El Calvario United Methodist Church

Our mission is to serve the POOR, the STRANGER, and the CAPTIVE (Matthew 25). We accomplish this by providing a platform which helps establish a full abundant, life and restore dignity, capacity, resilience and hope to those we come in contact with.

All poverty arises from a complex set of interrelated causes, often tied to failures in politics and governance along with systematic marginalization of minorities, migrants, and—almost universally across cultures—women. So as each family situation is different, making broad solutions likewise difficult. However we believe we can use current research (including our own), to point to an emerging set of scalable, science-based solutions that can break the trap. Moreover, we use the research to develop organization policy which will implement on the ground practical and measurable solutions. Some solutions will be „emergency“ activity to deal with immediate needs, such as food, shelter,clothing, etc. Sustainable solutions will take a more wrap-around approach where our organization will walk alongside our clients in addressing their more long-term sustainability needs.

We are providing basic „emergency“ services such as food, clothing, shelter, transportation, financial assistance, social and medical services from our shelter, the only such permanent facility in Southern New Mexico to help alleviate the immediate needs of our community.

Longer term, we are forming more inclusive sustainable development solutions through our Immigrant Advocacy Center. These solutions are based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. The 17 Goals, all interconnected, and in order to leave no one behind, we feel it is important that we work on the SDGs we directly can influence in our region.

Case workers will provide an inclusive sequenced set of services tailored to culture/context/population giving a one-time boost to break the poverty trap/ “deprivation of basic capabilities” found in our client community. These interventions include livelihood training, transfers of cash and productive assets, and encouragement of savings, all facilitated through in-person coaching. Either through direct services, or through our partners, we will provide free/low cost legal services, education, visiting those in detention, and advocacy support as well.

The role of the coach is key, for these programs to build hope. Each participant is assigned a caseworker or coach tasked with conducting regular individual check-ins, typically at the participant’s home (currently remotely). The coach meets regularly with small groups of participants who live in the same common neighborhood. In the group setting, participants learn from and receive encouragement from one another. These recurring touchpoints remind the participant that change is possible and support will be available along the way. The entire program is notably time-bound, usually running for about two years, during which a person living in dire poverty can be expected to transform his or her life, “graduating” onto the economic ladder—at least to the bottom rung of it—where he or she will enjoy a degree of control and independence, often for the first time in his or her life. Emphasis is on the participants to lead their own progress, with the knowledge that at the end of the two-year period, they will be on their own. If this progress stalls, the caseworker will be there to help.

The organization will conduct research concerning issues affecting our target community and suggest and drive advocacy, education and direct support programs offered by the Center

We supported by a number of our own Church organizations, partner churches and a broad based national donor base. We have a dynamic board structure that has a heart for this work and is actively engaged. Our staff is small but growing and who are committed to the long-term success of our organization and programs. Currently we are operating with approximately 150 regular volunteers. We have successfully accessed a number of grants to both develop and sustain our operations and strategic growth. Many of us are members of our client community ourselves and know the issues personally and also the way to solutions. Our small facility has grown with grown via donation, grants and hard work from all of our volunteers and renovation and construction plans expected to be completed in 2020 will provide the sustainable capacity base to conduct our operations as the only permanent shelter and Immigrant Advocacy Center in Southern New Mexico. We have a strong reputation in the community

Summary of Activities
Shelter
Data January to December 31, 2019
No. individuals 1,770
No. Families 832
No. shelter nights 4,143
Meals served 12,429
Gender
Male 935
Female 835
Age
0-6 years 392
7-12 years 272
13-18 years 247
19-59 years 856
60+ 3
Juarez Ministry
Bridge services. Once the number of families released declined in July 2019, we started supporting those families stranded by the Juarez bridges. On September 17, 2019, we “adopted” the families that were camping by the Paso Del Norte bridge in Juarez (downtown bridge), by providing a home-style meal and hygiene supplies, blankets, coats and other items as needed. ; We also brought a nurse that checked persons and need and started doing activities with the children.
Escuelita- Started as once a week activities and classes and later grew to daily 2/hr classes for immigrant children living by the bridge. 30 children per class on average.
Pan de Vida Shelter- The activities at the bridge stopped on January 7, 2020 when the Mexican authorities removed the families from the streets. We then adopted Pan de Vida Shelter in Anapra, Juarez. This is one of the larges shelters for immigrants in Juarez and hosts, on average between 160 to 200 immigrants.
We did weekly visits to the shelter, bringing bulk food, hygiene and medical supplies. We also started conducting stress and trauma relieving sessions with the adults and activities with the children. Due to COVID 19, we stopped the visits to Juarez but continued supporting with food and supplies and financial contributions. We opened a supermarket card in Juarez and deposit funds regularly, we paid their past due water bills.
All Juarez activities have been funded through individual contributions and donations plus a $1,000 grant from a foundation.
TOTALS
No. meals served at bridge 2,235
Children served- Escuelita
Food supplies- no. people at Juarez shelter 2,090

IMMIGRANT RELIEF FUND/Emergency COVID support. The purpose is to help families that were financially affected by COVID, lost their jobs and don’t have access to unemployment and/or government benefits.
Process: promoted program among organizations, churches local groups and businesses. Once receive referrals are received we conduct an intake, present the case to a committee for a recommendation and disburse funds.
Funds raised: Family assisted 100
Total $ Disbursed $18,926
Housing (rent/mortgage) $14,063
Utility Bills $2,160
Food Cards $2,072
Other (medical, etc.) $631

• No. Families Assisted 65
• Total $ Disbursed $29,855
• Housing (rent/mortgage) $21,734
• Utility Bills $3,929
• Food Cards $3,322
• Other (medical, etc.) $869
• Agape Market - a weekly event for community members where we distribute food (100 25lb fresh vegetables and fruit boxes per week), along with clothing and meals.