Dose of Hope
Nov. 28, 2022/Volume 10
WORKS OF THANKS

Our year's successes
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Meet Danette | Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
"THANKS" giving

Special thanks to special groups
GIVING HOPE A HOME

Giving Tuesday | Special Requests
COMMUNITY CORNER

Opportunities, shout-outs and requests.
WORKS OF THANKS
Greetings!

Gratitude is...a shared word, a feeling, and at it's best- an act.
 
Every day, we strive to take our gratitude for your support beyond words and turn it into works of thanks.

As we reflect on all we have to be grateful for, we are proud of how our thanks has come to life this year.
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We welcomed 11 new families.
  • These parents are undertaking 250 hours of education this fall, their kids are in quality care, and they are primed for a new start.

“Your choice has power. Until now, I haven’t been able to make a good choice for myself. This is it.”-2022 family
 
Alumni built their assets.
  • We had 19 alumni saving toward their goals as part of our partnership with Rio Grande Credit Union and Prosperity Works.
  • 4 of these were 2Gen alumni, who were at Saranam as kids.
  • 2 couples plan to use their $10,000 in combined savings to purchase houses.
 
We gave back.
  • Both current families and our staff volunteered at Roadrunner Food Bank this year.
  • 68% of alumni are still involved in their community, undertaking volunteering and engaging in their church
 
Our families met their goals. They have taken all we can give them and are turning it into big actions.
  • Parents graduated with their GEDs, associate degrees, and even a master's degree.
  • 81% of our alumni are working full or part-time, with an average salary of $35,610.

“I’m stronger, better and more confident... In school I was always in special ed and then got sent to an alternative school. It was really, really hard and I had no support. I failed. I was scared I’d fail here. But I got lots of support and I did well. I felt smart. On my first math test at CNM I got an A+!! I was so proud of myself!”- 2022 exiting mom

We broke ground on our new campus! Next year, we will double our capacity and transform the lives of even more people.
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Because of you, gratitude also means one more thing- inspiration. Your support continues to inspire us, and our families, to do more than we thought possible.

Give today and see what accomplishments can come from your belief. 
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Welcome Danette!

We are over the moon to welcome Danette Martinez into her role as our Family Activity Coordinator!

Danette has over 25 years of experience in education, community building, volunteerism and human services -and she is a Americorps Vista alumni! She will use her treasure trove of knowledge to bring excitement and learning to our family time activities.

“I am excited to start this new adventure in my life with Saranam. I strongly believe in a hand up and not a hand out and I see the program working to make a difference in families' lives with the tools, education and resources provided to each person that the program serves.”

Danette is a proud member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe from her home state of South Dakota. She respects the diverse culture and traditions of the world. When she's not with us, she loves to spend time playing with her children and grandchildren.

Welcome to the Saranam family, Danette!
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

The week before Thanksgiving in November is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. You already know what a salient issue this is in our community, but as we commemorate this month, here are a few more pieces of the puzzle.

The Basics:
The Causes
  • The top reasons families experience homelessness are: lack of affordable housing, domestic violence, poverty, and unemployment.
Education Matters

While these statistics show that homelessness remains a monumental struggle, they also tell us that with strategic investments into our families, we can create generational success.
"THANKS" giving
Our fall was extra special thanks to some spectacular community groups!

A huge shout out to the Mercy Associates of New Mexico, for hosting a FUN Halloween party for our families. They designed exciting and thoughtful activities for every child in our program. The party was a great chance to connect and enjoy a spooky night!

With the help of the Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte and the McLeod Family YMCA our families gobbled 'til they wobbled! These two groups filled baskets to the brim with all the fixings for a delicious Thanksgiving meal. Thanks to their generosity, this was a holiday they will never forget!
GIVING Hope a Home
Giving Tuesday

We love any chance to come together as a community for a good cause. That's why we love Giving Tuesday.

It's a day buzzing with the hope that together, our impact can be amplified. This year, give that hope a home at Saranam.

We invite you to donate tomorrow, November 29, 2022. Your gifts will support education programs for kids and adults, warm homes that shelter and protect, and a chance to connect with a caring community.

There are so many ways to "give" on this special day. Here are some ideas!

  • Give attention and send this newsletter to a friend.
  • Amplify our mission and follow us on social media.
  • Give time and plug in as a volunteer.
  • Join us at one of the special events benefitting Saranam next month- check out the Community Corner below for more!
  • Give support through goods or a donation

However you choose to celebrate, everything you give will go towards giving families a better future.
Special Requests

There are countless ways that you make our work hum every day. Here are some unique ways you can support Saranam this month.

Warehouse Space
Our current space is under construction! While it is out of commission, we could use some extra space to sort donations and store furniture. We are especially in need of space that is available on the weekends.

If you or someone you know has space available that we can put to use, contact Jennifer Clear.
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Santa's Elves
Are those sleighbells we hear? If you want to be one of Santa's elves, consider donating gift cards to our parents this holiday season.

A primary goal of our program is to empower parents to budget and plan for their family's needs. Gift cards give them the chance to practice their skills and be Santa themselves.

To participate, contact Sunny Holmes.

Thank you for your help!



Community Corner

Humble Holiday Market

1 Mattress=A World of Good

Native American Heritage Day
Want to get involved?

Head over to our website to check out the latest volunteer opportunities.
Humble Holiday Market

Join us at Humble Coffee's 8th Annual Holiday Market! This fabulous block party-style event will have great shopping, delicious food and groovy music.

We can't forget the best part! The proceeds of the event will be donated to Saranam and CLNKids.

Join us on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10am-4pm. Tickets are $5 at the door (12 and under are free. Get them in advance here.
1 Mattress= A World of Good

We guarantee sweet dreams when you visit American Home Furniture and Mattress. They are giving back in a BIG way to our community this season.

Now through the end of the year, when you purchase a mattress, you'll not only save $1,000, but American Home will donate a mattress to a local organization- including Saranam!- AND they'll donate $50 to a New Mexico food bank. So much good from just one purchase!

Last year, American Home donated 35 new mattresses to our families. Help us make it happen again this year and shop today!
Native American Heritage Day

Did you know that the day after Thanksgiving is Native American Heritage Day? Celebrated on the 25th of November each year, this holiday is a chance to honor the cultural heritage and incredible contributions of the first people of this nation.

As home to 19 pueblos, New Mexico is rich with opportunities to learn and experience the beautiful traditions of Native American people. Find ideas to explore more here.


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ICYMI
In case you missed it, here's what happened this month...
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505-299-6154 |saranamabq.org