Caring for the Community: Fund Encourages Socorroans to Help Each Other

Caring for the Community: Fund Encourages Socorroans to Help Each Other

Socorro means “help” in Spanish, and the Socorroans Helping EachOther fund created by the generosity of residents Kay and PaulKrehbiel offers just that. Socorro is a community in need: as of 2021,25% of Socorro County’s 16,000 residents were living in poverty, anumber that could continue to grow as a result of the pandemic.

That’s where the Krehbiels come in. Since moving to Socorro in 1966, Kay and Paul have raised their family and played active roles in the community. Kay is a retired teacher and librarian. Paul retired from his career as a physics professor at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech) but continues to research lightning and thunderstorms.

When the pandemic started and businesses began to close, the Krehbiels generously supported several local families and persons in need. With so many people coming to them for help, their son Derek and his wife Darlene suggested that Kay and Paul consider supporting the community in a more structured way.

The Krehbiels met with Elizabeth Beers, Director of Community- Based Programs at SGH, and came up with a solution. Socorroans Helping Each Other Fund (SHEO) supports the hiring, salary and benefits of a part-time community outreach worker who serves under Community-Based Programs at SGH. The three-year position focuses on addressing the disparity of resources across Socorro County by connecting patients and other community members in need with existing community programs and resources, as well as providing direct assistance such as gift cards, food vouchers and other necessities.

“Gaining access to resources is a daunting process, especially if you have limited English or limited education,” Elizabeth says. “Having that person who genuinely cares, helps you navigate the system, and gets you plugged into resources is key. We’re not giving handouts, we’re giving hand ups, with the ultimate goal of moving people to independence so they can access their own resources.”

Presbyterian is currently looking to fill the outreach coordinator position, which will focus on finding and working with individual clients who can benefit from the resources available, including housing approval, medical insurance, financial planning and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Community outreach is also a priority.

“We see many people in need throughout our community,” says Kay. “We’ve been very fortunate and feel like we need to give back. We’ve had good things happen in our lives and we see others who can benefit," Kay says.

SEEKING ADDITIONAL DONORS

SHEO funds will also be leveraged to encourage additional donations and challenge grants. “The whole idea is that the fund will grow as others contribute. It could be a self-supporting program when people see the need, and there will always be people in need,” Kay says.

While the Krehbiels support many charities, their connection to Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation is SGH.

“We think it’s a real benefit for our local hospital to be part of Presbyterian. Their presence here is a great statement of their faith in our community. We find it very heartwarming that Socorro is important to them,” Paul says.

“If you just look at pure data, Socorro is impoverished, but we are very wealthy when it comes to having people like the Krehbiels, who are committed to making a difference in the community. That’s the blessing of Socorro is that people who genuinely care are actively supporting our community.” –Elizabeth Beers, Director of Community-Based Programs, SGH