us advocate more effectively at the local and state levels, ensuring that the benefits of guaranteed income — dignity, stability and opportunity — can be realized right here in our backyards.

Family Prosperity is more than a pilot — it’s a demonstration of what’s possible when we center community voice, dignity and the power of choice in how we show up for families with care and intention.

As we continue to lift our voices nationally, we do so with deep gratitude to our community and unwavering commitment to a future where every family has what they need to thrive.

About the authors:
Dawn Hommer is CEO of the Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico. Michelle Saenz-Adames is CEO of Jardin de los Niños. Brian Kavanaugh is CEO of Families & Youth Innovations Plus (FYI+).