Arturo Saiz was "born and reared" in Belen, and left to get his education in California, earning a master's degree in social work and hanging out with the likes of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.

He came back though. He likes it here.

"I'm a product of Belen public schools," Saiz said.

Saiz has spent his life serving the public. He has been a social worker, community organizer and administrator. He ran a psychiatric hospital in Santa Teresa, N.M., and retired as the head of the New Mexico Fire Academy in Socorro.

If that's not enough, he also advocates for veterans, works with orphans ― both here and in Mexico ― gets scholarships and school supplies for students, has held public office, including a seat on the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District board of directors, and on the Mid-Region Council of Governments. He belongs to too many organizations to list. He has also worked the potato fields of California.

While he continues his work for the public's greater good, he also takes care of his 92-year-old mother.

"I've always been involved with the community," he said.

He got a taste of helping those in need early on. Growing up during The Great Depression, he saw his parents help out people fleeing the Dust Bowl. Many of them stopped on the way to California, where they sought work.

"I saw my parents feeding people sandwiches, beans," he said.

After graduating from high school, Saiz moved to California, and attended community college for a time before matriculating to California State Universtiy at Northridge. He acquired a bachelor's degree in Chicano Studies before transferring to the University of Southern California, where he got his master's degree in social work.

While in California, Saiz worked with Cesar Chavez, a champion of union laborers, a man Saiz has a deep admiration for.

He said Chavez was an honest person, a man who once refused a pay raise and admonished the people who voted to give him one.

"To this day, he is my hero," Saiz said of Chavez.

After a stint in California, Saiz returned to New Mexico and held several positions throughout the state, including deputy treasurer in Bernalillo County.

He is now retired, but continues his social work, something he plans on doing until "the day I die."

He said he sticks to Valencia County, for the most, part because it is important to not "spread yourself too thin."

Saiz has held public office, and said that his interest in politics helps him with his social work.

"I've run a couple of times for public office, county commission, city council," he said. "Won a couple of times, lost a couple."

Saiz is a literacy advocate. He has taught classes and individuals, and feels that people who can communicate are less likely to be exploited.

He loves his home state and its people, everything from its unique take on the Spanish language ― a dialect that maintains a lot of it's roots in Spain ― to it's ethnically diverse, politically active residents.

"In New Mexico, people are very courteous," he said. "We're unique; we're assertive; we ask questions."

He said he is politically moderate, but progressive.

"I'm progressive minded," he said. "You can't stop growth."

He believes the border needs to be controlled, but welcomes the influx of people from Mexico and abroad. He considers it a positive cultural phenomenon in a state with a bilingual culture.

"It's worked out well in this state," he said. "There's been no condescending attitude. People respect each other."

Though it is racially and ethnically diverse, he said people in New Mexico seem to have a good rapport and respect one another, whether they are named John Smith or Jose Gonzales.

As a person who left and came back, Saiz has noticed that many other people may pass through this state ― be they farmers fleeing the Dust Bowl or military people serving a tour ― but they often come back as well.

"People went to California to make a living," he said. "When it was all said and done, they came back."

Saiz said New Mexico spawns a great deal of community minded people who love doing volunteer work and that volunteering begets more volunteering.

"Volunteering has a snowball effect," he said. "I do it; someone else does it. It keeps going."

He has made a living at it, but found the satisfaction of helping people far more rewarding than the money.

"It's never been about the money," he said. "It's about the self gratification."

Veteran advocacy has been a big part of Saiz's work. "I've assisted vets getting benefits. My brother, who passed, was a veteran," he said. "I've always been vet friendly."

Saiz assisted getting the Gene Gilbert Manor built in Albuquerque. The complex houses about 30 veterans who would otherwise be homeless. Many people helped obtain funding for the building

The Casa Colorada Community Center is another one of Saiz's passions. He served on the board dedicated to revamping the old building that now houses the center. His father attended school there and later taught.

A grand opening for the center was held earlier this month

Saiz owns a cabin in the Manzano Mountains that dates to 1828. "It's like a fortress," he said, referring to the building's massive wooden walls.

It has served, among other things, as a convent.

"It's beautiful country," he said.

Saiz lives with his mother, who is 92-years-old. He said he sold his house in order to move in with her. "She's doing good," he said.

Saiz plans on volunteering and serving the community as long as possible.

"I'm fortunate I have my health," he said.

When asked what he does for fun, his response was simple. Other than traveling and seeing his children and grandchildren, Saiz lives to serve the community.

"This is fun," he said. "What is more fun than people? God forbid I become a hermit."