ESPAÑOLA – The United Way of Northern New Mexico (UWNNM) has awarded the Española Pathways Shelter with a Community Action Fund Grant Award of $25,000, which includes a $5,000 gift from Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Community Partnerships Office.

The check and award letter were presented during an event Friday, Nov. 19 at the homeless shelter on Riverside in Española.

The shelter was established in 2019 with the mission to prevent homelessness and provide the homeless community with access to viable pathways toward a more productive life. Its objective is to provide individuals aged 18 and over and their families with access to a low-barrier emergency shelter, transitional housing, comprehensive care and other essential supportive services.

Pathways employees and volunteers work every day to achieve that mission and objective. Their proven approach is focused on the fact that most homeless people need a variety of supportive services to effectively transition into productive, stable living. Pathways offers an evidence-based approach as well as wrap-around supportive services that provide comprehensive care along with safe shelter and vital links to more permanent housing and stability.

In 2019, community leaders convened at the United Way Rio Arriba Empowerment Center in Española to create the Shelter’s policies, solicit donations and volunteers and create its Board of Directors. The UWNNM is a founding partner of the Pathways Shelter, which just this month succeeded in obtaining its own IRS 501-c-3 status.

Today the Pathways Shelter operates in two locations in Española and is powered by the hard work and dedication of its staff and community volunteers.

“What an incredible Shelter we have in our region,” said UWNNM Chair Liddie Martinez, who also serves as Regional Market President of Enterprise Bank & Trust. “The warm, welcoming, and safe environment has been made possible by the generosity of our community members who have contributed so much to the success of the shelter. Businesses big and small and community members from even the most rural and frontier areas of Northern New Mexico have generously given to the Shelter and made it the success it is today.”

The event last Friday included a Thanksgiving Meal Celebration assisted by UWNNM volunteers and staff.

“We’ve been supportive of the Shelter since its inception, and we are thrilled to see Shelter thrive today.  We will share the changing day to day needs of the Shelter on the United Way of Northern New Mexico Facebook page for those who want to learn more about the Shelter,” UWNNM Executive Director Monica Griego said. “Anyone interested in donating to the Shelter can visit https://www.unitedwaynnm.org/donate or email me directly at ExecutiveDirector@UnitedWayNNM.org.”

Throughout the day, UWNNM staff and volunteers delivered warm blankets and jackets donated by small businesses in Los Alamos and supported the Shelter’s Thanksgiving celebration, which brought together dozens of guests for a warm home cooked meal consisting of roasted turkey, baked ham, baked rolls, stuffing, green bean casseroles, mashed potatoes and gravy, traditional Thanksgiving baked pastries and pies, and of course green and red chile.

“I have so much gratitude to the Pathways staff and United Way volunteers who worked hours to make this holiday celebration special,” said UWNNM Collective Impact Coordinator Cristian Madrid, who serves on the Pathways Board of Directors. “Every detail of the meal and gathering was planned with care and thoughtfulness.”

About the United Way of Northern New Mexico:

Since 1954, UWNNM has united organizations and companies to activate solutions for the region’s most pressing issues. UWNNM fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in Los Alamos and Rio Arriba County. Its work is fueled by companies and their employees who give their time, their money and their voice to improve the lives of others. For more information about the United Way of Northern New Mexico, visit www.unitedwaynnm.org.

Celebrating the proclamation from Los Alamos County Council declaring Nov. 30 ‘Giving Tuesday’, from left, Pathways Board Member & UWNNM Collective Impact Coordinator Cristian Madrid, UWNNM Executive Director Monica Griego, Pathways Interim Board Chair Yvonne Maestas and UWNNM Intern Meghan Schroeder Nov. 19 at the Pathways Shelter in Española. Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com

View of a homeless family room at the Pathways Shelter in Española. Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com

UWNNM Board of Trustees Vice President Carol A. Clark helps stock shelves with community donations during a site visit Nov. 19 at the Pathways Shelter in Española. Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com

Homeless clients leave messages of appreciation to the employees and volunteers who help them at the Pathways Shelter in Española. Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com Pathways Shelter in Española. Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com

Scene of Thanksgiving event for homeless clients Friday at the Pathways Shelter in Española. Courtesy/UWNNM

Scene of Thanksgiving event for homeless clients Friday at the Pathways Shelter in Española. Courtesy/UWNNM

Scene of Thanksgiving event for homeless clients Friday at the Pathways Shelter in Española. Courtesy/UWNNM