The Voice of La Puente
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Doing good holds the power to transform us on the inside, and then ripple out in ever-expanding circles that positively impact the world at large.
The Voice of La Puente is a quarterly publication that is meant to provide readers with a glimpse of the day-to-day life at La Puente. It is a way to share the goals, dreams, and accomplishments of our staff, guests, and clients. La Puente strives to provide support and resources to the residents of the Valley experiencing crisis. We could not accomplish what we do without your support and commitment. If you would like more information or would like to join our electronic mailing list, visit www.lapuente.net.
La Puente endeavors to meet immediate needs and empower people to live independently, with dignity. We provide emergency shelter, food assistance, transitional housing, self-sufficiency services, homeless prevention, community outreach services, and job training for the homeless and others in our community.
www.lapuente.net 911 State Ave 719.587.3499 Like us on Facebook!
Created and Edited by Stephanie Card Some names have been changed to protect individuals’ privacy. Quote on front cover attributed to Shari Arison.
Table of Contents Letter from the Editor.........................................2 Love.............................................................................3 Counting the Homeless.......................................4 Thanksgiving Kid Style........................................8 Uplifted Spirits.....................................................10 Staying Positive...................................................11 Small Salutes.......................................................12 The Things that Matter......................................13 Sharing the Harvest............................................14 The Delivery.........................................................15 Motivation..............................................................16 The Power of Words..........................................17 A Boy and His Toys............................................18 Second Chances.................................................19 Gray Area................................................................20 Giving the Numbers a Face..............................21 Working Up Tears...............................................22 A Few Hours of Love.........................................23 La Puente Needs List........................................24 Want to Volunteer?.............................................27 We Need Your Support!....................................28
Letter from the Editor By: Stephanie Card People often say that the work we do at La Puente is rewarding because of all the wonderful things we do for the homeless community, and it is! It is a very rewarding field but not always because of what we do day in and day out, but because of small acts of kindness from our staff, our clients, and the community. These acts of kindness come in many forms and often in unexpected places. It might be a small child who asks an innocent question bringing a smile to your face, a client who offers their help and doesn’t expect anything in return, or a volunteer who gives their time because of what someone once did for them. When we witness these acts of kindness, they have an effect on us, even if they weren’t directed our way. They act as reminders that the small things do count. A smile, a simple conversation, or putting in a little extra effort can make a world of difference, especially in the service industry. Scott Adams once said, “Remember there is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” I believe there is truth to this. Acts of kindness have a ripple effect; they spread and reach us in ways we never thought possible. We offer our services every day, but in the end, it’s the small things that add up and make them worthwhile. In 2014, the shelter housed 779 guests. 2
Love There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer, No disease that enough love will not heal, No door that enough love will not open, No gulf that enough love will not bridge, No wall that enough love will not throw down, No sin that enough love will not redeem.
It makes no difference How deeply seated may be the trouble How hopeless the outlook, How muddled the tangle, How great the mistake. A realization of love will dissolve it all, If only you could love enough, You would be the happiest And most powerful being in the World.
By: Juanito Quintana, A Friend of La Puente
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Counting the Homeless By: Lance Cheslock Every year, cities and regions throughout the U. S. are required to conduct a “point-in-time” count that surveys people who are “homeless”. This number is reported to the State and to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and becomes an indicator of the need in that particular community. This is always a daunting task for La Puente. In rural areas, such as the San Luis Valley, the enormity of the task cannot be overstated. The Valley’s six counties have more square mileage than the state of Massachusetts, and this count is supposed to be done during a short interval of time, using volunteers. In effect, we were only able to touch upon a few of the communities that we serve. This year we wanted to explore and reach out to those who live in makeshift housing throughout the isolated flats of the Valley. What we found was rather disturbing. After documenting those who were at the shelter, those that we knew were unsheltered in the dark reaches of Alamosa, and a large building in one of our agricultural communities (name withheld intentionally) with over 100 people living in it (bathrooms, but no cooking facilities), we found over 250 occupied dwellings that were not fit for human habitation (no running water, no electricity or no heat.) Nearly all of these dwellings were miles from any main road, hidden within the desolate landscape. The dwellings were provisional in nature and included old camping trailers, out of service buses, storage sheds, and dwellings cobbled together with a myriad of materials, usually scraps that were being re-purposed in the attempt to create a survivable structure. 4
Home is a notion that only nations of the homeless fully appreciate and only the uprooted comprehend.
-Wallace Stegner
These “invisible” communities are void of any safety net. Law enforcement rarely ventures down such roads, there are no public utilities within miles of most dwellings, no cell phone service or postal service, and a winter or spring storm can make the roads impassable for days. Those who experience a medical emergency or simply a flat tire, are at the mercy of the elements, as they must walk long distances to seek out assistance. We came across a man and his mother living remotely in an old mobile home. They had a flat tire on their vehicle. The son was concerned about their waning food supply and his mother’s diabetes medication. Their plan was to wait until the first of the month to hitchhike into town and get their February allotment of food stamps. He was then going to sell the food stamps to get his tire fixed and secure his mother’s medication. It was a heartache to discover that many dwellings were the homes of veterans, most of whom had been disabled from their stint in one of the wars. Wary of visitors, their self-isolating nature was usually a result of Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD). Given the lack of the presence of law enforcement, and a history of theft and vandalism throughout the flats, many of the vets and dwellers carried firearms or had dogs to ensure the safety and security of their property and possessions. The dwellings were also the homes of many elderly, families, immigrants, urban refugees and “homesteaders.” A common thread throughout the flats was the urgency to give attention to addressing basic health and safety needs. This will take years to deal with. 5
In just a few days, we counted and surveyed over 950 homeless individuals for our Valley’s point-in-time count. In the end, our statistical “rate” of homelessness calculates to 206 people per 10,000. This “206” score is more than 10 times the national average, more than double any given state’s rate as measured by the National Alliance to End Homelessness in 2012. The San Luis Valley, and many other poor, rural communities continue to experience widespread, disproportionate need, yet have severely limited resources. Communities like ours seem invisible to policy makers and the distant resources who congregate in urban America. We are so grateful for those who understand what we are up against and those that support us in making our work possible. Yes, there is a lot of work to do!
The map above illustrates the national variation in the rate of homelessness per 10,000 people. Nationally, the rate of homelessness at one point-in-time in January 2012 was 20 people experiencing homelessness per 10,000 people in the population. Source: The National Alliance to End Homelessness “The State of Homelessness in America, 2013” report.
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Members from our board join us for a Christmas Celebration!
A Thief in the Night A thief crept into a farmer’s house one night and emptied his storeroom. When the farmer awoke in the morning he discovered he had lost everything he owned of great value. Weeping and wailing, he called together all of his friends and relatives. “Help me in my time of great trouble,” he cried. The first neighbor sighed and said, “It was not wise of you to boast to all how rich you have become.” A second neighbor stepped forward. “In the future you must be more careful and lock your storeroom more securely.” One of the relatives now spoke. “What you must do now is protect your valuables with guard dogs. Surely you will be able to find animals as brave as mine who will run off any thieves who come to you in the night.” After listening to the dozens of pieces of advice from his loving friends and relatives, the man went to his house and wept. Though the people had been free with words of counsel, not a single person had offered to help the poor fellow.
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One drop of water helps to swell the ocean; a spark of fire helps to give light to the world. None are too small, too feeble, too poor to be of service. Think of this and act.
– Hannah More
Thanksgiving Kid Style By: Bethany Howell “Mom, this is my friend Leo. Can I play basketball with him?” This came from my nine year old daughter the afternoon of Thanksgiving. As we were volunteering to help with Thanksgiving Dinner at the shelter, I was a little surprised that she already made a friend. I shrugged it off as a friendship made in the typical kid-style – you see a kid your own age – automatic friends. When it came time to serve the meal, I enlisted my daughter to stand alongside me and hand out plates of food. Her friend Leo wanted to help as well. The three of us shuttled plates piled high with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and rolls for the next hour until all the guests were served. Leo left to join his family as they ate – which is when I realized that Leo wasn’t a volunteer like my daughter and I – he and his parents and little sister were currently guests at the shelter. As a parent, I think I’m fairly typical. I want my children to grow up and have an appreciation for how good they really have it. I want them to know how important it is to give back, to be compassionate, to be servant-hearted. To that end, I was excited to sign up my entire family to help serve Thanksgiving dinner at the shelter. They will learn about giving back, I thought with a warm glow of self-congratulation.
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My daughter and Leo continued to pal around for the rest of the afternoon. Driving home, we had a profound (for me) conversation. “Did you just meet Leo today?” I asked her casually. “No, he’s in my class at school,” she replied, looking out the window. “Did you know he was staying at the shelter?” I probed. “Nope. Mom, I really liked playing basketball!” She didn’t care that Leo was technically homeless. To her, he was simply a playmate, a classmate she enjoyed being around, and what a bonus that he was there on Thanksgiving to relieve her from Mom-dictated “service.” As I turned this over in my mind, I realized that her brand of service did more for Leo than mine.
A volunteer serves our guests a delicious Thanksgiving meal.
While the food was delicious and I’m sure he appreciated the meal – what he enjoyed even more was having someone his own age there who didn’t see him as someone to be helped. I remembered my own Thanksgivings growing up and how the best part of the holiday wasn’t the meal, it was playing with my cousins and sisters. In the car on the way home from La Puente’s Thanksgiving, I was grateful to have a daughter who gave a better Thanksgiving gift than I did and who ended up teaching me that service isn’t always about handing out food.
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Uplifted Spirits By: Kelsey Moody Having worked at the shelter for six months, I often feel like I know how to successfully manage day to day affairs. However, there are still days when it’s easy to get overwhelmed, and I feel as if I’m getting pulled in many different directions. On days like this, Shelter guests are often very helpful. They might do chores that aren’t assigned to them or help with lunch or dinner - anything to ease the chaotic nature of our day-to-day tasks. But of course, our guests’ first priority is doing what is necessary to resolve their situation. This takes time and energy, and all of the shelter employees are very much appreciative when a guest is able to help in any way. One guest in particular, Katherine, was exceptionally helpful, not only in tasks that needed to be done around the shelter but also in her compassion towards other guests. Katherine, who is extremely capable and lively, took it upon herself to assist guests who were less able to help themselves, all the while still very involved in finding her own housing. On days when I found myself becoming overwhelmed, I was uplifted by Katherine’s actions. The way she empathized with and supported other guests, her determination to resolve her situation, and her overall generosity were very encouraging to me; she made those overwhelming days worthwhile. A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.
- The Buddha
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Paige comforting one of our PALS kids.
Staying Positive By: Paige Rutkowski When Emily and John first came to PALS their unhappiness and inner turmoil was clear to see. Both children had undergone significant amounts of abuse in their young lives and were struggling to cope with the events of their pasts. Dysfunction had become the norm for both children and they began acting out. I cannot imagine the pain the children must be going through not knowing when or if they will ever see their parents again. Both children were placed in foster care and joined PALS shortly after. In just a few short weeks they became more talkative, started to make progress in school and most of all, began to smile and laugh. Due to the nurturing nature and support of the PALS program these children have a chance at a brighter future. It is a true joy to see both children grow and progress in this new nurturing environment. 11
Small Salutes By: Elisabeth Tissell We often assume that life-changing stories will make a dent in our minds, but more often than not they are subtle and gradual impacts. Only in looking back over the weeks and months can we see the full story unwind. I recall one of my first home visits as a new case manager. I barely knew my client, Theresa, on a professional level, much less on a personal one. As she recounted her struggles we shared a raw moment of empathy, tears leaking out of our eyes. That visit laid the foundation for our mutual rapport. Since then we have been able to collaborate on her goals and re-focus on the tools she needs to attain them. Theresa is a diligent student and devoted mother, yet she faces a variety of health issues that often leave her sleepless or unable to effectively cope with life’s challenges. We worked together to identify different medications and techniques, and made progress towards finding a better solution. We took things one week at a time, and by the time Theresa exited the program, we had developed mutual respect for each other. Sometimes the most powerful impact we can have in another’s life is recognizing the value of his or her humanity. When we remind others of their worth and potential, we respectfully salute them. Such a salute may appear inconsequential, but if I have learned anything at Adelante, it is that the small things create ripples too. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.
– Robert Francis Kennedy
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The Things That Matter By: Felix Holubek When watching TV or reading the news I often come across stories of higher middle-class or very wealthy people that are dealing with problems in their life brought about by more luxurious standards. Should I invest in the newest technology? Should I buy a new car? Being in my current position, these “problems” seem irrelevant. However, these people may not realize that they have elevated standards, and I wonder, is it possible that these standards are in the way of focusing on more important matters?
Community members drop off a donation.
Recently I was bringing a donation of clothes to the shelter. I must have dropped a woman’s jacket by accident because a gentlemen standing nearby retrieved the jacket and brought it over to me. When he told me of my mishap, he continued to ask if he could keep the jacket. Instinctively, I answered, “But this is a woman’s jacket…” He kindly explained to me that whether it was a man’s or woman’s jacket did not matter as long as it kept him warm. My standards may be lower than others’, but I still carry assumptions that do not apply to everyone, as most of us probably do. This reminded me that humbling encounters can be found in many places, as long as you keep your eyes and mind open to them. 13
Sharing the Harvest By: Cody Robson Garden camp is a time for children to learn about food and where it comes from, and crafts are often included as part of the lesson. One of our crafts was to make harvest bags and fill them with food to take home. This particular day also happened to be one of our campers, Ruby’s, birthday! So in an effort to make her day special, I made an extra harvest bag for her. Instead of filling the bags with food for herself, Ruby filled them both with food for her little brother who was too young to participate in garden camp. Some kids truly remind us of how we should behave as citizens of the world. Helping others above ourselves is one of the best things anyone can Planting seeds at Garden Camp. learn to do.
The Wise Woman
A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But, a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. “I’ve been thinking,” he said. “I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone.” Sometimes it’s not the wealth you have but, what’s inside you that others need.
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The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.
-Albert Schweitzer
The Delivery By: Tara Bay Every year the Food Bank Network provides boxes of food equipped with all the necessities for a Thanksgiving meal. Last year, I helped the Food Bank make phone calls to people who were qualified, so it wasn’t much of a surprise when a few people called my number asking about the boxes. We put them on the waiting list, and just a few days later I was told I could deliver their boxes. When I got to the first woman’s house she explained to me that many of her friends and family had already provided her with the food she needs, and she did not feel comfortable taking the box. However, she proceeded to give me the name of another woman who was going through a rough patch and could use the food. So I continued my journey to yet another house; I knocked on her door, gave her the food, and explained the situation. She immediately burst into tears. It turns out she has never qualified for assistance before and had no idea how she was going to put food on the table. That box of food was just what she needed, a miracle, made possible through the generosity of others. I love the work that I do because of the help we can provide for people like this woman and her family. She was not expecting help but it came to her forwarded from a friend. It was possible for me to be a part of this gift of love because of the love people in the community have for each other. That is humbling and amazing.
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Motivation By: Lance Cheslock Victor Villaseñior writes, “My father insisted on telling us stories because he was preparing us to survive. He would tell us that a boy of fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen who is well prepared can be dropped off anywhere Joshua starting his burrito business. on the planet and will “Anything to move ahead in life!” be able to survive. “Within thirty days, he will be doing well.” The boy doesn’t need to speak the language, he told us; he needs no money. My father would say, “If you are dropped off somewhere and are willing to work, just start washing dishes. You’ll get fed. Start cleaning up and you’ll be given a place to sleep. As soon as people see you are willing to wash dishes and you are willing to work, people will start liking you, because most people go around being arrogant, lazy, and not willing to work.” Within a day of arriving at La Puente, Joshua was washing dishes, and voluntarily cleaned the laundry room and organized the pantry. The next day he got a bucket, some towels and a squeegee, and went about town washing windows for a few dollars. A couple mornings later, he used his window-washing earnings to purchase the ingredients for 40 breakfast burritos, and was selling them for two bucks each in front of La Puente, playfully engaging the cars that drove by. Joshua embodies the spirit of author Victor Villaseñior’s father, and given his focus and motivation, will be on his own in no time. And oh yeah… his burritos were mighty tasty! 16
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
- Mother Teresa
The Power of Words By: Alaina Smith During a home visit, James and Natalia expressed feelings of worry and frustration about their 3 year old daughter, Josefina, who has speech delays and is fearful of others. I mentioned the idea that positive words and environments are powerful, and how children are affected by their environment, even while still growing in the womb. James caught on to this idea and spoke of a documentary he’d seen that demonstrated the physical effects created in the environment, physical changes in the molecules of the air around you, that happen by simply speaking positive words. Josefina’s fear of strangers, of her own male relatives, and her speech delays are in many ways a result of the harsh environment that she felt around her as a baby. The beauty of this, however, is that this doesn’t have to affect her for the rest of her life; bringing in more positive thinking and speaking can help her heal and grow. Don Miguel Ruiz says, “Be impeccable with your word...use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.” The words we speak are powerful, and by using kindness in our speech we create a true ripple effect of love and positivity. Family life skills classes help parents learn how to play with their children.
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A Boy and His Toys By: Teotenantzin Ruybal It was a cold afternoon in December about two weeks before the Outreach Christmas party, a wonderful event where every community member who comes to see Santa gets a gift. I was in the office of the shelter when a deacon from the Catholic Church in Monte Vista came in with several bags of toys for the Christmas party. I was very excited when I greeted him and asked to get the information of the donor so we could be sure to send along a thank you note. The deacon was quick to inform me that he was not the donor, simply the delivery man. He explained to me that the donor was a young boy from his church. This boy was a quadriplegic and could not use or play with many (if any) Christmas toys. He, though not able to walk, was very aware that there were plenty of children out there who would be delighted to have the toys he could not play with. So, this young man informed his parents that instead of him getting any toys that he could not use for Christmas, he would rather go shopping with his family, pick out toys for other kids and donate them to La Puente’s Christmas party. In the bags (and there were several) were toys for children of all ages. This young boy, though I never met him and didn’t get to thank him personally, showed me the TRUE meaning of Christmas. He showed me that even though he could not enjoy the gifts that are traditionally enjoyed by a person of his age, there was no reason he could not provide for another child to enjoy them. 18
PALS count down the days to Christmas
Each choice we make causes a ripple effect in our lives. When things happen to us, it is the reaction we choose that can create the difference between the sorrows of our past and the joy in our future.
–Chelle Thompson
Second Chances By: Alex Mayugba During my first few weeks at the shelter, we were surprised to find that our storage shed had been raided and many of our supplies damaged and unsalvageable. We later discovered that the man responsible was an individual who was suffering from severe mental illness. Several months had passed, and once this man was discharged from jail he had nowhere to turn but the shelter. We were apprehensive about having him stay, considering our initial impression, but once he sincerely apologized for what he’d done the shelter permitted him to check in. Throughout the days that followed, this man quietly strolled about the shelter and always completed his chores. I had serious difficulty imagining that this was the same man who had cost us our supplies. Soon after, I found myself scrambling in the kitchen alone, struggling to make an elaborate dinner for the shelter guests on Christmas Eve. This man sensed that I needed help and asked if there was anything he could do. Before long, he was regularly assisting me and other shelter employees in the kitchen and throughout the shelter. He went from being one of the most destructive guests to one of the most helpful, showing his determination to better himself and right his wrongs. Sometimes second chances are worth the risk. 19
Gray Area By: Andrea Preciado Kevin and his family had only been staying at the shelter for about a week before Kevin found a full-time job, but that wasn’t enough to help get his family back on their feet. Kevin was the only one in his family working and since his income was high enough, he was continually being overlooked when it came to rental assistance. However, it was clear to me that this family needed that assistance and help finding housing, so I took Kevin on as my client. We went over all the paperwork, created a budget, and began looking for housing together, and within a week we had found him a home. Kevin is a very motivated and punctual man, one of the best clients I’ve ever had. After working with him, I realized just how important it is to look at a client’s current situation and not just their income to understand what it is they’re going through, empathize with them, and do your best to meet them where they’re at. Today, Kevin and his family are still in their home. Kevin is considering taking on a second job and his wife is taking online classes, working towards her GED. This family didn’t need much help, just enough to get them back on their feet and on the road to success.
Haley helps a client with utility assistance.
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Giving the Numbers a Face By: Rachel Woolworth
Working at the Food Bank makes it easy to become absorbed in quantitative data: the poundage of produce here, the number of pallets there. Because we deal with such a great quantity of food each day, donors can easily become faceless and the intrinsic value of food can be lost. In mid-December we got a call from Ms. Mason, a second grade teacher at Alamosa Elementary, informing us that she had a food drive for us to pick up. When we arrived at Ms. Mason’s classroom, around 400 pounds of food awaited us, much more than we imagined. Yet the really special thing about this donation was that it was illustrated. Ms. Mason’s pupils had each decorated a paper bag to put their donations in. The bags were covered with drawings of fruits and vegetables, families eating together, gardens, and more. Though the kids were out on holiday vacation, their voices and intent of giving spoke to us through their drawings. After examining all the illustrations, Ms. Mason told us how her class visited each second grade classroom to advertise their food drive, giving a presentation on hunger in the United States and leading a “food bank cheer.” By decorating their food drive, the second graders did not just give us a donation but individual stories of what food means to them. Today, their drawings hang in the Food Bank hallway, reminding me to find purpose within the numbers and the poundage, that the generosity of donors is always vibrant, and food holds different value for everyone.
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Working Up Tears By: Kristen Hartley We tend to think of service as a way to give to others and as a means to feel good about ourselves. As a Volunteer Coordinator I see people that accomplish this quite well, but I also see many people who develop an understanding of service on a much deeper level. I recently learned that the word compassion in Latin means “to suffer with,” and I believe this speaks greatly to many people’s experience with service at La Puente. One summer I was leading a work group and one of the women was in a wheelchair. To accommodate for her limited mobility, we spent the morning with two other ladies assembling hygiene kits. Around noon, we joined the rest of the shelter for lunch. While one of the women was steering the wheelchair through the crowded dining room, a shelter guest stopped his meal and came over to help. After situating the wheelchair at the table he proceeded to bring each woman a glass of water, smiling the entire time, before returning to his meal. After the meal, I stood near the corner of the shelter with one of the ladies who had tears in her eyes. That’s when I knew that she understood - this guest was a person, just like her. She could easily have been in a similar situation. Moreover, he wanted to help and care for others just like she did. These commonalities made his situation very real to her and gave her true compassion for him in his sufferings. While this kind of service can hurt, it is what brings reality and true meaning to the work that we do. And while this work is important, it is never as important as those whom we do it for.
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A Few Hours of Love By: Tope Aiyeku As Anna ran out of Alamosa Elementary to line up for PALS, she grabbed my hand and asked, “I’m not sure, am I going to PALS today?” I hesitated to answer because I knew she hadn’t been told her mother canceled their weekly supervised visit. She looked around for her case manager, but he was nowhere to be found. In that moment, she realized her mother would not be coming to visit her. As I held her hand I could see she was fighting back tears. I bent down and said, “I am sorry Anna, your visit was cancelled; you are coming with us today.” Anna’s spirit slowly lifted. She rejoined her PALS peers in line and sat by herself on the bus. I could tell she was lost in her own thoughts.
PALS make valentines.
In PALS, each child has their own unique story but similar to Anna’s - full of disappointment and dashed hopes, but for a few hours during and after school, Anna is safe and loved. The PALS Children’s Program is more than just an afterschool program, it’s a place where children are encouraged to express themselves and strive to overcome obstacles. It has been my honor to work alongside these children and be with them as they face these difficult situations. 23
La Puente VEGI • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
2 javens forks 6 shovels/4 rakes 5 hand trowels 6 tool handles Tape measures Scissors 600 ft of heavy gauge galvanized wire Potting soil 20 gardening gloves 2 wheelbarrows 3 wheelbarrow wheels Bike pump Paper 4’’ pots for seedlings or individual yogurt cups Row cover/Agribon Quart/gallon Ziplock bags Colored markers 1 roll of baling wire 10 t-posts 4 spray nozzles Soil
Rethreads • • • •
Dish soap, laundry detergent Hygiene items Men’s clothing (all sizes) Silverware and dishware
Food Bank • Plastic quart sized bags (to separate bulk items) • Canned protein (peanut butter, tuna, chicken, beans) • Baking needs (flour, sugar, baking powder, etc.) • Kid-friendly food (i.e. applesauce, granola bars) • Dry erase markers • Permanent markers
PALS • Sponsor a field trip for our kids
Administration • Volunteer receptionist for mornings or afternoons • Office supplies for all programs (copy paper, ink pens, staples, pencils, post-its) • 6 plastic anti-static floor mats • Manila file folders
Milagros • Chafing dishes and dish sets
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Needs List Adelante • Cars and bicycles for family transportation • Inexpensive/free car repairs • Phone cards (Straight-Talk or Verizon) • Gas vouchers to attend work/ school • Life skills speaker to talk about children’s financial literacy • Toiletries for men, women, and children • Diapers of all sizes • 3 Dining sets for families of 4 • Infant car seat • Infant car seat cover
Volunteer Coor./ Community Ed. • Lawn mower • Weed whacker • Crafting supplies (i.e. hot glue guns, ribbon, glitter, twine) • New or used tools • Event tent canopy • DSLR camera with video capability • Copy machine • Supplies to fix bikes (tubes, tires, brake cables)
Outreach Services • Donated firewood • Paper towels/bathroom tissue • Safeway gas cards ($10) for clients to use for medical purposes • Labor to help collect free firewood from the forest • Labor to help split firewood for emergency heat • Walmart/Safeway emergency food cards; Provision cards
Shelter • • • • • • • • • • •
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New men’s underwear/socks New women’s underwear/socks Hygiene kits oShampoo/conditioner oTowels/soap oToothpaste/toothbrush oRazors/shave cream oDeodorant/lotion Feminine products Diapers (sizes 4, 5, 6) Basketball Flag case New US Flag for flagpole Men’s Work Gloves Cooking oil Coffee
Goodness is about character
Integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like.
But more than anything else,
It is about how we treat other people.
-Dennis Prager
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Want to Volunteer? There are many volunteer opportunities at La Puente for individuals or groups looking to give back! Much of what La Puente does would not be possible without the support, love, and commitment of our volunteers.
Service opportunities include: Community Volunteer We utilize volunteers of all ages and abilities for one-time, weekly, or monthly intervals at many of our programs. Create hygiene kits for the Shelter Lead Life Skill classes for Adelante Work at the front desk at Outreach Read to or lead a craft for the PALS kids
Work Group Service
Work groups come from all over the country to help La Puente complete projects and effectively serve our clients. Chop wood for Outreach Services Prepare meals at the Shelter Glean produce for the Food Bank Be a PALS Big Buddy for the day
Full-Time Volunteer During a year of service, Full-Time Volunteers and AmeriCorps Members obtain firsthand experience serving at one of our programs.
To learn more about volunteering, contact our Office of Volunteer Coordination at 719.587.3499 or click on “Get Involved” at www.lapuente.net
La Puente Legacy Fund
The Legacy Fund is an endowment account, managed separately from other donations, that holds and invests its principle value and contributes only the earnings for the needs of La Puente’s work with the hungry and homeless. Legacy investment proceeds will help La Puente serve our community each year into future generations. Please consider giving to the Legacy Fund on behalf of yourself or a loved one. A gift card acknowledgement will be sent to the family you are honoring with your remembrance gift. For Colorado taxpayers, gifts of $100 or more are also eligible for the 25% Enterprise Zone tax credit. To learn more contact Gena Akers at 719.588.5678 or email gena.lapuente@gmail.com
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We Need Your Support!
Financial support is crucial for our efforts to address homelessness and hunger throughout the Valley. La Puente depends on individuals, churches, and businesses for much of our support. We are proud that 85% of our funding is non-governmental and 93% of every dollar goes to direct services! (2013 990). Please consider any size financial gift to help us in service to our community.
Let Generosity Reduce Your Taxes
All donations are tax deductable. In addition, cash donations of $100 or more are eligible for one of two Colorado tax credits: 1) The 25% “Enterprise Zone” (EZ) tax credit that supports all our programs. 2) The 50% “Colorado Childcare Tax Credit” (CCTC) that supports our PALS Children’s Program. Tax credits are direct payments towards the taxes you owe, whether or not you use deductions. For example: with a $1,000 donation you can 1) deduct $1000 off both your State and Federal Taxes, and/or 2) Receive a credit worth $250(EZ) or $500(CCTC) towards your Colorado Taxes.
Here’s How: 1. Donate $100 or more 2. Make the donation payable to: “The Enterprise Zone” for a 25% tax credit “PALS Program” for a 50% tax credit 3. Mail us your gift 4. We’ll send you a certificate of tax credit* It can be used like a check payable to Colorado’s Department of Revenue. * Credits are only available to Colorado state tax payers
Consider These Options as You Plan: • • •
Charitable Gift Annuities Charitable Remainder Trusts Memorial and Honorary Gifts
• • •
Bequests Appreciated Stock Beneficiary Designations
Contact Gena Akers at 719.588.5678 or gena.lapuente@gmail.com
Donate a Vehicle!
Every La Puente program relies on vehicle donations. Donate your car or truck and earn a tax deduction for the market value of the vehicle. La Puente will handle the title transfer! To learn more contact Julie at 719.589.5909 or info.lapuente@gmail.com
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Prayer for Compassion Open my heart, expand my spirit, clear my mind, make a wide place for compassion, within me, that it may grow and flourish, as I nurture it, seeing that each of us walks life’s path as best we can, balancing my desires with my needs and others’ needs. Compassion shown, is a bright gift to all around me, blessing everyone, but especially blessing myself, it lifts me above mean spiritedness and petty spite, expands my understanding of others’ challenges, drawing me ever closer to my own divine nature, comforting those in need, with shared humanity. Bless my dealings with others each day, bring my most compassionate self forward, at all times,flowing freely into the world, which is in need of it, may compassion grow within me, today and always, Blessing each day with my humanity.
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P.O. Box 1235 Alamosa, CO 81101 719.589.5909 www.lapuente.net
La Puente
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Alamosa, CO 81101 Permit No. 27