RSS FeedGRANTS - It all started during a Sunday morning mass in San Rafael over one year ago … “Father [Alberto] Avella communicated a burden that he was feeling for the homeless,” said Susie Gallegos, the wife of Cibola County Commissioner Antonio Gallegos.
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On any given night in North America, anywhere from 700,000 to 2 million people are homeless, according to an estimated figure of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. With Grants and Milan located in the American vein of Interstate 40, the municipalities see their share of homeless people trickling into their communities.
“It's a burden that I immediately felt as Father Avella spoke that morning… how can they (the homeless) survive the cold?
“I understand there are links to homelessness such as alcohol and drug addiction, however, that is no excuse to not help those that make the effort to help themselves,” Gallegos said. “I sat there and thought, I could do it, I can make a difference.”
Gallegos met with Father Avella following the mass and spoke to her husband at home later that same day. “He told me that he would help and support me 100 percent,” she recalled.
Gallegos immediately started making calls to police chiefs, judges and local officials and organized a meeting. “I invited 20 people and really didn't expect everyone to attend,” she said. “Next thing you know Tony was having to pull out more chairs because people kept on coming in.”
The first meeting was held in Oct. 7. Also invited were homeless type service groups such as the Pastor Garland Moore from the Outreach Center and Hope Olivas from St. Vincent DePaul.
“Our goal is to create one point of contact for assistance,” said Gallegos. “Everyone gets hit up for help, the churches, Grants, the Village and St. Vincent DePaul. How do we know they are not double dipping, taking advantage and leaving town.”
The Detention Center, considering it is open 24 hours a day seven days a week, at this point is being considered as that number one point. “They will have vouchers and all the contact for assistance,” Gallegos said, “and everyone can simply direct anyone needing help to the center. Frank Salcido, Director of the Detention Center has been very cooperative and is willing to be the first point of contact.”
Salcido has been attending the meetings to battle homelessness in Grants.
What about funding?
Any effort needs funds in order to assist long term - the group has ideas for that also. “We've discussed the possibility of churches occasionally taking up a second offering in order to help the effort,” said Gallegos. “The local ministerial alliance is involved. We will also apply for grants and may request help from the city, village and county.
The goal is nobody goes hungry or cold,” she added. “And everyone can contribute and there will be a plan with one starting point that way there is no overlapping to satisfy the need.”
What about panhandling and nuisance in the parks?
The group is also discussing local important issues such as panhandling and nuisance in the parks.
“The local chiefs are involved and there is someone drunk if in the public parks, call the police and they are supposed to take them under protective custody. We thought we'd clean up the town a little also,” she said. “We are working with the judges to offer counseling.” Gallegos noted that the Cibola County Detention Center would soon have a full time counselor available. She added that local government ordinances are being reviewed in order to have the capability to give verbal or written citations for those in violations of public nuisance and panhandling.
“People can trust this group,” said Gallegos. “The money donated will be accounted for.”
The next meeting is Dec. 9 at the Cibola County Complex. “Once the plan is final the group will host a public meeting,” said Gallegos. The plan is expected to be complete by February 2010.
“And Father Avella is very happy,” she said. “He has attended all the meetings and is glad something is being done.”
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