Caring for Community

It’s that time of year. The days are getting shorter, the nights longer. Although the crisp air and falling temperatures may be welcomed by many of us, the change in season presents a difficult road ahead for unhoused people in our community. In an effort to help folks experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque, RGC Access initiated a fundraiser to provide support for Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless.

Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless (AHCH) is a non-profit organization that serves unhoused Burquenos by providing healthcare, street medicine and outreach, as well as community programming. The effort to support HCH was truly a community supported effort from Albuquerque’s Deaf community. RGC Access Board Member, Carla Weeaks, spearheaded the joint collaboration between RGCA, Zia Deafblind Club, and Albuquerque’s Deaf Senior Citizens group. Monetary donations for the fundraiser were collected at both the Zia Deafblind and Deaf Seniors meeting along with the RGCA’s fall social gathering. After donations were raised, the group made contact with Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless (AHCH) to determine how we could best support their efforts. 

Non-profit organizations deploy crucial frontline efforts to their constituents often through limited funding by way of grants, volunteerism, and in-kind donations. Donating “items of critical need” is one of the helpful ways to alleviate some of the challenges that come with homelessness, as well as provide folks the means to conduct essential activities of daily living. With raised funds in hand, RGC Access staff, Becki DeSantis, Board Member Carla Weeaks, and Zia Deafblind Treasurer, Deb Lieberman, organized a day to meet and purchase several of the items on HCH’s critical need list including hats, gloves, personal hygiene products, toiletries, and art supplies. Purchased goods were then delivered by Carla and Deb to Healthcare for the Homeless and will later be disseminated to folks in need. 

RGC Access is grateful for the work to make this effort a success. Moreso, we cherish the willingness of individuals and local organizations in our area to work together to create change for our broader Deaf and New Mexican communities, and we look forward to future collaboration.