At right, CYFD Cabinet Secretary Monique Jacobson speaks to a crowd at WNMU Wednesday afternoon.

Below, from left, are speakers, Terry Anderson, Christine Hendricks, Sen. Howie Morales and Jacobson.

Article and photos by Mary Alice Murphy

On Wednesday evening, May 4, 2016, Children, Youth and Families Cabinet Secretary Monique Jacobson came to Silver City to promote her latest initiative. The event was hosted by Western New Mexico University and Grant County Prospectors.

"Let's make New Mexico the best place to be a kid" was the tagline of the event.

WNMU President Joseph Shepard welcomed attendees and introduced Jacobson. "I have a Ph.D. and I'm president of this university, but the most difficult job I've ever had is being a parent. And my wife and I shared the job. For those who are single parents, it's even harder. And for foster and adoptive parents even more so."

"It really is Silver City that embodies the community for this program," Jacobson. "From my time with Tourism, Silver City has been my favorite place to visit."

"At the moment we have sad news about the young lady who was abducted and killed near Shiprock," she continued. "She was 11 years old. I ask for a moment of silence for her and her family."

Jacobson said she is a parent, and it's a journey "I went on and continue to this day. That's why we at CYFD created this program, pulltogether.org. We began to get these notices of tragedyG