Albuquerque Opens First Trauma Recovery Center in New Mexico
A place for healing, safety, and community support
ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the City of Albuquerque and over 250 members of the community celebrated the grand opening of the Trauma Recovery Center (TRC), the first of its kind in New Mexico and one of only a few across the country marking a major milestone in the city’s evolution of public safety.
Operated by the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Department, the Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) serves as the headquarters for ACS’s Violence Intervention Program (VIP) division, uniting trauma-informed services, outreach, therapeutic supports, and case management under one roof.
City officials, community leaders, City Councilor Nichole Rogers, State Representative Pamelya Herndon, and local partners this afternoon gathered at the TRC to celebrate the vision and collaboration that brought this innovative center to life. Designed to support individuals least likely to access help after experiencing violence or trauma, the TRC offers community-centered, healing-focused services rooted in equity and care.
The TRC’s comprehensive model includes collaboration with outside providers specializing in therapy, financial literacy, GED preparation, and other vital support services, ensuring a holistic approach to healing and empowerment.
“The Trauma Recovery Center isn’t just a facility, it’s a promise to survivors of violence that they are not alone,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re building a new model for care and safety, one that doesn’t rely on outdated systems but instead puts healing, connection, and community first.”
Click here to see photos of the inside of the TRC and most photos from today’s event.
The TRC combines assertive outreach, advocacy, evidence-based mental health support, and comprehensive case management, offering services such as peer support, trauma-informed therapy, care coordination, and educational workshops. It serves as a centralized hub for individuals and families impacted by violence, trauma, substance use, or systemic challenges — many of whom have been historically overlooked.
“Our VIP teams are doing work that changes lives every day, and now they finally have a home that reflects the depth and purpose of that mission,” said ACS Director Jodie Esquibel. “This center brings all of our specialty teams together to make healing accessible, coordinated, and rooted in trust. It’s a proud moment for our department and our community.”
TRCs provide technical assistance and training, facilitate a collaborative learning community, and serve as a catalyst to advocate for just and equitable healing services for all. Together, we’re creating a world where every survivor of violence gets the help, they need to heal by increasing access to trauma-informed care for all people impacted by violence and systemic inequities.
The ACS VIP Division, now headquartered at the TRC, consists of six specialized teams:
- Violence Intervention Program (VIP)
- School-Based VIP (SBVIP)
- Hospital-Based VIP (HBVIP)
- Youth VIP
- Community Oriented Response & Assistance (CORA)
- Opioid Education & Prevention (OEP)
These teams work collaboratively with specialty units across the city, including APD’s Threat Assessment Unit, Crisis Intervention Unit, and Violent Crimes Unit, as well as AFR’s HEART Team and Golden Opportunity Program, to provide wraparound care and proactive outreach. The division’s goal is to interrupt cycles of violence by tailoring support to individuals’ specific needs through a holistic, trauma-informed lens.
Referrals to the VIP Division can be made by ACS Field Responders, Albuquerque Police, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, community partners, and more, with emergency support available through direct coordination between Field Supervisors and VIP leadership ensuring real-time responses when lives are at stake.
By uniting all of these resources in one centralized location, the Trauma Recovery Center fills a long-standing gap in care for the Albuquerque community.
For more information about the Trauma Recovery Center or to access services, visit http://www.cabq.gov/vip.