Otero Early Childhood Coalition

Coordinator – Christine Precure (Christine.precure@100otero.org)
FDP Coaches – Janelle Garcia Cole, Tamarra Garcia

A Heart for Community, Connection, and Early Childhood

For Christine, serving as the Coordinator for the Otero Early Childhood Coalition has been more than just a job; it has been a meaningful journey rooted in community, connection, and the belief that collective action can create lasting change for young children and their families.

One of the most impactful aspects of her work has been witnessing how bringing people together fosters genuine and lasting connections. The relationships formed between families, partners, staff, and community members have profoundly shaped her experience with the coalition.

Christine expresses it best, “It’s not just about organizing events or planning activities. It’s the small moments of connection that truly matter.” The sense of belonging, shared learning, mutual support, and trust built over time continually remind her of the importance of this work. These relationships have influenced how she approaches her role every day with presence, gratitude, and intention.

When asked for advice for others in this field, Christine encourages slowing down and being fully present with the community. “By staying grounded in the moment, you can truly recognize the strengths, stories, and connections that already exist”. She reminds us to appreciate what we have: our teams, families, partners, and the progress we've made while also honoring the work that is still ongoing. “Engaging with your community is essential! When partners bring both the vision and the capacity, move forward. Support partners in developing systems that are ready for the future and feel free to tweak them, so it flows better.”

Christine holds a hopeful and forward-looking vision for the coalition. She wants the entire community not only to know about the coalition but to understand its value and impact.
She imagines a coalition that is a visible, trusted space where families, providers, partners, and leaders feel connected to the mission and recognize themselves as part of advancing Early Childhood initiatives.

Christine takes great pride in her contributions, particularly in organizing family dialogue circles throughout the county. These gatherings provided safe and meaningful spaces for families to share their experiences and needs. From these conversations emerged the Kids Calendar, a resource that families had been requesting, which is a straightforward and accessible way to find information about local resources, events, and opportunities for young children. Witnessing an idea born from families' voices and seeing it grow into something valuable for the community has been one of Christine’s greatest joys. To her, this reflects the core mission of the coalition: listening to families, amplifying their voices, and transforming their input into tangible action.

Christine will soon be leaving the Otero Early Childhood Coalition to dedicate more time to her family. While her presence will be deeply missed, her incredible impact will live on through the relationships, initiatives, and community-driven efforts she has nurtured so lovingly. True to her caring nature, Christine is ensuring a smooth transition for the next coordinator, allowing the coalition’s momentum to carry on seamlessly. We wish Christine and her family all the love and happiness in this new chapter of their lives. Her unwavering dedication, boundless compassion, and warm heart have created a legacy that will continue to inspire the coalition and the Otero community for years to come.