Staff Members


Albino Garcia Jr.

Executive Director

Albino Garcia Jr. is the Founder of La Plazita Institute, a grass-roots community organization in Albuquerque, NM that engages young people and their families in a comprehensive, holistic approach to youth and community development. Garcia was born in Illinois and grew up near Chicago. As a youth, he struggled to relate to the cultural values and approaches of public schooling and institutions, but today he draws on a well of knowledge and experience as a streetwise young man to effectively work with youth. In 1979 at 17 years old, he served in the United States Military, as an alternative to incarceration. He served seven years, including in Korea, and received recognition for his service. Garcia possess a remarkable range of program experience, including as a consultant, trainer, and program manager. In 1994, Garcia founded the New School of Watsonville, designed to give youth a second chance for education in an alternative setting more conductive to their needs. He has served as an educator, trainer, and community liaison for the Community Engagement Center at the University of New Mexico, and as a Deputy Director of Training at Youth Development Inc. in New Mexico. He also has several years of experience as the lead program coordinator at Barrios Unidos in Santa Cruz, CA, where he initiated school-based, community-based, and institution programming. In 1995, he was one of 50 people chosen for the prestigious Kellogg Fellowship, which awarded him $130,000 over three years to make a different in addressing major social issues in the United States and beyond. As a Fellow, Garcia had the opportunity to travel extensively, meeting with notes thinkers, and leaders including President Jimmy Carter, Rigoberta Menchu Foundation in Guatemala City, Bishop, Samuel Ruiz, the Dalai Lama, Parker Palmer, and others. He visited and participated in forums around civic engagement, leadership, and global issues in Brazil, Turkey, Greece, Peru, Guatemala, Belize, South Africa, Mexico, and cities across the United States. As a committed member of his community, Garcia has participated in numerous networks and professional affiliations, including the Latino Network, Violence and Injury Prevention Project, Educational Leadership Institute, Community Action Network, and others. Apache and Chichimeca in origin, Garcia is recognized as an outstanding leader and spiritual activist in Albuquerque, NM. He was recently honored by the Rosebud Tribe. He speaks English and Spanish fluently and has conversational knowledge of Korean. He has been married for twenty-two years to Frances, is the father of three children, Ursula, Albino Jr., and Sylvia, and has two grand-children Mariah and Adriana.


Russell Urban

Program Manager/Ceramics Teacher

Russell Urban came to La Plazita Institute in 2011 as a Pathway Navigation client, and work-study participant of Central New Mexico (CNM).  In 2012, he established a ceramic studio at La Plazita that has seen hundreds of youth and adults participate in creating art.  After receiving his Associates Degree from CNM in 2014, he became a State Certified Community Health Worker/CHW and Pathway Navigator.  In January, 2019 he serves as the Program/Operations Manager, and also offers ceramic arts to those who come through the organization at no cost to them. A lifetime New Mexican he is married to his wife Sandra, rides a Harley Davidson Road King, and is a dedicated Denver Broncos fanatic.


Sylvia Garcia

Pathways Navigator

Sylvia Garcia is a Pathways Navigator/Certified Community Health Worker for La Plazita Institute. The Pathways Program connects underserved families and individuals to the appropriate services that are offered in Bernalillo County to improve their overall health and self-sufficiency. Providing social services, guidance and advocacy is the main goal of the Pathways Program. Bi-weekly Sylvia facilitates women’s spiritual/religious services (sweat lodge ceremony) for all tribes and indigenous groups who reside in the Albuquerque area.


Pablo Soto

Pathways Navigator

Pablo is a life-long resident of New Mexico. He is passionate about sharing knowledge with community, and especially young people facing challenges in their lives. He believes that a connection to traditional agriculture can help heal individuals and help restore healthy communities. The reconnection has been an important transformative part of his life, and he speaks from the experience of planting seeds, and learning through growth. Pablo is a father of four and grandfather of three and wants to be an example to his family by living and working for healthy environments and food practices that are culturally relevant. Pablo Soto is a Pathways Navigator who assists in the health of families and adults by connecting them to appropriate services in Bernalillo county. The goal is to provide the highest level of health and social services coordination and referral network to better service our communities.


Joe Garcia

Director of Garden Wisdom Program

Joe Garcia serves as the Director of the Garden Wisdom Community Scholars Program.  He is of Chicano ancestry from New Mexico. His past experience has been working in gardens for transformative learning since 1991 through various grade levels including elementary schools, high schools, and universities. He has a MA degree in Culture, Ecology and Sustainable Communities from New College of California in San Francisco, and a BS in Crop Science from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. 


Norma Gamble

Human Resource Manager and Fund Development Lead

Norma Gamble was born and raised in Illinois. She recently came out to New Mexico to be part of La Plazita’s Mission. She’s a single mom of two boys. She’s been visiting New Mexico since she was 19 years old and fell in love with the people and culture. She’s a strong advocate for healthcare and supports traditional culture and wellbeing.


Sonia Ornelas

Office Administrator


Erik Rivera

Navigator+, Youth Resiliency Center, TMAC

Mr. Rivera is currently in the position of Youth Reporting Center Coordinator for the South Valley, at La Plazita Institute. He has run the weekly life skills, education and youth support group for males on Wednesday nights for the organization, for four years. In addition to weekly programming, daily activities, youth support groups and maintaining relations with all youth, family and community involved; Erik works with many other local non-profit youth organizations and staff to plan and execute countywide youth events. Mr. Rivera was born and raised in Albuquerque and is in the process of completing his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy with a minor concentration in Fine Arts Studio. He is an Americorps member, and UNM El Centro de la Raza member, Native American Scholarship award winner, UNM Community Engagement Center Public Ally. He is also a father of three beautiful daughters and a proud tribal member of the Navajo Nation, Native New Mexican of Mayan decent and German lineage. His knowledge of his community and Native/Hispanic heritage allows him the ability to connect with the youth in a way that promotes trust and cultural identity. With constant redirection through fundamentals in psychology and ethics in philosophy, he encourages his youth to self-reflect and consistently take responsibility to grow a stronger positive identity; through cultural education and community engagement.


Yárida Estrada

Executive Assistant and Communications Support Specialist


Monserat Rodriguez-Rico

Navigator +, AJ4Y Coordinator, SMAC Facilitator

Monse was drawn to the La Plazita Institute due to LPI’s commitment to community engagement/inclusivity and restorative justice. Prior to being at LPI, Monse received her dual BA from the University of New Mexico in psychology and criminology in May of 2022. Monse also has experience organizing and engaging with mutual aid and education rights groups. She considers both New Mexico and Guanajuato, Mexico home.


Juan Gonzalez

Farm Manager


Sidiq Silguero

Farm Specialist