Members of the Interfaith Coalition on Homelessness meeting Dec. 3 at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Homelessness is a chronic issue throughout Northern New Mexico; no one is immune from it. Take for instance, Española, which is grappling with how to address homeless encampments and Los Alamos is experiencing its own homeless individuals.

In response, an Interfaith Coalition on Homelessness was created to offer remedies to those who find themselves without a home.

According to coalition member Tyler Taylor, the coalition is an interfaith group that includes congregations from Rio Arriba and Los Alamos Counties. Since July, membership has grown from four congregations to 11. He explained that its primary goal is to help reduce homelessness in Española over the next few years, using thoughtful means and partnerships with those in the Valley already working toward that outcome.

Española is the group’s focus because the rates of homelessness and overdose deaths are so extremely high, and that community is just 18 miles from Los Alamos, he said

The coalition’s first step to achieving this goal, Taylor said, has been to raise money for the Española Pathways Shelter. He reported that $10,000 has been raised so far, which will go toward bedding, showers and laundromat access. The needs continue, however; Taylor said funds are being sought as the temperature drops and the shelter resumes opening at night.

This is just one objective, and Taylor said by February the coalition hopes to define its long-term projects. Plus, a focus for the coalition will be to educate itself and build bridges across Los Alamos and Española. This will help the coalition understand what can be done to reduce homelessness and substance abuse disorders, he said.

During a coalition meeting on Dec. 3 at the Unitarian Church, it was emphasized that the work done needs to be done with empathy. Members were encouraged to travel to New Creations in Christ Ministries in Española, which serves a meal to the homeless each Sunday evening.

“Taking the time to actually look the person in the eye … provide them with a little bit of self-respect … hear their story … that’s just a very basic level of help that everybody needs,” said Sandi Trujillo of New Creations in Christ Ministries.

Taylor encourages anyone interested in helping with this effort to join the coalition.

“We’d love to have local people help us in 2025 and beyond,” he said. “There’s no requirement for volunteers to be part of a participating congregation. A wide range of talents will be needed as we move forward.”

For more information, contact Taylor at tylerinnm@aol.com.