Dose of Hope Jan. 10, 2023/Volume 1

NEW YEAR, NEW STARTS Intentionally building new futures PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS More Community | Growing Green this Spring Community Partnerships  Special thanks to our community partners Holiday Hearts  Thanks to our 2023 Holiday Giving Supporters COMMUNITY CORNER  Opportunities, shout-outs and requests. DONATE  Invest in ending homelessness. NEW YEAR, NEW STARTS Greetings! Happy New Year! Welcome to 2023. One of the best parts of a new year is the feeling of possibility, the chance at a fresh slate. That is just what we offer our families- an opportunity for a new start. Like any big change, it can be overwhelming. So how do families get there? By intentionally setting and achieving goals, one day at a time. You may have heard the phrase "SMART" goals before. These are strategies that make goals more achievable. It stands for: Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely Every adult at Saranam makes these goals and works with staff to prioritize their time and energy to make positive change possible. Just like every person’s story is different, every goal is also unique. As our first year families begin their GED and college programs, many have the mastery of skills or finding their passion on their list. "My goal at Saranam is to find my purpose and fulfill it." For others, the internal work underlines everything they do. “[I want to] find the strength within myself to be independent again. During my time at Saranam I want to maintain a healthy state of mind and remain positive and patient with my family and myself.” Ensuring our families remain intentional and supported in their goals is how we help new beginnings happen. Our annual resolution- our goal- is that through our program, families will realize that there is no dream to big to reach. Living in poverty and homelessness can make it feel like the spectrum of possibilities in life are dim. But through their work at Saranam, they will unlock a brighter future than they ever imagined.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

More Community=More Success We have lots of great things in store for our families in 2023! We are expanding our community activities this spring and now will offer:   Monday Night Life Skills Wednesday Afternoon Library and Homework Help Thursday Family Night   The goal of this time is to give families more chances to connect and learn with the caring people in our community. Because research tells us that there simply isn’t too much connection that a child can have.   In fact, studies show that when kids have a “mentor-like” relationship with an engaged adult in their lives, the pegs start falling into place: they were more likely to engage in school and develop a sense of community identity; they were more motivated to succeed academically; and they were even less likely to experience depression or engage in risky behaviors.   Sound like something you want to be a part of? Join us! "Growing Green" this spring One of the most important "banks of knowledge" families need for success is financial management. This spring, in partnership with Rio Grande Credit Union, we are undertaking a series of financial education classes designed to give our families the know-how to be financially healthy and plan for life’s unexpected expenses.   Just like our goals- the classes will teach families to be intentional about their finances. Whether it is aligning their values to their spending, exploring different savings tools, or understanding the impact of credit, families will be empowered to take charge of their financial future.   The best part? Families will learn these skills together. After attending weekly classes, adults will team up with their kids to do fun activities about setting goals, saving money little by little, and budgeting for the things that are important. Want to get involved? We have opportunities to mentor adults or to help facilitate whole family activities.

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Community Partnerships

We want to thank a couple of special community partners this month: the Nusenda Foundation and the Sandia Foundation. We are so grateful for the support of these grantors and the belief they have in New Mexican families. Their grants will provide what our families need to build a vibrant future- housing, education and community. Thank you for your commitment to end family homelessness and poverty!

HOLIDAY GIVING

Thanks to Holiday Partners The best gift this season was the twinkle in parents' eyes as they beheld the generosity of the businesses, schools, groups and dear supporters who donated holiday gifts for their families. With their support, every child and mother had gifts that made them feel special and cared for. We cannot thank you enough for giving them a holiday to remember. We think the spirit was best captured by one little one who, as she glimpsed the abundance of glittering ribbons and wrapping at our Weil Family Center, threw her hands in the air and shouted, "Wow! Merry Christmas!" Our deepest appreciation to these supporters for making that delight possible!

Community Corner Donations Update Hearts of Gold Get Involved! Jan. Volunteer Training Want to get involved? Head over to our website to check out the latest volunteer opportunities. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Accepting Donations Again When the pandemic hit, we put a temporary hold on accepting donations of household goods. We are excited to announce that we are now able to officially resume accepting these items! Please check our website for a list of items that we are able to take. Please note that our storage is still limited and we do not have the ability to pick up items at this time. Donations can be dropped off at: Location: 1028 Eubank Blvd. NE, Suite F. Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:30am-3pm Hearts of Gold If you want to see the good in the world, look no further than the little hearts of gold growing in our community. The families of Manzano Day School and Double Eagle Elementary each hosted drives for baby goods, toiletries, and more this winter. Even more, each donation also included kind messages from the students to encourage our families. We were absolutely blown away by their thoughtfulness! Thank you so much for your support! Get Involved! Was one of your New Years resolutions to volunteer? Well, here are some ways that you can help this month. Donation Sorting and Storage Setup: While our new warehouse is under construction, we are setting up (temporary) shop to sort and store household donations. Help us set up this space on January 12 from 9:30-11:30. Monthly Supply Sorting Volunteers help us organize the supplies and pack up them up for families. Join us Jan. 25 or Feb. 22 from 9:30-11:30! Sign Up Today!

Jan. Volunteer training We are holding our first volunteer training of 2023 on Saturday, January 14 from 9:00am-12:30pm. If you would like to get involved in our family activities, sign up today! Reserve Your Spot

Follow us on social media so you don't miss a thing. ‌ ‌ ICYMI In case you missed it, here's what happened this month... Big thanks to Humble Coffee Company for donating a portion of the proceeds at their Holiday Market to Saranam! Assistance League and United Women in Faith deliver delicious goodies to Saranam staff and families

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505-299-6154 |saranamabq.org