


This article originally appeared in the Hobbs News-Sun.
By TJ Parks
2022 proved to be a year of transition for many. Transitioning out of the pandemic and into more in-person school, meetings, and events. At the JF Maddox Foundation, we transitioned CEOs and I joined an incredible team to serve this community in a new and exciting capacity. Through all that 2022 had to bring, we continued to provide stability and growth to Lea County non-profits through our grants program.
We had tremendous success investing $9.8 million in our community in 2022 funding key projects that move Lea County forward. Our goal to encourage this community to “think big” was successful as we saw many organizations expand their goals, serve more people in need, and dig deeper to connect their mission to this community.
For example, take Habitat for Humanity which successfully opened its ReStore, providing another avenue for funding its critical programs aimed at reducing housing instability by building strength and self-reliance. The ReStore is a new initiative for Habitat but the organization has worked to build safe and affordable housing for more than 50 families in Hobbs since its inception.
We invested in the health and well-being of Lea County through grants to the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association, in partnership with Nor-Lea Hospital District to improve diabetes education and combat hypertension. We helped to support the Permian Basin Counseling and Guidance Center to open its doors in Lea County. Additionally, we supported the Guidance Center of Lea County as they transitioned a new executive director and implemented housing security programs.
We also had the opportunity to gather for in-person events that brought connection to our community; events like the City of Lovington’s Cinco de Mayo celebration, Lovington Mainstreet’s Smokin’ on the Plaza, and the Not Vacant Shindig as well as the Fifth Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Hobbs. And this extends to arts and culture events such as the Southwest Symphony’s 2022-2023 season which has brought us One Hit Wonders, The Songs You Hate to Love; the youth series concert, SUPERHEROES!; and Lubbock Christian University A Capella Choirs Christmas Special with more to look forward to this year. We’ve also enjoyed special exhibits at the Western Heritage Museum.
We supported the Golden Apple Foundation for Excellence in Teaching which creates a pipeline of teachers to address the teacher shortage in New Mexico and Lea County. We gathered stakeholders to address literacy levels in Lea County investing in the Campaign for Grade Level Reading and joining the Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin. And I know we are all proud of the Career Technical Education Center of Hobbs opening its doors this year and welcoming its first class of students from all over our community.
We couldn’t do what we do without our amazing staff but more importantly without the strong leaders who support the organizations that make-up Lea County. We are ready to keep working in 2023 alongside you.
TJ Parks is the interim CEO at the JF Maddox Foundation, a private family foundation in Lea County, New Mexico. Alongside its partners, the foundation invests in education, social services, and community development for a greater quality of life for Lea County residents.
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