Print this page REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FROM ALBUQUERQUE UCC CONGREGATIONS TOX Ministries in Phoenix has six families who plan to relocate to New Mexico in light of the recent passage Immigration Reform in Arizona (SB-1070). TOX Ministries is a bi-lingual, Hispanic ministry with a strong outreach to young adults, families and children. Their pastor, Rev. Luis Gonzales, has appealed to the Albuquerque area churches for help. Albuquerque's two UCC Spanish language congregations, Iglesia Congregational Unida UCC and Camino de Vida ("Way of Life," which is a shared new church start of the UCC, Presbyterian and Lutheran churches), receive calls from people headed to Albuquerque from Arizona - sometimes, the people have already arrived and call for immediate help. Many Latinos and Latinas now find the environment in Arizona unfriendly, if not outright hostile, to them and their families. While some have decided to stay and assert their rights, others seek a new home where the laws and community attitudes feel less confrontational. With our large Hispanic population and our multi-cultural and bi-lingual realities, New Mexico is a place many are choosing to reestablish their lives. Pastor Mary and James Irick met with John Dorhauer, Albuquerque UCC pastors, and other church leaders this week to discuss how our churches might help. Three immediate needs were identified: (1) temporary housing while families find a long-term place to live; (2) furniture and household goods once housing is secured; and (3) money - both for security deposits and first months' rent, and also for food until employment can be secured. Not all families will need cash assistance. The UCC pastors in Albuquerque are asking their congregations to receive a special offering to meet immediate, short-term needs of individuals and families arriving in Albuquerque. Rev. Guillermo Yela, founding pastor of Camino de Vida, will help people secure long-term housing and coordinate payment of security deposits, first months' rent, and vouchers for food. Money gathered in our congregations will be remitted to Camino de Vida, and will be accounted for through Camino de Vida's Pastoral Discretionary Fund. Rev. Daniel Erdman, Pastor and Teacher of Iglesia Congregational Unida UCC, is coordinating a list of resources for people who arrive in Albuquerque. The list will include community organizations, food pantries, possible housing options, employment assistance individuals and agencies, and the like. Rev. Bill Ingraham, Pastor and Teacher of Church of the Good Shepherd UCC, has agreed to maintain two lists: (1) a list of people who can provide temporary housing for up to two weeks, and (2) a list of people with furniture and household goods (cooking utensils, plates, glasses, sheets, towels, etc.) that newly arrived people can use to establish their homes once housing is secured. (Note: items will not be collected until needed.) Can you help? Can you provide temporary housing? Do you have spare household goods or furniture? Please contact Rev. Bill Ingraham by telephone (505-856-1004) or email (pastor.bill.ingraham@gmail.com).