Not at your table, but always at your side

November 24, 2020

Dear ,

What a different Thanksgiving this year will be. No doubt we are all missing the opportunity to gather with our families and friends.

Yet despite the loss of this special day, we still feel their support, perhaps even closer in their physical absence. Those relationships are highest on the list of things we are thankful for this year.

The security these support systems offer is something our families bring to mind often these days. It's not hard to see why. The overwhelming majority describe their experience with homelessness as scary, hopeless, and achingly lonely.

That is why a large part of our program is helping families build a support network. These connections create what is known as social capital, and the trust, understanding and belonging that come with it are a vital part of keeping families stable after they exit.

"I know now how important it is to have a tribe of people who care about me and what we're doing. They are interested in investing in my life and me in theirs."

For our families, knitting a social support network starts right in the core of the family unit. Through parenting classes and community activities, families learn to reestablish trust and build stronger bonds.

Marcy's kids entered Saranam fearful of leaving her and hesitant to start friendships. After a few short months though, they happily romp in the courtyard with other kids and go to school without worry, knowing mom and their home will be waiting for them when they get back.

Read more of Marcy's story

Mothers like Crystal also find that their stability helps them create healthier relationships with extended family and heal years of abuse, addiction, or distrust.

"I am back in touch with my mom...every time I see her she tells me, 'I can't believe how far you've come. I'm so proud of you for doing what you're doing and not giving up.' Saranam has changed everything."

The spokes of their social support network go on and on...

Peers in the program or support groups become like family,
Staff and volunteers become mentors,
They move into secure homes where they gain trusted neighbors,
New, skilled jobs enable them to meet like-minded coworkers who become friends,
Through volunteering and success in their career, they begin to feel like valued members of the community.

The net expands as families grow. And when a crisis hits, or we are forced to be apart, it remains strong. Just as we will.

"I can't remember any other time in my life that I could look at my phone in any sort of crisis and think which one should I call? I never had anyone to call before. I don't stress about everything anymore because I know if I can't handle something on my own then I have backup and they know they have me too. Something like that is truly priceless."

We wish you a peaceful, healthy Thanksgiving with family, friends and community- maybe not at your table- but always by your side.

A Season of Giving and Thanks

We are thrilled to be celebrating the 2nd year of our 3-year partnership with the Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors.

Gobble 'til We Wobble

Our Thanksgiving plans might look a lot different this year but the generosity of our community is unchanged.

On behalf of our families, we extend our deepest gratitude to the community groups who donated food to make the holiday special.

Albuquerque Rotary Del Norte Club

We appreciate the baskets the Albuquerque Rotary gave to all of our current families. They were filled to the brim with all the trimmings needed to make it a meal to remember.

St. Johns United Methodist Church

Special thanks to Chef Tim and all at St. John's for baking delicious pies that will be the perfect end to a great meal.

YMCA

We're so grateful for the gigantic boxes of food the YMCA made available for 10 of our alumni. They will make for a great meal and leftovers for days!

Thank you for giving them the ingredients to make this a holiday a special one!

Building Community

We are so grateful to our community partners. Their thoughtful approach to building community helps us make home a reality for every family.

Thank you to the grantors who have generously supported our program this month.

FHL Foundation

Their investment in our program will help ensure families have the tools they need not only to survive this crisis, but to put an end to their experience with homelessness and poverty forever.

Give A Spark of Hope

After all the hustle and bustle of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday comes the perfect respite from the holiday frenzy---Giving Tuesday.

This year, we invite you to give the most meaningful present of all to a family experiencing homelessness: a spark of hope. Each gift represents your belief in the potential of a family and will go towards helping them to build a stronger, more secure future.

And every dollar you give will be matched- up to $7,500!

Does your employer offer matching gifts? Check out Double the Donation to find out. It could mean your gift could have TRIPLE the impact this year. That's a lot of sparks to give!

Contact Dianne Campbell at:
saranam.dianne@gmail.com or (505) 934-9110

Community Corner


A Little Love Goes a Long Way Our alumni's heartfelt responses to their awards from Women United showed what an impact a little bit of encouragement can make. ________________________ "I think the part that touched me the most is when you said my life is not better by chance, it is becoming better with change. I often forget to give myself credit for all of the positive changes that have happened in my life and I tend to minimize it saying I am just lucky. It felt really good to allow myself a moment to celebrate my achievements and be proud of the woman I am today." "Just knowing there are people out there who continue to care about my well-being and success means the world to me." _______________________ Thank you again for shining light on their hard work!	Warm Hearts, Warm Hands When we got our October cold snap, you snapped into action! Thank you to all who have donated winter essentials to families. Because of you we are able to ensure entire families have quality items that will last them several season. "Thank you so much for the coat . It feels like a Christmas gift. The last time I owned one like that was 20 years ago. It's beautiful!" We still have items on our wish lists that we need if you are able to gift our families with winter gear, holiday decorations or household items. Check them out here!	Lights of Enchantment Here's a holiday plan you can count on! Join us on December 30 for the annual Lights of Enchantment at Sandia Speedway. With over a mile of holiday light displays, there's sure to be enough to delight anyone in your car. Saranam will receive $5 for every car that visits- up to $5,000! Use this code and receive 40% off your ticket. SARANAM40 Note: the code is good for any day, but Saranam will only receive a donation for cars visiting on December 30.