About - Mandy's Farm

Our Mission

Mandy’s Farm empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to create fulfilling lives through supportive and accessible housing, meaningful employment, and valued community connections.

Our Values

Community

We are committed to collaborating with and meeting the needs of our community to create positive change.

Connection

We are committed to building a sense of belonging and inclusion for all individuals in our community to build social capital and meaning in the lives of those we support.

Inclusion

We prioritize access and equity for people with disabilities, acknowledging that disability intersects with race, gender, and sexual orientation.

Our Vision

Mandy’s Farm has embraced a vision for the future focused on seven areas that directly impact quality of life for adults with disabilities:

Daily Living

Adults with disabilities exert full control over where they live, where they work, and who they spend time with.

Community Access

Diverse needs are welcomed, and centered, within community spaces through universal design.

Economic Opportunity

Adults with disabilities exert full control over financial decisions and have access to employment at minimum wage or higher alongside non-disabled colleagues.

Friends and Relationships

Adults with disabilities live with, work alongside, and have long-term relationships with community members with and without disabilities.

Safety & Autonomy

Adults with disabilities live free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation through community safeguards and individualized resources.

Civic Engagement

Adults with disabilities successfully access the vote, as well as meaningful opportunities to engage in political activities, peaceful protest, and community organizing.

Freedom from Discrimination

Adults with disabilities, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of color, and/or lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, are able to freely exercise the same rights as their white, cisgender, heterosexual, non-disabled counterparts.

JEDI Statement

Mandy’s Farm, in alignment with our mission, vision, and organizational values, is committed to cultivating an environment that honors diversity, and centers equity, justice, access, and inclusion. We acknowledge that identities are intersectional and make up the fabric of our organization: the people we support, our employees, and our community partners. We will be intentional to strengthen our practices of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility within our disability support programs, employee practices, and stakeholder relationships within our community. We will accept accountability when we are wrong, and commit daily to getting it right.

Leadership Team

Melissa McCue

Executive Director

Melissa McCue joined Mandy’s Farm as Executive Director in 2012. Since that time, Melissa has expanded programming significantly, launching the Mandy’s Farm employment and VAMOS programs, as well as building community partnerships supporting the New Mexico AgrAbility Project and expanding the Mandy’s Farm Medicaid services. Melissa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Rehabilitation Services and Communication Disorders and has more than twenty years’ experience in executive and senior management within organizations supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

MAria Sanchez

Operations Director

Maria Sanchez thrives in the world of Operations and Human Resources Management. With a knack for leadership and strategic planning, she enjoys turning challenges into opportunities for growth and improvement. She is all about creating a positive workplace culture and boosting team morale through effective motivational skills. Maria believes a well-organized team is a happy team, so she focuses on organizational planning and process improvement to ensure everything runs smoothly. Her purpose is to provide support for the amazing staff at Mandy’s Farm. She is passionate about the mission and values, and is committed to ensuring that staff have the resources they need to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Amy Berman

Development Director

Amy has over 20 years of nonprofit development experience, is certified in organizational management, and has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She has led several multi-million dollar capital campaigns for facility expansion projects, excels at grant writing, but her most meaningful nonprofit work is getting to know the supporters and carrying out their expectations. She assists Mandy’s Farm in pursuing and securing additional revenues of income to strengthen the programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Eileen Nelson

DD Waiver Director

Eileen Nelson joined Mandy’s Farm as a DSP in 2015 and has worked in and excelled at many roles. Since day one she has dedicated herself to the individuals at Mandy’s Farm, and her journey is fueled by a deep commitment to fostering independence, dignity, and inclusion. Working for Mandy’s has enriched her understanding of compassion, resilience, and the transformative power of empathy. Her goals are to help our individuals grow to be more successful and independent in their own lives. She looks forward to continuing to advocate for and enhance the lives of those we serve.

Alicia De Vargas

Employment Director

Alicia is the Employment Director, bringing several years of experience in social services, education, administration and case management. She began her career in disability services with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and later served as the Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) Coordinator at Mandy’s Farm, where she advanced inclusive employment initiatives. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services with a minor in Chemical Dependencies from Western New Mexico University. She also brings personal experience working with the disability community, which informs her person-centered approach. Alicia is deeply committed to promoting dignity, independence, and meaningful, community-integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Libby Pacheco

Quality Assurance Director

Libby is the Quality Assurance Director at Mandy’s Farm, where she has been a dedicated employee for the past 12 years. Her journey at Mandy’s Farm began as a Direct Support Professional, a role that laid the foundation for her deep understanding of the organization’s mission and values. Through hard work and a commitment to excellence, Libby advanced to the position of Day Program Manager, where she played a key role in enhancing the quality of services provided to individuals in the program.

She now leverages her extensive experience to ensure that all programs and services at Mandy’s Farm meet the highest standards of quality and compliance. Her dedication to continuous improvement and her collaborative approach have been instrumental in fostering a culture of excellence across the organization.

Stephanie Aragon

Training Director

Stephanie is the Training Director at Mandy’s Farm, bringing over 15 years of dedicated service to the organization. She began her career in 2008 as a Residential Direct Support Staff member and advanced as the organization grew, taking on roles aligned with evolving needs. Recognized for her passion for teaching and staff development, her leadership collaborated with her to establish her current position. In her role, she works closely with the Quality Assurance and Human Resources departments to ensure high standards of quality, safety, and compliance. Despite her focus on training and development, she remains strongly connected to her foundation as a Direct Support Professional.

Board of Directors

Peggy Graham, President

Loretta Levy, Vice President

Karen Padilla, Secretary

Pauline Salazar-Riley, Treasurer

Ruthie Horn Robbins, Director Emeritus

Julia Arnold

Sam Bergamo

Melanie Burns

Joshua Elicio

Jonathan Garcia

Michael Hopkins

Erick Johnson

Clara Kilcup

Kenneth Thompson

Nondiscrimination
Notice to the Public

Mandy’s Farm operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, national origin, or disability in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

To find out more about our nondiscrimination obligations, to file a complaint, or to request this information in another language, please contact us at

Mandy’s Farm PO Box 9346, Albuquerque, NM 87119 or (505) 503-1141.

Mandy’s Farm del estado de Nuevo México opera sus programas y servicios, sin distinción de raza, color, origen nacional, y discapacidad, según el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y Los Americanos Aqui Discapacidad Ley de 1990.

Para obtener más información sobre el programa de derechos civiles del Mandy’s Farm para obtener más información sobre los procedimientos para presentar una queja, llame al

Mandy’s Farm PO Box 9346, Albuquerque, NM, (505) 503-1141.

Our Impact

Mandy’s Farm serves over 200 adults with developmental disabilities living in the Albuquerque metro area. 100% of those we serve are living below the federal poverty line. The services at Mandy’s Farm provide a lifeline to adults with developmental disabilities, allowing them to successfully participate in their community, obtain and retain employment, and reduce instances of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.