A Dream Blooms

A FOREVER FRIEND

Saranam remembers a treasured volunteer

Work That Matters

Celebrating an elevated success rate and the work that went into it.

Special Announcements

Spring campaign half-way there.

Position available.

COMMUNITY CORNER

Opportunities and requests

DONATE

Invest in ending homelessness.

A Dream Blooms

Saranam moms graduate with big dreams ahead

Dear friend,

They DID IT!

We are bringing out all of our balloons and streamers to celebrate the two moms who GRADUATED this month!

All grads deserve a cheer but this warrants extra huge applause. They didn't just balance, they juggled- virtual school, childcare, home duties, shifting schedules, a cup of coffee- and they made it through.

Katie, now a Saranam alumni, graduated from CNM with associate degrees in sociology and criminology. She's not done yet! She is continuing at UNM in the fall, where she will pursue a bachelor's degree in sociology with a minor in Native American Studies.

"I owe this accomplishment to so many people, but especially to Saranam!!! I’ve come so far ever since my family was accepted to the program...I’m so proud of my accomplishments and I’m looking forward to this next journey! I can do it! Saranam taught me that!"

Sheila, who just completed her first year at Saranam, graduated with her Dental Hygiene degree from PIMA and passed her national board certification! Though the year posed some serious challenges for getting clinical hours, she found a way to make it happen! She is looking forward to completing a bachelor's degree in public health after this, so she can open up even more options for the future and forge a path all her own.

It was just a short time ago that the seeds of these dreams were planted and now they have bloomed. These mothers can now support their kids, plan for their biggest dreams, and permanently end homelessness and poverty for their family.

Please join us as we cry proud tears and congratulate these amazing women on their accomplishment!

A Forever Friend

Saranam remembers a treasured volunteer and friend

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." -Maya Angelou

We will never forget how our dear friend, Jeannie Jurgensen, made us feel. It was a palpable warmth, shining straight from the smile that was always dancing across on her mouth. Her impact belied her small stature; her love and support carried many, many Saranam families through the program and inspired them to give back as she did.

Jeannie spent many years volunteering at Saranam as a monthly shopper, a tutor, and a helper with our children and family programming. Her heart was always ready to give, to listen, to help. No matter the role she was in, she made the people around her feel special.

"She took a genuine interest in everyone of the people she worked with at Saranam and gave her full, undivided attention – full eye contact, a gentle smile, forward posture. You always knew she cared." -Saranam staff member

We will miss Jeannie dearly but are so thankful for the time she graced us with. We know the ripple of her kindness will continue to brighten the lives of those she touched forever.

Work That Matters

Every corner we turned this year was met with a new set of challenges but despite this, our families did better than ever! We already had a phenomenal success rate- averaging 77 percent- but in 2020, fully 86 percent of our exiting cohort successfully completed the program and moved into safe, secure living situations on their own income!

It could have been a year that spelled disaster, but it wasn't. Each family dug deep, held each other up, and continued to work at full speed.

We can use this success to help others! We are excited to continue many of the changes we undertook to help families manage the amplified struggles of the pandemic to open new opportunities for community and academic life for families in the future.

Mental health is at the center of all we do. Every family who walks through our doors has experienced some type of trauma and we dedicate a huge portion of their two years with us to helping them heal, grow and gain confidence.

To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month this May, we took a look into how -and why- we weave mental health knowledge and strategies into every aspect of our program in our latest blog.

“This kind of work is waaay harder than passing a class. And acknowledging and celebrating those (victories) is extra important because no one gets a certificate for good work in therapy!”

-Saranam Director of Family Services

Special Announcements

We are half-way there! Our Building Foundations for Life campaign is off to an amazing start. We've paved a path home for FIVE families but we need you to get the rest of the way there.

Help us unlock the matching gifts we have for two new families! Right now we have donors who have promised $60,000 (the cost to bring in two new families!) if we can match their donation. Whatever you give today will be doubled- up to $60,000.

Can you believe it?! Matching these gifts would put us just one family away from our goal. That's 10 families brought home. 10 futures changed. 10 cycles of poverty broken forever.

Wonder if your gift will make a difference? Head over to our website to read the stories of lives changed and donate today.

Donate Today

We are hiring! We are looking for a part-time Family and Community Coordinator to join our dynamic team. The person in this position works directly with families and volunteers and is pivotal in making our commitment to 2-generational success come to life.

Visit our website to learn more and apply. Applications close on June 4th.

Please share the good news and pass along to anyone you know who would be interested!

Learn More

Digital Warriors

One of the reasons our families were SO successful this year is because we were able to get them what they needed to adapt to an increasingly digital world.

We need your help our next group start their year off right. If you can, please check out our Amazon wish list to see how you can help families.

Applications Open Soon!

This is it! Applications open June 1st!

We have already had unprecedented interest from our community partners and we know the need is so great this year.

Please share far and wide! As a deeply personal organization, the best way we spread the word is through people.

Visit our website for more information on application requirements, materials to share, and email Jennifer Mullen with any questions you have.

Summer Volunteer Opportunities

Do you have a hidden talent for decorating? Love putting together furniture (or can do it without throwing a screwdriver across the room)? Want to help create a warm home for a family in need?

We have lots of opportunities available to help prepare apartments this summer. It is always a bucket-filling, rewarding experience. For more information, or to reserve your spot, please email Jennifer Clear by June 14th.

Forward to friends and colleagues you think might be interested too!

ICYMI

In case you missed it, here's what happened this month...

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