New and Exciting Volunteer Opportunities!

WE HAVE SOME NEW AND EXCITING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU AND/OR GROUPS THAT YOU MAY BELONG TO! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE OPPORTUNITIES BELOW, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 505-457-1728!

ID Clinic- In partnership with Central United Methodist Church (CUMC), we are holding a weekly ID Clinic to assist clients in both of our programs to obtain ID documents such as Birth Certificates, Driver’s License Renewals, Real ID’s, etc. We are looking for volunteers to help clients every Wednesday from 10AM-12 PM at CUMC on 201 University BLVD ( near UNM Campus). Training will be provided. You do not have to commit to attending every Wednesday, but we do ask that you are available at least 2 Wednesdays a month.

Christmas Party for Asylum Seeking Children- Every year, the Asylum Program has a Christmas Party for the children in our Asylum Program. We are looking for a committee to plan, organize and implement the party this year. If you are interested in working on this committee, you can participate in one part or many parts of this committee, such as shopping for the gifts, wrapping the gifts, attending and helping on the day of the party, etc. The date of the Party will be Saturday, December 3, 2022, location TBD. This is a time limited commitment.

Family Liaison- Our Asylum Program currently has nearly a dozen families waiting to enroll into our program. As a Family Liaison, you will be assigned to work with a family to ensure they have their needs met through our program. There is ongoing training and several of our current Family Liaisons will share their expertise with you to help you get started in this crucial role with our families. Time commitment is initially a few times per week, then as much or as little as your family might need. (typically at least a weekly check in with your family by telephone)

New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC)- We are partnering with NMILC to assist asylum seekers with applying online for asylum and/or work permits. NMILC will provide training and will have specific times/days to volunteer at NMILC to work directly with clients in this process. You must be bilingual and commit to at least one time per month.

FaithWorks Breakfast!

Please see the attached flier for details and information on how to RSVP!

A Handful of Congregations Take on Housing Insecurity through ABQ FaithWorks

by Rev. Jane Davis

First Unitarian of Albuquerque has an annual event in which members of the congregation share information about groups and activities undertaken by the church. The intent is to remind long term congregants and friends as well as to inform and educate new ones. I am involved in several of these groups and activities, but I was honored that this year to be asked to facilitate the ABQ FaithWorks table. I am delighted to report that we had many great discussions about the amazing work being done by ABQ Celebrates Recovery as well, and several people took down the information on volunteer opportunities.

Many people stopped by the ABQ FaithWorks table asking about the organization and volunteer opportunities. I found myself discussing the history and the work of this organization. The people I spoke with were truly amazed at how this organization started with just a handful of churches wanting to address an issue in our community and how ABQ FaithWorks is now a very effective nonprofit addressing an immense need for housing in our community. As I share about ABQ FaithWorks, I realized how impressed I am with this organization, as well as my gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the board of this organization.

Of course, these discussions brought to mind a success story in which I had an opportunity to engage. There was a young man who was struggling with finding temporary housing as he was waiting to get into a long-term sober living residence. By introducing this young man to ABQ FaithWorks, he was able to get into temporary housing, which started him on a path to success. He is now working and flourishing in a sober living community. It was so wonderful to see this happen, considering that what initially engaged me with Albuquerque FaithWorks is that it intersects with my ministry.

I work with people who are returning citizens - returning to our community from incarceration - and those who are struggling with recovery from addiction. I find that most people do not see the intersectionality between this population and housing insecurity, so I really wanted to be a part of this wonderful organization to be able to address that disparity.

The next portion of this Connections Sunday event at First Unitarian of Albuquerque will be held on-line this Sunday, and I am looking forward to another opportunity to share the story of ABQ FaithWorks and how this amazing interfaith organization sprang from just a few congregations seeing the need for the work and foreseeing the power of faith-based organizations collaborating to address their common social concerns.