SUCCESS!!!

Join us in congratulating Asylum Program Participant, Norma*, on her recent graduation from Master Barber School! Norma and her family have shown amazing perseverance, determination, and resiliency in achieving this important milestone. Supporting her on this journey has been her incredible ABQ FaithWorks Family Liaison volunteer Ann Ziegler. For over two years, Ann has assisted Norma by providing one-on-one ESL classes (over Zoom during Covid); by dropping off library books, ABQ FaithWorks food boxes, and carefully-selected recipes (part of a Nutrition Program that Ann valiantly organized); and by celebrating birthdays, work permits, and now graduation!

This accomplishment displays what is possible when we partner inspirational and hard-working asylum-seekers like Norma with dedicated and creative ABQ FaithWorks Collaborative volunteers like Ann. Together we are learning, serving, advocating for, and cheering on our new neighbors like Norma. We wish Norma all the best in her new career!

*Please note that we changed the participant’s name for confidentiality reasons.

Thank you, St. Thomas of Canterbury!

St. Thomas of Canterbury recently contributed to ABQ FaithWorks Rapid Rehousing program by donating our first Home Starter Kit.

ABQ FaithWorks Rapid Rehousing program helps families experiencing homelessness find secure, safe, stable, and affordable housing. This program provides families with case management, rental assistance, and support services to help them achieve long-term housing stability. The program's goal is to help families secure housing and gain stability.

The Home Starter Kit provided by St. Thomas of Canterbury included essential household items such as linens, kitchen utensils, and other necessities that make a house feel like a home. The family who received this gift was overjoyed and deeply grateful for the support they received from the church.

The selflessness and compassion shown by St. Thomas of Canterbury is a true testament to the love and generosity within our member congregations. We are deeply grateful for their support and for the difference they have made in the lives of those in need.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to St. Thomas of Canterbury for their generosity and kindness. Your donation has made a meaningful difference in this family's life and has helped bring hope and comfort.

The Rapid Rehousing Program is looking forward to seeing other families move into housing and partnering with other churches in our collaboration to give out more Home Starter Kits.

If you or your church is interested in helping with a Home Starter Kit, please contact Abbey at 505-225-2752.

FAITHWORKS' DIRECTORS ADDRESS STUDENT BODY OF MENAUL SCHOOL

On Tuesday, January 24th, FaithWorks’ Directors Abbey Reed and Elijah Martinez spoke to the upper school student body of Menaul School about their respective programs. The students were engaged and interested in the work that FaithWorks does with both the unhoused community and the Immigrant community in Albuquerque.

The students and faculty asked insightful questions and participated by sharing their thoughts and pre-conceived notions about immigrants and people who are unhoused.

Elijah asked the audience to imagine walking from Albuquerque to Chicago to flee political and personal violence, only to be told that they must wait for months on the outskirts of Chicago until their numbers were called. He further asked them to imagine that when their number was called, that they were denied entrance into Chicago, sometimes without any reason being given. This imaginable example helped the students to understand the plight of some asylum seekers.

Abbey noted that one of the largest populations among our unhoused neighbors are those aged 18-25 years, who often have no familial safety net. They are often referred to as “the hidden homeless”. This resonated with the young folks in the audience who themselves are approaching that age group. Abbey made a specific ask of the students; to be kind to those they may encounter on our streets and to consider volunteering at a homeless shelter or foodbank.

FaithWorks is committed to changing the narrative around these two marginalized populations and both Directors challenged the students to question their ideas about who makes up the unhoused population in our City and who are the asylum seekers and refugees who have made Albuquerque their home. Educating our youth and asking them to think about these very complex social issues is important to the ongoing work that we do at FaithWorks and part of

our mission. Every opportunity we have to engage others in these important conversations helps us to further the goals of FaithWorks as a partner in our community.