About - HEART of Taos - About HEART Learn more about HEART of Taos HEART’s VISION is to demonstrate successful models of sustainable housing and community development that empower residents to achieve independence. HEART’s MISSION is to pave the way to independence for families and individuals by providing emergency, transitional, and permanent housing, and supportive services. Hair & make-up credit: Kim

About HEART

Learn more about HEART of Taos

HEART’s VISION is to demonstrate successful models of sustainable housing and community development that empower residents to achieve independence.

HEART’s MISSION is to pave the way to independence for families and individuals by providing emergency, transitional, and permanent housing, and supportive services.

Hair & make-up credit: Kim Marcus

HOW WE LIVE THE MISSION

We create and sustain relationships with community leaders, influencers, and community organizations.
We actively participate in community-wide needs assessments.
We study and learn from other creative and successful models.
We are flexible and adaptable and are not afraid of change.
We seek and secure adequate funding.

see how we make a difference

HEART offers several targeted programs to fulfill its mission and serve the Taos community

Explore our current programs

Board of Directors and staff

The dedicated and passionate leadership team at HEART of Taos is committed to eradicating housing insecurity and supporting individuals and families pursing their life goals.

President

Julia Jiron

Ms. Julia Jiron has been part of HEART of Taos’ board of directors since 2016. “HEART is my number one priority for donating time, energy, and tangible goods.” – Ms. Julia Jiron

Both of Ms. Jiron’s parents, father (Hispanic) and mother (Picuris Pueblo), were philanthropists so she must have inherited their “giving gene.” She believes in helping those in need so they can help themselves in whatever circumstances life finds them.
Ms. Jiron is an active Taos community member including being a member of St. James Episcopal Church. She also supports other local churches, Sin Fronteras, her alma maters, and other worthy causes.
Ms. Jiron received a B.S. in Business, English, and Education at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque; and received an M.A. in Educational Administration at California State University, Long Beach. Ms. Jiron taught in two inner city public high schools for 26 years in Los Angeles, California, and at Community Colleges including East Los Angeles Community College for 12 years.

Founder & Vice President

Kathryn H. Herman

Ms. Kathryn Herman started HEART of Taos in 2016 after reading an article in the Taos News in December 2015 about a woman who died in her car in the library parking lot. “I learned later more about her; but it gnawed at my heart. I finally asked the universe: “What am I supposed to do?” The answer that came back was. “If not you, who?” – Ms. Kathryn Herman

Having traveled to many countries as a Flight Attendant for 30+ years, independently with Medical Teams International, and on her own, Ms. Herman saw so much poverty and deprivation around the globe. The disparity still exists. Ms. Herman’s dream is to help all individuals to have a safe place to call home. In following the culture of Taos, New Mexico, Ms. Herman aims to support the multi- and intergenerational families to receive the resources they need to live, work, and be in their community.

Ms. Herman is an active member and past President of Taos Rotary Milagro. She actively participates in Taos Rotary’s Literacy Program, reading to 2nd and 3rd graders.

Secretary & Treasurer

Sunshine Duran

Ms. Sunshine Duran became a HEART of Taos Board Member in 2020 because the value system and mission of HEART coincides with the current mission, she is on to cultivate wellness in the Taos community in mind, body, spirit and tradition.

Ms. Duran co-created and is currently the Program Coordinator for Taos Pueblo Recovery Works!. The program focuses on building community through healing and connection. The issues that surround the current and growing crisis of unhoused locals in Taos are closely connected to substance use disorder and other mental health challenges.

Ms. Duran is a Taos Pueblo Tribal Member who has dedicated her life to improving the wellness of her community. As a peer in recovery, she spent 4 years living in a hotel after finally finding a home early this year (2023). Her intimate knowledge of the housing struggle on her ancestral homeland drives her devotion to HEART of Taos’ Mission.

Executive Director

Kimberly Park

Ms. Kimberly Park joined HEART of Taos in 2018 overseeing the operations of the organization. In 2007, Ms. Park’s supportive and affordable housing development experience began with Clifford Beers Housing (currently known as Holos Communities) in Los Angeles, California; housing people experiencing chronic homelessness and mental health issues. Ms. Park’s passion is to house community members in a sustainable, affordable, supportive, and collaborative way to re-stabilize families and communities.

Discover MORE ABOUT the history of heart

2024

Beginning November 1, 2024, HEART will expand its Family in Focus program to Taos County community agencies working with families in need. Family in Focus is a homelessness prevention program providing financial support to families facing homelessness in Taos County, New Mexico. HEART will prioritize families with children (under 18 years of age) and families with elders (over 55 years of age).

For families seeking shelter, please check the following family shelters in New Mexico. Click here Get Help

2023

HEART of Taos supported the Family Hotel Shelter Program via DreamTree Project / Taos NEST (Navigating Emergency Support Together) for short term emergency shelter for families facing homelessness in Taos County, which began in Dec 2022. For more information on Taos NEST (Navigating Emergency Support Together).

HEART introduced its first capital campaign known as Taos Hearth – One, 2-bedroom family unit that is transitional, affordable, and supportive housing for a family facing homelessness. HEART received nearly an acre of land donated for this project in fall 2023.

2022

HEART and DreamTree continued the CARES hotel program until July 2022, providing emergency housing, case management, and other support services to women, families, and men facing homelessness. Began planning Taos NEST (Navigating Emergency Support Together) with DreamTree Project to create a long-term solution for emergency housing and support services for all women, men, and families facing homelessness.

2021

HEART and DreamTree Project combined resources and talent to utilize CARES funding to expand the hotel shelter program to provide emergency housing for women, families, and men facing homelessness.

2020

HEART closed its’ resource center and transitioned staff and services to HEART House – emergency/transitional housing for women and women with children in a shared residence setting. Due to COVID, HEART House was closed due to the shared layout, and HEART began its hotel shelter program to house women and families in a safe and healthy way during a global pandemic.

2019

HEART continued its resource center while completing the Special Use Permit Requirements for HEART House – an emergency/transitional shared residence house for women and women with children facing homelessness.

2018

HEART increases its resource center hours (M-F, 9-5pm) with a soup station, donated clothing boutique, peer counseling, case management, and other basic needs.

2017

HEART continues its part-time resource center providing emergency hotel vouchers, food, clothes, peer counseling, case management, and other basic needs.

2016

HEART of Taos was founded and opened a part-time resource center providing emergency hotel vouchers to women and women with children facing homelessness.