Our Mission and Vision

Interfaith Coalition on Homelessness New Mexico is dedicated to uniting diverse faith communities to provide compassionate support and advocacy for individuals experiencing homelessness in Española.

Discover how our organization collaborates with local partners to deliver essential social services, raise awareness, and promote lasting solutions to homelessness in New Mexico. Join us in fostering hope, dignity, and community empowerment through faith-driven action.

Our History

For 5 years, this group has provided needed goods and financial support to the Española Pathways Shelter each winter. Initially, this coalition included the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, the United Church of Los Alamos, the White Rock Presbyterian Church, and the Los Alamos Jewish Center.


The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Los Alamos, Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church, and the United Methodist Church of Los Alamos joined the coalition, and we now consist of 10 Los Alamos and 3 Española congregations. Click here for a full list.

20 Month Progress Report

Goals:

  • Reduce homelessness and its underlying causes in Española Valley.
  • Work with existing very impactful frontline organizations in the Valley.
  • Be humble and interested in continuous learning about the complex issues involved.
  • Build a strong interfaith organization focused on our shared core spiritual values.
  • Build bridges between Los Alamos County and Española Valley, which may have long-term benefits we can't foresee.

 

 

Accomplishments to date:

  • Growing from 3 congregations to 14 – Protestant, Jewish, Unitarian, and Latter-Day Saints.
  • In 2024, interviewing over 30 people in about 15 frontline organizations, most in Española Valley.
  • Organizing ourselves into a Steering Committee, and 3 Action Teams.
  • Raising almost $19,000 for Española Pathways Shelter in late 2024.
  • In 2025, raising over $9500 for free cell phones (along with renewable 30-day service) to go to 30 patients treated for addiction disorders at 3 clinics.
  • Establishing fiscal sponsor relationships with United Way of Northern NM and the Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation.
  • Creating a website for our organization, icohnm.org
  • Providing meals, shelving, microwaves, etc. at the Española Pathways Shelter, and doing handyman projects there.
  • Providing used and new clothes monthly for unhoused people via 3 frontline Valley organizations.
  • Enacting a 10-part “Save the Shelter” campaign, to help the Pathways Shelter stay open (2025).
  • Collecting and delivering 114 boxes for those groups during the ‘25/’26 Winter Collection Drive.
  • Working w/ the Unitarian Church to create a tax-deductible homelessness fund that can help us.
  • Frequent advertising of our projects in local outlets.
  • Encouraging more congregations and good-hearted individuals to join this impactful movement.

 

 

Long-term projects underway:

  • Working to develop of a free, dedicated, reliable, non-emergency healthcare transport system in Española, running 7 days/wk.
  • Supporting several programs at the new Family Resources Center at McCurdy, including three projects to help high-risk families with children.
  • Developing an easy online means for people to safely volunteer at a variety of frontline organizations in Espanola.
  • Creating and rolling out a very engaging education program for Los Alamos County residents, explaining the complexities of addressing homelessness, and its many causes and effects.
  • Along with three Española clinics that treat addiction disorders, working on cell phones-to-patients projects - and more.
  • Building relationships with funders, who may be essential to our work over the next 1 to 2 years.