With a population of 9,000, Socorro is located in the central Rio Grande valley, 76 miles south of Albuquerque and 194 miles north of El Paso.  Socorro is the home of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.  Socorro and its surroundings are enjoyed by mountain bikers, rock hounds, runners, astronomers, hikers, campers, and others who enjoy the slower pace of small-town life. 

The Socorro coalition joined the Community MAP project later than the other sites, and The Arc does not have an office or full-time staff member in the community.  According to coalition coordinator Darlene Hunter, poverty, illiteracy and rural conditions have helped erect barriers to inclusion for many people and their families.

The Arc approached an active volunteer in the community, Jim Wolf, to offer the opportunity to participate and coordinate Community MAP.  Jim serves as the ADD project volunteer, AmeriCorps Site Coordinator, and an advisor to the local People First chapter.  Although he was willing to participate in the project, he declined the part-time position as coordinator, allowing the coalition to choose the coordinator from among its members. 

The members selected Darlene Hunter, a parent of three sons with learning disabilities (one who has Down Syndrome).  She attended a Community MAP meeting with Randy Costales and Rebecca Shuman of The Arc of New Mexico to learn more about the project’s goals.