A Dose of Hope | December 2025

Greetings!

It has been another year of wonderful happenings at Saranam! Our mission continues to guide and help us grow.

Housing

We welcomed over 40 new families this year! A cohort of 10 families moved in August and another 10 right before Thanksgiving. Our beautifully decorated and fully furnished homes, prepared by our community of volunteers, give families a refuge on their life's journeys. The safe homes give them time to learn life skills, gain more education, and make plans for the future. Thank you to the greater community for all the donations throughout the year for these homes. We can't wait to invite you to our new Donation Center in the new year!

"Saranam gave me three gifts.

1. The gift to choose myself.

2. The gift of surrender.

3. The gift of community."

~ Alum Mom

Education

Education is key! This year, Saranam's parents worked hard to complete hundreds of hours of life skill classes, college classes, and certificate programs. Some achievements were:

1 associate degree, 2 GEDs, 3 certificates earned by our parents. And a few more almost complete!
A teenager graduated high school
A parent passed the national nursing licensure exam (NCLEX)
Among many others!

Community

When new families moved in, they felt a sense of family and community from week ONE. You will see some quotes in our end of year video (below) about what it feels like to be at Saranam. In September, over 30 families attended the alumni reunion! Families gathered for fun, food, and to connect. Our community of volunteers are, as of November, 1,388 strong and have logged 7,131 hours! We are thankful for many people in our community who help guide, teach, and support our families.

Thank you for your support in 2025. We wish you a season of warmth and community!

>> Watch this video about our year of growth.

View Newly Decorated Homes!

The decorator teams and volunteers worked their wonders to prepare 10 homes for the latest cohort at Saranam's ADC Family Campus. The homes are set up, shelves stocked, and there are special touches throughout for the entire family.

Check out the online book, Home Highlights, to see photos of the beautifully decorated rooms in all the homes.

Holiday Corner

Spread Holiday Cheer

Help make the holidays merry and bright for our families! We have a couple of special ways to share a bit of holiday magic this year. Click HERE to see our Walmart SparkGood wishlist and discover other ways to support our families this holiday season. Please place online orders by December 12.

Our families tell us that the holidays they spend with us are some of their most cherished memories. Thank you for helping to create such warm, treasured moments for them!

Contact Sunny Holmes, sholmes@saranamabq.org, with questions.

Click here to spread holiday cheer

A Vending Machine with a TWIST

This holiday season, Saranam is participating in the Light the World Giving Machine initiative, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Light the World.

This unique vending machine allows people to donate funds towards preselected tangible items to help those in need. We have five items that will be in the machine to help Saranam families. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the nonprofit. The machine will be available for visitors at Cottonwood Mall near Dillard's on the lower level December 12 - January 1.

Click HERE to see all the special events scheduled at the machine to add to your experience.

With Gratitude

We would like to thank Bank of Albuquerque for awarding Saranam a $5,000 grant. They recently awarded us this grant at their ribbon-cutting event at the newly remodeled banking center at the Cottonwood Grand opening. Thank you for helping our mission and being new neighbors on the west side of Albuquerque!

Saranam Out & About

Humble Holiday Market, Dec. 20

We’re very excited to join Humble Coffee for their Holiday Market. You’re sure to find truly unique holiday gifts from the local shops featured at this fun event.

Gates open at 10 AM on December 20. The entrance fee is $5 and Humble will donate a portion of the proceeds to Saranam! Stop by our table to say "hi" or to learn more!

Sip & Support for Saranam

We are excited about a new partnership with Sunward Federal Credit Union and Tractor Brewing Company. They recently collaborated to make a new brew, with a lavender and lemon flavor, named Sol Cider. When you purchase a pint now through January 22, $2 of the sale will support Saranam. Watch KRQE's coverage about this collaboration!

Target Circle™ voting until December 31!

🎯 Are you a Target Circle™ member? There's still time to vote for Saranam on Target's Circle list of nonprofits. Hurry and vote before 12/31 so we can serve our community better.

Link HERE to login or start an account. There is no limit to the number of times you can vote. Please keep voting for Saranam through the end of this year!

Community Corner

Fresh Paint, New Look at FTA Campus

Saranam was chosen this year by Mike's Quality Painting for their “Paint it Forward” grant. One morning, with support from Sherwin Williams Paint, more than 50 Mike’s Quality Paint employees and their families repainted the exterior our FTA Campus apartments. Thank you for the fresh paint and updated look at both courtyards!

A Good Night's Rest for the

Whole Family

We'd like to thank American Home Furniture and Mattress for the new mattresses for both cohorts this year, in August and November. These queen, twins, and full mattresses will help our families rest well in their new homes. Sleep is crucial in children's development and adult's health. Thank you for your support over the years and value!

Above: Volunteer group and dino mash potato meal at Family Night.

Thankful for these Helping Hands

We are thankful for all the helping hands that shared their time and energy with us recently! Volunteers help weekly, monthly, and with special projects at our campuses.

Thank you to all these groups:

The Rotary Club of Albuquerque del Norte
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Sandia Preparatory School
Bosque School
Heights First Church of the Nazarene
El Dorado High School National Honors Society
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , El Dorado Ward
Albuquerque Academy
Refuge Church

The first step to volunteering with Saranam is to apply!

Apply now >>

Also, sign up to receive the monthly volunteer newsletter. This newsletter lists the opportunities, details, and links to sign up!

Holiday Hours at Saranam

Our offices will be closed from December 24 through January 2 to allow our staff a chance to spend time with their families for the holiday season. Our offices will reopen Monday, January 5. We look forward to seeing you in 2026!

Follow us on social media to connect!

Facebook: Saranam,LLC

Instagram: Saranam_abq

505-299-6154 | saranamabq.org