By CORY STYRON
Director
County Community Services Department
Over the past six months our Social Services Division, led by Manager Jessica Strong under the Los Alamos County Community Services Department, has initiated a new pilot program focused on mobile outreach services. This endeavor aims to support individuals in our community who are currently experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of becoming homeless. It’s an initiative funded by a $165,000 grant from the New Mexico Department of Health, and I am proud to say that Los Alamos is among fourteen counties selected to pioneer such outreach programs.
In implementing this program, we have welcomed Jeramay Martinez, a dedicated part-time health care specialist. Jeramay serves as our outreach coordinator, directly engaging with individuals facing homelessness. Her role involves working with these individuals to assess their immediate needs, discussing long-term goals, and facilitating connections to other vital resources and agencies. Whether it’s emergency food aid through LA Cares and the Santa Fe Food Depot, assistance with paperwork for obtaining benefits, or coordinating with our Case Coordination Specialist Deni Fell and organizations like the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board and Los Alamos Retired Senior Organization, Jeramay is at the forefront, making a tangible difference.
Building an effective and timely referral network has proven essential in our mission to assist as swiftly and efficiently as possible. The grant allows us to provide immediate aid, such as emergency gift cards for groceries and gas, which are crucial for maintaining or finding employment. Additionally, we host the Santa Fe Civic Housing Authority in our office twice a month on Wednesdays to help reduce the logistical challenges our clients might face traveling to the office in Espanola. A full schedule of dates and times is posted on our website at https://losalamosnm.us/NeedAssistance. The next visit is slated for May 8.
Networking with other grant-recipient counties like Rio Arriba County has also been invaluable, allowing us to learn and adapt successful strategies from our neighbors. Moreover, we have been establishing relationships with local organizations to assist with immediate, basic needs. These partnerships have enabled access to essential services like hot showers, safe sleeping locations during harsh weather, and even car repairs for those living in their vehicles. We continue to build relationships with other organizations as needs arise.
Despite the limitations of the grant, which restricts us from covering direct housing-related costs like rent payments or utility bills, we remain committed. These constraints, coupled with the state’s Anti-Donation clause, sometimes challenge our efforts to swiftly transition individuals into safe, affordable housing. Nevertheless, we celebrate every success, big or small. To date, we have assisted more than 30 community members that are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. We have helped some to secure more permanent housing with more in the process. We have helped others to find employment (some for the first time in several years). We are also connecting people to crucial medical help, including mental health treatment and dental care.
For anyone struggling with housing stability, I encourage you to call our Social Services Division 505.662.8068 to make an appointment. We are here to help assess your situation and see if you qualify for assistance. Additional information can also be found on our website at https://losalamosnm.us/NeedAssistance. Jessica and her team are dedicated to not just assisting our community members, but also sharing and amplifying their stories, fostering hope and promoting a sense of collective support.
In our ongoing mission, we remain steadfast, learning and adapting to meet the needs of our community members. Together, we are making a difference, one person at a time.
About Cory Styron:
Cory Styron has served as the Director of the Los Alamos County Community Services Division (CSD) for nearly four years, leading with a commitment to enhancing the quality of life and economic vitality of the community. Under his leadership, CSD encompasses a wide range of services including the Library, Parks, Open Space and Trails, Recreation, Ice Rink, Aquatics, and Golf Divisions. Additionally, the division extends its reach by providing vital Social and Cultural Services to children, teens, seniors, and families, partnering with various outside agencies.
