
Community Matters: Gerard's House
Nicole Maes-Gonzales, Gerard's House
Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Community Matters host Sarah Amador-Guzman speaks with Nicole Maes-Gonzales, Executive Director of Gerard’s House, about the organization’s mission to provide a safe place for grieving children, teens, and families, where healing happens through acceptance and peer support.

Nicole Maes-Gonzales has been involved in Gerard’s House since the beginning in 1997, as a volunteer and past board member. For many years she worked at Berardinelli Family Funeral Service managing a large staff, and she brings both special event, and project organizational management expertise to our organization. “Gerard’s House has given me the opportunity to make a difference in my community and be part of a lasting impact.”
_____
About Community Matters
Our monthly radio show invites subject experts and community leaders to talk about the challenges and inequities our region faces and possible solutions that could contribute to its growth. Hosted by Santa Fe Community Foundation staff, Community Matters airs on the third Wednesday of every month at 6:00 PM on KSFR (101.1 FM). Listen to past episodes here.
Community Matters: Sunrise Clinics
On this episode of Community Matters, we’re joined by Dr. Randal Brown, Founder and CEO of Sunrise Clinics, the 2025 recipient of the Santa Fe Community Foundation’s "Resiliency" Piñon Award. Sunrise Clinics strengthens the health and well-being of rural and frontier communities across New Mexico, including Las Vegas, Santa Rosa, Tucumcari, and Raton. By offering comprehensive primary and behavioral health care on a sliding fee scale, Sunrise ensures that no one is turned away due to cost — building resilience and access in places where care is needed most.
Community Matters: The Friendship Club
Sherman Allen, Executive Director of The Friendship Club and 2025 Quiet Inspiration Piñon Award honoree, leads a decades-strong recovery community offering 50 weekly 12-step meetings, a global podcast, and a hybrid Zoom Room to support connection and well-being.
Community Matters: Free Flow NM
Free Flow NM, founded in 2020 by Laurie Merrill, combats period poverty and menstrual stigma through large-scale product distribution, innovative programs like Period Pods, and community education across northern New Mexico. Under Laurie’s leadership, the nonprofit has provided over 750,000 menstrual products while reshaping community attitudes toward menstruation with dignity and equity.