Jake Stockwell, Chief Operations Officer of Española Pathways Shelter. Courtesy photo

ICOH News:

When 11 local congregations — large and small — joined forces for a winter collection drive to support three busy frontline aid groups in Española, generosity flowed. Over three months, a steady stream of donations from community members and faith groups filled collection boxes staged at each congregation. By the end of the drive, 114 boxes of supplies had been delivered to the Española organizations serving those most in need.

The winter collection drive, organized by the Interfaith Coalition on Homelessness (ICOH), brought vital supplies while also strengthening collaboration among groups serving unhoused and vulnerable residents throughout the Española Valley.

The Los Alamos–based coalition, made up of 11 congregations from Los Alamos County and Española, conducted the drive from November 29 through March 1 to gather essential winter supplies. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the effort collected food, toiletries, blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing. 

The supplies were delivered to three organizations that provide direct support to people experiencing homelessness and financial hardship: the Española Pathways Shelter, Inside Out Recovery Center and McCurdy’s Family Resource Center food pantry.

Local service providers said the donations arrived at a crucial time during the winter season.

“Thank you all for the teamwork and donations that assisted the homeless individuals in Española,” said Kathy Sutherland-Bruaw, Founder and Director of the Inside Out Recovery Center. “The donations that you garnered for us literally got us through a very tough time.”

Staff at the Española Pathways Shelter said the increased availability of basic necessities also helps connect people with longer-term support.

“When these things are available, more clients come through our doors, which is the first step toward recovery and pathways toward housing stability,” said Jake Stockwell, Chief Operations Officer at the shelter.

Beyond the material support, ICOH organizers emphasized that the effort reflects a growing spirit of collaboration across congregations and service organizations and the power of an interfaith effort built around similar values. 

The drive demonstrates how quickly a community can make a difference when working together.

“When we really put our shoulder to the wheel together, we can be quite impactful in just a short period of time – that was just in three months,” Tyler Taylor, founder of ICOH said.

ICOH deeply appreciates all the donors in Los Alamos County and Española whose compassionate efforts made this drive so successful. 

ICOH has already launched new initiatives. Please check the ICOH website at (https://www.icohnm.org/)  for updates about how we can together keep this well-focused neighborly kindness going all year.

Participating Congregations: Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church (Los Alamos), First United Methodist Church of Los Alamos, Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, United Church of Los Alamos, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Los Alamos, both wards), the Los Alamos Jewish Center, The Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church (Los Alamos), Valley View United Methodist Church (Española), White Rock Baptist Church, and White Rock Presbyterian Church.

For more information, visit the ICOH website (https://www.icohnm.org/) or contact Tyler Taylor at tylerinnm@aol.com.

Staff Team at Inside Out Recovery Center. Courtesy photo

Capriza Casias, Director of Family Resource Center at McCurdy Ministries. Courtesy photo