The City of Albuquerque has opened the Trauma Recovery Center (TRC), marking the first facility of its kind in New Mexico. The center, operated by the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Department, will serve as the headquarters for ACS’s Violence Intervention Program (VIP) division. The TRC brings together trauma-informed services, outreach, therapeutic support, and case management.
City officials, including Mayor Tim Keller, City Councilor Nichole Rogers, State Representative Pamelya Herndon, and local partners attended the opening event alongside over 250 community members. The center is designed to assist individuals who are least likely to seek help after experiencing violence or trauma by providing community-centered and healing-focused services.
The TRC collaborates with external providers specializing in therapy, financial literacy, GED preparation, and other support services to offer a comprehensive approach to recovery. According to Mayor Tim Keller: “The Trauma Recovery Center isn’t just a facility, it’s a promise to survivors of violence that they are not alone. We’re building a new model for care and safety, one that doesn’t rely on outdated systems but instead puts healing, connection, and community first.”
Services at the TRC include peer support, trauma-informed therapy, care coordination, educational workshops, and comprehensive case management. The center aims to be a hub for individuals and families affected by violence or systemic challenges.
ACS Director Jodie Esquibel stated: “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. 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.”
The VIP Division 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), and Opioid Education & Prevention (OEP). These teams work with units such as APD’s Threat Assessment Unit and Crisis Intervention Unit as well as AFR’s HEART Team to provide coordinated care.
Referrals can be made by ACS Field Responders, Albuquerque Police Department officers, Albuquerque Fire Rescue personnel, community partners, among others. Emergency support is available through direct coordination between field supervisors and VIP leadership.
The establishment of the TRC addresses a longstanding gap in trauma recovery resources in Albuquerque. More information about the Trauma Recovery Center is available at http://www.cabq.gov/vip.
