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Albuquerque's CNM helps former homeless addict make a new start
Photo by Michael J. GallegosTribune
Tribune
Cliff Lucero makes a call from the University of New Mexico classes after morning classes. Lucero, who was once homeless and addicted to drugs and alcohol, enrolled at UNM this year. He credits his success to a program at Central New Mexico Community College, where he graduated this summer.
Photo by Michael J. GallegosTribune
Tribune
Cliff Lucero (center) helps a client sign in at St. Martin's Hospitality Center, where he volunteers helping the needy and the homeless. Once homeless himself, Lucero says he wants to give back and show people they can turn their lives around.
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Three years ago, Cliff Lucero was living on the streets, waiting for his next shot of heroin.
Lucero, 48, said even his family didn't recognize the man he became after a nearly 30-year addiction to drugs and alcohol.
"I would lie and cheat and steal from everyone," he said. "I lost respect from everyone I love."
Lucero, who flunked out of high school, said he never thought he'd set foot on a college campus. On Aug. 20, he began his first day of classes at the University of New Mexico.
Lucero credits his success to a program at Central New Mexico Community College, where he graduated this summer with a 3.70 GPA.
CNM's School of Educational and Career Advancement has been helping people like Lucero get back on their feet and develop skills for college level success since the Õ60s.
Geraldine McBroom, dean of the School of Educational and Career Advancement, said CNM offers pre-college courses in English, math, reading, science, accounting, health, study skills and basic computer skills.
It also offers adult education courses in GED preparation, English as a second language, job/life skills and college success experience.
"The primary benefit is that we prepare students to go into whatever career and educational pathway they desire," McBroom said. "Some of us need more work in certain areas and refreshers."
McBroom said the program has reached several thousands of people throughout the years.
"Last fall, we've had over 12,000 people in the college preparatory side and 2,700 in the adult education side," she said.
Lucero, who has been clean and sober for three years, entered the program in 2004 after he was homeless for a year.
Before he went to CNM, Lucero went through a recovery program at the Good Shepherd Center, 218 Iron Ave. S.W.
Lucero said the turning point for him was when he realized he was losing everything he held dear.
"Because of my addiction, I lost respect from everyone — my family, my wife," he said. "I was pretty much dead as it was anyway."
With support from the Good Shepherd Center, Lucero realized he could start living again.
He went to CNM and took classes through the School of Educational and Career Advancement in Math 100A and basic keyboarding. Lucero also got a job doing clerical work for the school's office.
He received on-campus and off-campus aid through the Center for Working Families, which exists under the umbrella of the School of Educational and Career Advancement.
Through the Center for Working Families, CNM Foundation provides a scholarship to retain students by helping them with issues that might interfere with school, said Ann Lyn Hall, achievement coach for the program.
It covers a variety of situations, including transportation, housing, day care, food and medical issues.
The center helped Lucero get housing through the Albuquerque Housing Authority. They also helped him get in contact with Human Services for his food and utility needs.
Through the program, Lucero was also able to attend a 10-week financial literacy course and start an IDA savings account. CNM Foundation matched every dollar he saved with $4 (up to $1,000) to help pay for education. Lucero and his wife, Karen, are separately receiving from the account while attending school.
Hall has been helping Lucero and his wife since the beginning and said she has seen Lucero grow tremendously.
"Cliff has always been a very humble man. The first time I met him, he was really struggling," she said. "Now I see a person who is more confident and knows deep in his soul he can accomplish the goals he sets out for himself."
Lucero graduated from CNM with an associates of arts degree. he's pursuing a degree in family studies at UNM.
His achievements led him to speak at CNM's GED graduation in May and be invited to lunch with Katherine Winograd, president of CNM.
He also volunteers to help the homeless at St. Martin's Hospitality Center and is an intern in Rep. Heather Wilson's office.
Earlier this year, he received the President's Volunteer Service Award.
Lucero said his ultimate goal is to run his own nonprofit organization and help people in the same situation he was in.
"I like to use my life story so I can let others know with some hard work you can turn your life around and set goals to make a better life for yourself," he said.
