Dose of Hope

February 7, 2024/Volume 2

Dear Tracy,

This isn’t just any year; 2024 marks Saranam’s 20^th anniversary! We have so many momentous steps ahead of us this year, but we feel like the best way to begin our celebration is by revisiting our roots.

Saranam was established in 2004 after our founder, Frances Thaxton Ash, left her estate to Central United Methodist Church with the wish that it be used to help families experiencing homelessness.

The task was entrusted to the Council on Homeless Ministries, who committed to designing a program that honored Frances's lifetime of service to others and the 90 years of love she had poured into the community she called home.

After months of research, they had the mission and structure of the program firmly in hand, but needed a name that would reflect the care and hope that families would find in our program. The idea came from close to home: the United Methodist Hymnal, #523.

“Jesus, Savior, Lord, lo, to thee I fly; Saranam, Saranam, Saranam; Thou the Rock, my refuge that’s higher than I: Saranam, Saranam, Saranam. In thy tent give me a dwelling place, and beneath thy wings may I find sheltering grace; O lift on me the sunshine of thy

face: Saranam, Saranam, Saranam”

Translated from a traditional Pakistani hymn, Saranam means “refuge”. The word encapsulated all they hoped the program would offer to families.

If you think about what families may feel when they experience homelessness, words like “scared, lonely, sad” may come to mind. A refuge is a balm for those feelings.

They also hoped it would capture how families in turn would be transformed by their journey with us. If we consider how families feel when they leave us, it might be a very different set of words that emerge: “determined, resilient, hopeful”. A refuge creates the environment that inspires this strength as well.

20 years later, the many meanings of our name still ring true. Saranam is more than just a home: it’s a launching pad for success, a reliable touchstone and a warm cocoon with family. It’s a refuge.

We’ll be planning special ways to celebrate all year. Stay in touch so you don’t miss anything!

Thank you for supporting 20 years of changing lives!

In the News

Growing Up in New Mexico

A wave of new Kids Count data released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation reveals that well-being for children in New Mexico, though making significant improvements in 2022, still falls well below the national average and nearly all indicators show significant inequity for children of color. The findings include:

Children are growing up in homes with severely restrained economic mobility:

13 percent of children live with parents who do not have a high school diploma
52 percent of children in low-income families have a high housing cost burden

Intervention is needed early in life to interrupt cycles of generational poverty:

85 percent of fourth graders in lower income homes score below proficient reading levels.
The number of opportunity youth (kids who are not in school or employed) is ranked in the top 10 worst in the nation

There are bright spots to cheer for amid these disheartening statistics: the number of children whose parents who lack secure employment reached a 10-year low and child poverty has continued to decrease to historically low levels, thanks to a myriad of interventions over the last decade.

Growing up in New Mexico holds so much opportunity to explore our rich history, culture and innovation. Every bit we invest in children will capitalize on those strengths and create generational wealth.

Roundhouse Round-Up

Legislators are gathering for 2024's short session and the well-being of families is at the top of legislators' priorities.

Here is a brief overview of some of the bills being considered that will impact the lives of families experiencing, or at-risk of, homelessness*:

SB166: Homelessness Reduction Division

This bill would establish an Office of Housing that will create a state-wide strategic plan for reducing homelessness and coordinate efforts among providers to improve outcomes for people seeking assistance.

SB25 Housing Discrimination Based on Income

This bill looks to prohibit the discrimination in housing approvals based on a renter or buyer’s source of income, such as a housing voucher.

SB7: NM Housing Trust Fund; and SB31: MFA Affordable Housing Act Funds

Each bill would appropriate funds to support the creation of affordable housing options.

HB223: Voter ID Requirements

Among other provisions, this bill seeks to reduce or eliminate the cost of getting IDs for low-income citizens and people experiencing homelessness.

HB6: Paid Family and Medical Leave Act

This bill would allow for people to take paid time off of work for family or medical reasons.

*This list is made for informational purposes and does not indicate Saranam's endorsement of any legislation.

Program Highlights

Bake for Family Fun Month

February seems synonymous with love, right? And one of the universal love languages is food. During “Bake for Family Fun” month, we are thinking of the many ways cooking and sharing food says, “love”:

Food is a celebration. Every child at Saranam has the chance to celebrate their birthday. Thanks to the wonderful members of Women with Purpose, every child gets cake mix and frosting, decorations and a book for their birthdays.

Food reflects our culture. In class, families share special recipes and fashion them into cookbooks. Parents even got together for the holidays to make tamales to share.

Food is also a connector. Our families decorated Valentine’s cookies and will meet for a special tea party later this month to learn all about table manners.

Here’s to wishing you a happy, belly-filling “love month”!

Applications Open!

Saranam is accepting applications for our spring cohort! This group will be the first to start their new future at our ADC Family Campus.

If you think you or someone you know is ready to invest in their education, be a part of a supportive community and end homelessness, please share this phenomenal opportunity. Application materials, qualifications and answers to frequently asked questions are all available on our website at saranamabq.org/apply-for-help

We expect homes at our ADC Campus to be ready for move-in mid-April. We will post exact deadlines, including dates for interviews and notification, as soon as possible.

Apply Today!

Community Corner

There is Hope After Homelessness

Did you know that in Albuquerque, nearly 800 people in 2023 had experienced homelessness for more than a year? At Saranam is not uncommon for families to have experienced years of housing instability as well, often precariously balanced between home and crisis. To permanently exit homelessness, families need stability, a plan and hope.

That’s where you can help.

In our latest blog we explore what families need to believe that life after homelessness is possible. Spoiler alert: the magic ingredient is you.

“(Families) realize that in the community where they live there are people who are rooting for them to succeed…Connection is everything.”

Read more in the final post in our blog series “Understanding Homelessness”.