In New Mexico — meaningful changes start from the ground up. Fines and fees reform, in particular, cannot be achieved by simply assuming what policy might be best for those whose entire lives have been destabilized by court debt. Comprehensive reform initiatives require the type of expertise that can only come from direct experience with New Mexico’s courts, communities, and way of life.
In addition to our staff on the ground in New Mexico, FFJC uses models of reform which place those directly impacted by fines and fees policies within a central advisory role. Together with the Advisory Board, FFJC was able to develop an in-depth understanding of the needs of New Mexico’s impacted communities and identify the key touch points that create undue hardship. In addition to issue identification, board members were also instrumental in providing oral testimony, message development, data collection, and outreach.
FFJC’s advisory board model is more than just a means of prioritizing New Mexican voices within reform. It also serves as an incubator for budding advocates who are perfectly positioned to continue the work of fines and fees reform within their community. Our goal is to enable further systemic change by redistributing advocacy skills and expertise to communities starting with the advocates on our board.
Meet New Mexico’s Advisory Board on Fines and Fees
Learn more about the exciting lives and interests of our current members and the experiences they bring to their work on the advisory board.
Yvette Medina is a behavioral health professional in New Mexico. She is a fierce advocate and a dedicated servant for her reentry and recovery clients. She currently raises her family in Pecos New Mexico but was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico where she spends her free time advocating for criminal-legal reform with NMABFF and local recovery-service access with the Office of Peer Recovery and Engagement (OPRE). She has worked with The Life Link for the past 8 years and has seen the most vulnerable and displaced individuals in our community.
Sixto Aguirre has been working as a CPSW in the beautiful Espanola Valle for four years and has been in recovery for six. He has dedicated himself to supporting and guiding his gente to better their lives. His goal is to be a strong supporter and provide guidance to the people of our community and state and utilizing our local resources and programs available.
Mona Serna is a born-and-raised New Mexican from Santa Fe. She is proud to serve as a Peer Support Specialist in Espanola where she helps individuals struggling with substance-addiction show up for themselves through recovery. Mona has seen firsthand how whole communities thrive when the most vulnerable are granted compassion and care. She is thrilled to support this work and to help shape progressive policy in her home state.
Nico Zamora has lived in New Mexico for decades. He is a determined advocate and works hard on issues he cares about. Nico started his long-term recovery journey years ago and has since become a leader in the world of behavioral health and peer support in NM. He currently serves on multiple advocacy boards, including the Office of Peer Recovery and Engagement (OPRE) where he lends his guidance to the work of peer support professionals. In his spare time, you can find Nico marveling at New Mexico’s beautiful landscape on his motorcycle.
Born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in 29 Palms, Kathleen Ontiveros is a proud mother of five beautiful daughters. Her journey has been shaped by a wide range of life experiences — from working in customer service since the age of 14, to overcoming addiction, navigating the justice system, and ultimately reclaiming her life through resilience and determination.
In December 2016, she moved to Española, New Mexico, fleeing domestic violence in search of safety and a new beginning. Since then, she has grown deeply connected to this community. She’s found purpose in standing alongside her neighbors and working toward the change we all deserve. She believes that everyone should have access to the support and resources they need to not only survive, but to thrive. Sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity to realize your worth — and from there, everything can change.
Her experiences have taught her strength, patience, and the importance of never giving up on what truly matters. As a member of the Fines and Fees Justice Center Advisory Board of New Mexico, she advocates for fairer systems and more compassionate policies. Looking ahead, she hopes to establish a parent advocacy group that supports families impacted by CYFD (Children, Youth & Families Department). She believes that by empowering parents with knowledge, community, and voice, we can spark the systemic changes our families desperately need.
She continues her work in the Española Valley, standing in solidarity with people of all backgrounds, driven by love for her community and a vision for a better future.
Crystal Eve Gransbury is a farmer, bee keeper, crafter, and vendor at most farmers markets in Albuquerque, NM. Born in Arizona, Eve is well traveled and loves her life with her two children, Luna and Sol. The ups and downs of Even’s life lead her to be at the right place at the right time to meet the New Mexico Team at the Fines and Fees Justice event. They helped to spark Eve’s passion for activism, which has still been going strong for over two years. Even has devoted her time, heart, and soul into working for positive change. When Eve isn’t balancing her family, life, work, and school, her family loves to go on adventures and spend quality time outdoors.