Albuquerque Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
1600 5th St., NW (PO Box 25462) , Albuquerque, NM 87125-5462
SANCTUARY - painted by Emma while in Sanctuary 2017-2018
AMM IS A SANCTUARY CHURCH
THANK YOU for your interest in supporting our work to provide Sanctuary in Albuquerque.
Sanctuary Working Group Co-Clerks:
Sara Keeney (505) 379-3392 and Sarah Malone (505) 306-8771
Information on Immigrant Resources is available at:
https://www.cabq.gov/office-of-equity-inclusion/immigrant-refugee-affairs/know-your-rights
There are several ways to help.
- Asylum Seekers Need for Support
- Support for asylum seekers in or passing through Albuquerque is
provided by a group of faith communities. Ruben García, Director of Annunciation House in El Paso, coordinates busses arriving from El Paso. Some faith communities are able to provide temporary shelter. Other volunteer opportunities include translators, medical and food teams, housing and financial assistance. Several members of the Albuquerque Meeting continue to be involved in preparing food travel bags,
collecting, sorting and folding clothing and shoes. The need varies on the size and number of people arriving. - As of July, 2022 Albuquerque is hosting one bus per week. Asylum seekers are usually on their way to a sponsor family somewhere around the country within a few days. The Supreme Court recently ruled against continuing border restrictions under Remain in Mexico policy, established by the previous administration. That will likely result in a considerable increase in asylum seekers, and a need for more volunteers.
Contact person: Sara Keeney at info@abqquaker.com
- As a Sanctuary Church AMM stands ready to provide Sanctuary at any time the need should arise, which would result in an immediate call for accompaniment volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about how to support Sanctuary accompaniment, please contact the New Mexico Faith Coalition for Immigrant Justice. nmfcorganizer@gmail.com
- Make a donation to the ABQ Faithworks Collaborative
(https://www.abqfaithworks.org/) and write "asylum seeker" on
your donation. The Collaborative will use your gift to help people
seeking asylum and/or Sanctuary. Your donation will be tax-
deductible.
- AMM continues to support our Sanctuary Friend, Emma, in her immigration journey. Photos of the paintings she created while living in Sanctuary are available as greeting cards through Sanctuary Works, a small business that both sells cards and receives donations in Emma's support. To purchase cards or for more information visit: Sanctuary Works
- If you wish to contribute in another way, please call one of our Sanctuary Co-Clerks, Sara or Sarah. AMM is not in a position to accept gifts of goods or money at our Meeting House.
Minutes on Immigration
The Albuquerque Monthly Meeting (AMM) has deliberated on matters related to immigration and sanctuary several times over the years. Scroll down to access pdf files with Minutes or Statements generated from or related to these deliberations including:
* International Sanctuary Principles Statement
* Minute on Immigration IMYM 2018
* Minute on Immigration AMM 2017
* Minute on Immigration AMM November 2014
* Minute on Immigration AMM November 2014
AMM OUTREACH TO OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS
Goal Statement for Support of Unhoused Neighbors - June 2020
The Sanctuary Task Force of Albuquerque Friends Meeting envisions a community in which housing instability is rare--or brief and non-recurring--ending homelessness as we know it. We aim to engage with unsheltered neighbors from a framework of solidarity and mutuality—rather than a charity-based model--through which we may build a greater sense of relationship and shared community.
In keeping with Friends' Testimonies on Community and Equality, and recognizing AMM’s long-standing collaboration with (formerly) St Martin’s Hospitality Center (now Hopeworks), on their meal program, we support individuals and families experiencing homelessness in gaining access to life-sustaining resources within our local neighborhood and beyond. We progress toward this goal by providing access to safe, potable drinking water and to a resting place during daytime hours.
Additionally, according to our capacity, we will offer referrals to and/or support for liaison with groups serving unhoused people, as well as advocacy with government and other agencies to provide a wide-range of services.
Harm Reduction Actions to Support Our Unhoused Neighbors
* In collaboration with the Building & Grounds Committee we provide water access at the outdoor spigot (we installed a French drain to improve sanitation);
* Regular access to electric outlet on front porch to charge devices;
* Security for the enclosed garden;
* Daily monitoring team to provide snacks/supplies to unhoused neighbors and remind them of request that no one stay on the grounds overnight.
* Training for monitors in sharps collection techniques/sharps containers
* Narcan training and access on site
* Security System for roof
* Alternative to calling 911 plan
* Request to APD to stop using the AMM parking lot
* Interface with other community organizations and the City of Albuquerque
GO FUND ME LAUNCHED
Long Winter's Night Campaign
AMM has provided outreach to our unhoused neighbors since March 2020 including water & electricity access, snacks, provision of necessities such as sleeping bags, blankets, tents, & donated clothing and a place to rest.
The Sanctuary Task Force & Building & Grounds expanded their outreach in the winter (2021-22) to include a fund raising effort to provide additional resources and emergency shelter during extreme weather events. To that end, the Long Winter's Night Go Fund Me campaign was launched & resulted in distribution of numerous tents, sleeping bags, and two extended hotel stays, both of which ultimately resulted in permanent, supportive housing.
Stone Age Climbing Gym Joins Campaign!
The Stone Age Climbing Gym joined AMM's Long Winter's Night Campaign to gather in-kind items (sleeping bags, tents, warm clothing) for our unhoused neighbors, as well as cash donations to our Go Fund Me event to provide funds for emergency lodging during extreme weather events this winter. AMM shared surplus with other grass roots organizations in the City, including the Hook-Up.
Accomplishments!
Already the Long Winter's Night Campaign has afforded us to give emergency overnight lodging to two of our regular visitors, and to purchase & distribute about 50 tents, 30 sleeping bags, and to collect and distribute in-kind donations from two more community groups. AMM continues to receive about two large donations per month from Talking Talons Thrift Store in Cedar Crest, including much needed clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, and some tents. A huge thank you to Talking Talons for its ongoing support. Extra supplies are distributed regularly to: Good Shepherd Shelter, The Rock at Noonday; Hopeworks; The Hook-Up, and, of course, Albuquerque Friends Meeting!