spring
happenings
May 2013 3
CROSSROADS FOR WOMEN:
NEW DIRECTIONS C
During this period Elizabeth and her law partner, Susan Tomita, were talking about how they could fulfill their sense of purpose in improving the lives of those less fortunate. About that time, Elizabeth had a large case settle and Susan brought a steady income into the partnership and they jointly decided to set aside enough to get the non-profit started.
rossroads for Women (CRFW) provides comprehensive, integrated services to support women working to break the cycle of homelessness and incarceration and achieve healthy, stable and self-sufficient lives for themselves and their children. As a transition program for homeless women with co-occurring addictive and mental health disorders, CRFW provides programming in the local jail and works closely with women reintegrating into the community after incarcerations. At the Crossroads community, 30 women are provided with apartments for themselves and their children. Another 12 women reside in a nurturing group setting called Maya’s Place. Support services include intensive case management, therapeutic day program, counseling, parenting assistance, vocational services and healthy community activities.
MOVING
Elizabeth Simpson founded CRFW in 1997 with an original donation of $75,000 while working on a class action case against the jail and trying to improve conditions for the inmates, particularly women with mental illness. Elizabeth says, “Lawsuits have great power to effect change, but they have limitations too. We were, in fact, making great changes in mental health services, but one couldn’t help but notice that the same people would show up in jail over and over. This seemed to be particularly true of women, some of whom had over a hundred bookings, frequently for minor offenses such as littering and public nuisance. We were improving conditions for them in the jail, but they were being turned out to the streets with no chance of making a new life—no shelter, no job, no mental health care, no support.”
CROSSROADS is this month’s
BIKING
F O RWA R D
They soon realized that “wrap around services” in a nurturing, supportive and respectful environment were essential. By 2002 HUD funds became available so that CRFW could provide independent apartments in the community for 20 to 25 homeless women and their children. Counseling and life skills education began with a grant from United Way, and Crossroads began a life skills program in the detention center.
By 2003 they expanded the day treatment program dramatically, adding broader counseling services for client groups and individuals, vocational assistance and therapeutic social activities for the women and their children, as well as after-care. Then in 2005 they instituted a new program for women exiting incarceration; a 12-bed congregate living site called Maya’s Place. Parenting education was implemented at Crossroads and Maya’s Place. CROSSROADS FOR WOMEN is a small non-profit that depends on community support and volunteers. To volunteer, get more information about their admissions process or to make a donation, contact them at info@crossroadsabq.org or call 505242-1010.
BAG CREDIT DOROGANNAIZTAITOIONN
into
SUMMER BY SARAH WENTZEL-FISHER ccording to the City of Albuquerque website, our sunny city features more than 400 miles of on-street bicycle facilities and multiuse trails. Santa Fe offers an amazing network of trails along arroyos that lead to the heart of the city. And, a number of bike organizations throughout the state host bike tours through many of our state’s most magnificent landscapes. While we’re blessed with a climate conducive to riding a bike most days of the year, warm weather should inspire you to lube your chain, fill your tires and hit the trail.
A
The basics of going for a long bike ride in New Mexico are really not so different than other places—except for goat heads. If you make sure your bike is tuned-up, you carry some basic safety equipment and pack snacks, you’re prepped for an enjoyable ride. Test your bike before you go for a long ride. First and foremost, fully inflate your tires. Use a pump with a pressure gauge and make sure you’ve filled them to the recommended PSI. Even the cleanest urban trails can host a variety of sharp objects to leave you with a flat. Get puncture proof tubes, slime your tubes, and carry a spare or a patch kit to ensure you’re not hiking home. Our dry climate means your bike parts need regular lubrication. Stop at your neighborhood bike shop and pick up a bottle of what they recommend—they may suggest different products based on how and where you ride your bike. Further, more than your chain needs to be greased. Your cables and drivetrain should be lubricated. Your bike shouldn’t squeak—if it does and a little lube doesn’t solve the problem, ask for help! In addition to several bike shops
in nearly every neighborhood in the city, a number of good bike mechanics offer house calls or bike pick-up. An annual tune-up for your bike is a great idea. Regular maintenance like inflating your tires and greasing your chain help keep your bike in good working order, but a more thorough tune-up will ensure you can ride your bike for years to come. A good tune-up will assess the condition of your brakes, cables, hubs, wheels and any fasteners, and replace or repair any worn or broken parts. Additionally, it should adjust your brake and drivetrain systems, true your wheels, and completely grease all parts that need lubrication. Be sure to ask questions about what a tune-up includes because most shops offer varying levels of service. Riding your bike can be fun, but it also can be dangerous. Be sure you have appropriate safety equipment— first, wear your helmet correctly, second make sure you have lights and reflectors, third anything you can do to help drivers see you increases your safety. If you ride your bike on the street, it may be hard for even the most observant driver to see you. The recommended strategy for riding in the street is to obey the rules of the road. Always ride with the traffic, stay off sidewalks, stop for red lights, stop at stop signs, and obey all other traffic signs. Even if it seems like there's no compelling reason for you to stop, motorists will give you more respect if they see you obeying the rules. Finally, and perhaps most important, have fun! Biking is an amazing way to experience New Mexico landscapes in a more immediate and intimate way. You will be able to travel distances comparable to a car on paths where cars are not permitted. You will be able to see details in the plants, geology, typography and ecology invisible at typical car speeds. The following sites offer other great suggestions on bike safety and maintenance, where to ride and group tours if you’re interested in going the distance! MORE INFO: www.bikeabq.org www.bikesantafe.org www.bikehubnm.com www.nmcycling.org; www.nmts.org
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Providing integrated services to women to break the cycle of mental illness, homelessness and incarceration for healthy, stable and self-sufficient lives for themselves and their children. Your March Bag Credit donations totaling $2,084.92 were given to Rio Grande Community Farm. Thanks to ALL of you who donated!
Co-op Values Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, selfresponsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. Co-op Principles 1 Voluntary and Open Membership 2 Democratic Member Control 3 Member Economic Participation 4 Autonomy and Independence 5 Education, Training and Information 6 Cooperation among Cooperatives 7 Concern for Community The Co-op Connection is published by La Montanita Coop Supermarket to provide information on La Montanita Co-op Supermarket, the cooperative movement, and the links between food, health, environment and community issues. Opinions expressed herein are of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Co-op.