ABQ Department of Senior Affairs

09/05/2026

We recently celebrated the incredible volunteers who give their time and talents to our senior community at the 2026 RSVP Appreciation Breakfast!

More than 300 guests gathered at Embassy Suites Albuquerque for this annual celebration of service. Supported by AmeriCorps Seniors, RSVP brings together volunteers and community partners to make a difference in our senior community, and the breakfast gave us an opportunity to recognize and celebrate that service.

A highlight of the morning was recognizing our 2026 RSVP award recipients:
🏆 Exceptional Station of the Year — Palo Duro Senior Center
🏆 Substantial Station of the Year — New Mexico Veterans Memorial
🏆 Rookie of the Year — Ruth Castrodad
🏆 Volunteer of the Year — Bob Martinez
🏆 RSVP Lifetime Achievement Award — Terri Alyce Bixter

The program also featured remarks from Department of Senior Affairs leadership, including Associate Director and Mayor’s Liaison Alan Armijo and Deputy Director Nikki Peone, as we reflected on the important role volunteers play across our senior community.

We’re grateful to our volunteers, community partners and everyone who helped make this year’s celebration possible. Most of all, we thank our RSVP volunteers for the time, compassion and commitment they share with our community throughout the year.

RSVP is supported by AmeriCorps Seniors and the City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs. Congratulations to this year’s honorees, and thank you to all who serve!



Photo Accessibility Description: A carousel of photos from the 2026 RSVP Appreciation Breakfast showing guests gathered at tables enjoying breakfast, speakers delivering remarks at the podium, award recipients being recognized, community partners and volunteers, and moments from throughout the celebration.

09/04/2026

Labor Day is just around the corner! As we head into the holiday weekend, we’re taking a moment to recognize the many contributions older adults have made—and continue to make—to our workplaces, neighborhoods, families, and community.

We hope you enjoy the holiday weekend with time to relax, connect with family and friends, and enjoy the last stretch of summer.

A reminder that all Department of Senior Affairs facilities, including senior and multigenerational centers and administrative offices, will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. We look forward to seeing you when we reopen!

09/04/2026

❤️ Take Charge of Your Heart & Health!

Join us at Barelas Senior Center for a helpful presentation from the New Mexico Department of Health focused on healthy habits that can help lower your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and support lifelong heart health.

Wednesday, September 9
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Barelas Senior Center
714 7th St. SW

Come learn practical ways to support your health and well-being!

📞 Space may be limited. Call 505-764-6436 to sign up.



Flyer Accessibility Description: Flyer announces presentation on diabetes and heart health, including date, time, location, and how to register.

09/03/2026

It was a packed house for the AARP Design Competition kickoff! Thank you to everyone who joined us to learn more, share ideas, and help start the conversation around creative housing options that support aging in place and connected communities.

We’re excited to keep the momentum going with the next milestone: the Competition Brief on Tuesday, September 22. This virtual session will cover competition requirements and provide an opportunity for questions and answers.

We look forward to seeing the ideas and partnerships that grow from here!

Learn more about the competition: cabq.gov/cottages

AARP | AARP New Mexico |

Photo Accessibility Description: A carousel of photos from the AARP Design Competition kickoff showing a full room of attendees, speakers at the podium, community members gathering and sharing a meal, and moments from the event.

09/02/2026

What if your work directly contributed to a better quality of life for the City of Albuquerque? Find out how you can make an impact – apply today to be our next Volunteer Program Coordinator! https://bit.ly/4qO4DhC

Position Summary Coordinate, monitor and manage volunteer and program activities within an assigned department; monitor and evaluate program performance; recommend and implement modifications to systems and procedures; recruit, train and supervise volunteer staff; perform a variety of administrat...

08/26/2026

Paid parental leave and other great benefits are just the start. Be a part of a government that's moving forward. Work for the City you love! https://bit.ly/4xUWmL2

Position Summary Supervise, assign, review and participate in the work of staff responsible for providing a variety of senior citizen services and activities including frail elderly, inter-generational, meal services, adult fitness and volunteer program management; establish schedules and methods...

08/22/2026

You Have the Power to Prevent a Fall!

Join us for a free Falls Risk Screening Event on Friday, Sept. 18, from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm at North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center.

Participants can receive strength and balance testing, foot health, medication and home safety reviews, vision screening and more—plus a personalized falls risk report and education.

📍 North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center, 7521 Carmel NE

Learn more: CABQ.gov/seniors



Flyer Accessibility Description: A flyer promoting a free Falls Risk Screening Event. The flyer includes the event date, time, location, screening information, participating organizations, and falls prevention resources.

08/21/2026

🌺 Aloha from Highland Senior Center!

What a wonderful afternoon we had at Highland Senior Center’s 1st Annual Luau Dance last week!

Our members filled the dance floor as Cuatro provided music and plenty of island-inspired fun. It was a great afternoon of music, dancing, and good times.

A special thank you to Chris Burton with the City of Albuquerque Health, Housing & Homelessness Department for donating refreshments and supporting our event, and to Ana Huezo for the colorful palm trees that brought our tropical theme to life.

We also want to recognize our Program Coordinator, Michelle Padilla, for the hard work and care she puts into creating programs, activities, and special events for our members—thank you for all you do for our senior community!

Most of all, thank you to our Highland Senior Center members for joining us and making our first luau one to remember. We’re already looking forward to the next one!



Photo Accessibility Description: A collage of photos showing people dressed in colorful Hawaiian-style clothing eating and dancing while a live band performs.

08/20/2026

AARP Design Competition | Age-Friendly Cottage Housing

The City of Albuquerque is launching a fall 2026 Age-Friendly Cottage Housing Design Competition, inviting design professionals and UNM students to explore innovative cottage-style housing that supports aging in place.

The competition will focus on:
🏡 Aging in place
🏙️ Access to services and amenities
🤝 Community connection
🌳 Neighborhood compatibility

Two tracks: Professional & Student
Cash prizes: $5,000 and $2,500, plus honorable mentions

📅 Competition Kickoff: September 1, 2026, 12–1:30 pm
📍 Fusion, 708 1st St. NW (virtual attendance available)
📝 Registration deadline: October 2
🏆 Entries due: November 13

Sponsored by AARP in partnership with the University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning, Mid-Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Urban Land Institute New Mexico.

Registration is free. Learn more and apply at cabq.gov/cottages



Flyer Accessibility Description: Flyer announces the Fall 2026 Age-Friendly Cottage Housing Design Competition, including eligibility, focus areas, prizes, key dates, kickoff details, and application information.

08/19/2026

More Mobile Food Pantry Dates Added! 🥕

The Mobile Food Pantry at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center has been extended through the end of the year.

📍 Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
501 Elizabeth St SE

📅 Sept. 18 | 2:00 – 4:30 pm
📅 Oct. 16 | 2:00 – 4:30 pm
📅 Nov. 20 | 2:00 – 4:30 pm
📅 Dec. 18 | 2:00 – 4:30 pm

The pantry is supplied by Roadrunner Food Bank and provides free food to the community.

Learn more: cabq.gov/seniors



Flyer Accessibility Description: A flyer announcing the Mobile Food Pantry at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center. The flyer includes the dates and times for food distributions in September, October, November and December, along with information about the location and that the pantry is supplied by Roadrunner Food Bank.