The Voice of La Puente

Fall 2014Photo Journal

Mineral

Conejos

Costilla

Alamosa

Saguache

Rio Grande

La Puente is a non-profit organization in Colorado’s San Luis Valley providing emergency shelter, food assistance, transitional housing, self-sufficiency services, homeless prevention, community outreach services and job training for the homeless and other community members in crisis.

Our Mission We endeavor to meet immediate

needs and empower people to live independently, with dignity.

Table of ContentsMeaning of Hope ........................3 Food Bank Network ........14Poverty in the San Luis Valley ....4 Community Education ...17Hope in Our Community..............5 Enterprises ...................18Emergency Shelter Services .....6 Giving ............ ................20Outreach Services .. ..................8 Program Needs...............21Adelante ................................ ..10 Volunteering ..................22PALS Children’s Program ...........12 Prayer.............................23

“Like” Us on Facebook Join our E-News list! info.lapuente@gmail.com

911 State Avenue Alamosa, CO 81101 www.lapuente.net 719.589.5909

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The Meaning of HopeWhen someone isn’t sure where their next meal is coming from, or how they will heat their home during the frigid winter months, hope takes on a whole new meaning. We live in one of the poorest areas economically in the state of Colorado. We have the fourth highest child maltreatment rate in the state and we routinely see those who have lost their homes, their jobs, and oftentimes, their dignity. We are, however, rich in agricultural resources, a slower pace of life, and community members who care. Our partnerships within our community and with organizations throughout the state allow La Puente to serve the most urgent needs. La Puente’s programs and services all exist to meet the needs of our communities in the San Luis Valley and to provide...hope.

2,924 individuals were

served in our Homeless

Prevention Program

during the past twelve months.

Colorado has 64 total counties. The San Luis Valley is made up ofsix of these counties. Of these six, four are considered “persistently poor” - defined as a county that has at least 20% of the population living at or below poverty level for 30 years or more.

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Poverty in the San Luis Valley

Clients wait outside the Alamosa Food Bank.

Conejos

Historically, the San Luis Valley has always struggled with poverty. Decades of economic instability have exacerbated the issues of hunger and homelessness for all parts of the population, especially our children.

Food Insecurity & Hunger

“Hunger is not an issue of charity. It is an issue of justice.”

~Pablo Neruda

Hunger is a daily reality for many poverty-stricken people. The irony is that people are food insecure in the very rural and farming regions whose productivity feeds the rest of the country. Food insecurity is the lack of access to fresh food such as milk, eggs, meat, and vegetables, or the inability to know when the next meal might be. With 8,000 square miles of Valley and only a few major grocery stores- food insecurity is a very real and very immediate concern for many.Each year over 2,500 seasonal

and migrant farm workers come through the San Luis Valley to harvest produce on local farms, earning money to send home. Many of these individuals will come through La Puente Home in search of a safe place to stay, a few warm meals, and the opportunity to shower.

Villa Grove’s only grocery store provides basic necessities but is located at least 40

miles from the nearest major retailer.

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Colorado Kids Count Survey% of Kids under 18 in Poverty

15.5% of rural households are food insecure.

That’s 3.1 million households.

174migrant families

were served at the shelter during the past twelve

months.

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time

we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

- Galatians 6:9

Hope in Our Community

A work group from Estes Park builds plant beds for VEGI.

A community volunteer listens closely to her PALS buddy.

Local/State/Federal

Government

Church/Individual

Foundations &Businesses

What Our Clients are Saying:

“We would starve some days without the Food Bank.” - Alamosa Co.

“The Food Bank is very good for the San Luis Valley.” - Rio Grande Co.

“It’s a very needed service.” - Costilla Co.

Without the support of our many partners, La Puente couldn’t do what we do every day. We depend on the many people from our community and from communities around the country who participate in our events, volunteer their time in our programs, giving of themselves so wholeheartedly. We are grateful and proud to count them as part of our organization!

Volunteers drop off a donation to the Antonito

Food Bank.

AmeriCorpsLa Puente’s Support

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Emergency Shelter Services

714 Individuals were sheltered in the past year

123 Families Sheltered

In twelve months, La Puente Home has seen an increase in the number of guests who leave our facility with employment or benefits!

Out of 658 adults:

227 Adults Exited the Shelter with Employment

158 Exited with Benefits

49 Disabled Veterans Sheltered

*National estimates say that 57,849 veterans are homeless on any given night. La Puente works with veterans with the help of the Grant Per Diem program, which allows our veterans to find supportive housing and services to achieve employment and residential stability. La Puente’s programs want to extend hope to those men and women who served our country and now need a little extra support.*The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

Everyone who enteres our shelter is treated as a guest - finding safety, stability, and new hope. Warm beds, hot, regular meals, and shower services meet physical needs while supportive services and case management help guests with a second chance at a better life. Through our veterans program, homeless veterans have the opportunity to call our shelter “home” for up to two years. Regardless of situation, hundreds of guests each year find shelter with La Puente.

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“...the only cure for for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is LOVE.” ~ Mother Theresa

Children are affected by poverty even more than adults as they are completely dependent on their parents’ earnings.

46,310 Meals Served

1,173 Hygiene Kits

Given

A Year at the Shelter...

PALS kids cuddle a pet belonging to a shelter guest.

Families often stay at the shelter in one of the family rooms available. Children are able to

participate in the PALS after school program.

Our shelter director, Tona, shows the chart that tracks bed assignments

for the shelter.

With meals at 6:00 a.m., noon, and 6:00 p.m., community members and guests are assured of

something to eat.

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Outreach Services

Rent/Mortgage Assistance

72 households

Utility Assistance

964 households

Medical Assistance

186 households

In a Twelve Month Period Outreach Helped:

Thousands of people in the Valley struggle to pay necessary bills such as electricity, gas, or rent even if they are employed full-time. This struggle often results in eviction and homelessness. At Outreach Services, individuals and family regain their dignity and hopes for a brighter future when they receive rental assistance, utility grant funds, gas vouchers, and referrals for medical services. Through our partnerships, our clients receive the support and encouragement they need to meet needs and stay secure.

A wood splitter helps us process donated wood. Over 1,000 Valley households use

wood to heat their homes.

A mother and her girls talk with AmeriCorps member Lindsey about their options.

School children happily hold their brand new backpacks and school supplies.

In the Valley, winter temperatures can drop to below zero for days at a time. Clients receive firewood when utility assistance runs out, which often happens with the high heating bills typical of rental homes. Outreach Services is partnering with Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) in order to better utilize energy in La Puente’s buildings and our clients’ homes.

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This year at the annual Backpack Drive, over 640

kids received school supplies. That’s up from 250 at the last

drive!

200 studentsAlamosa Co.

104 studentsConejos Co.

83 studentsCostilla Co.

109 studentsSaguache Co.

135 studentsRio Grande Co.

The annual Outreach Christmas party treats hundreds of guests to cookies & cocoa while handing out gifts.

Serving all six counties of the San Luis Valley, La Puente Outreach provided homeless prevention services to 2,924 people last year - primarily Valley residents.

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Assistance

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AdelanteTransitioning Families Out of Homelessness

Adelante provides a home and stability for their families on the way to self-sufficiency. Through weekly case management and attending Life Skills classes, which include budgeting, “green living” home care, parenting classes, and nutritious meal planning, Adelante families are better able to achieve independence. We encourage families to find their dream and go for it!

“I think togetherness is a very important

ingredient to family life.”

~ Barbara Bush

Did You Know?Adelante was the first rural

homeless transitional

housing program in the

state of Colorado.

Adelante means forward in Spanish. The goal of our program is to keep our

clients moving forward to accomplish THEIR goals!

An Adelante family celebrates packing their car to move to their new home!

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Walk into almost any living room in America and you’ll find the same thing over and over - a family photo resting on a bookshelf or displayed prominently on a wall. Parents are proud of their children, and Adelante families are no different as one of our work groups recently learned. While painting stripes onto concrete near one of the Adelante houses, the group leader snapped photos of a young Adelante boy who eagerly helped the group. His mom told the leader that they had never had a family photo taken. The leader offered to come back later for a more formal session. After the mom, grandmother, and children had a chance to “gussy up,” they took photos which they now cherish.

Adelante currently has

17 familiesenrolled

This year, Adelante families all posed for portaits!

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Gleaning

“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner

residing among you.” ~ Leviticus 23:22

The Gleaning Program partners with local farmers to gather thousands of pounds of produce which are then distributed to the Food Bank Network, the shelter, and community members in need.

Valley Educational Gardens Initiave believes in introducing everyone to the joys of gardening.

Garden camp activities range from creating individual compost piles, planting seeds & caring for them,

to meeting local farm animals.

4,000 pluspounds of

produce were gleaned in the past

year.

In one summer, over 80

kids attended garden camp!

2,574 pounds of produce were harvested from the gardens.

During the school year, staff teach elementary school classes about the importance of local foods and nutrition in their daily lives.

Gleaning a good sized field takes hours. Work groups keep tools and good spirits in hand!

Carrots are gleaned almost as much as potatoes.

V E G I

Each summer, VEGI hosts a garden camp for community kids. Through planting, weeding, and harvesting, VEGI helps our community to love food in all its forms!

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Community Education“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning...” - Luke 12:35

Did You Know?The HEARTH Act of 2009

(Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transitional Housing) expanded the definition of homelessness to include those at imminent

risk of homelessness, including those living doubled up or in substandard conditions. People struggling with homelessness in

rural areas often go more undetected than their urban counterparts.

The issues of homelessness, poverty, hunger, and food insecurity are stark realities faced by the San Luis Valley. Over 18% of the population live in poverty and 25% experience daily hunger . Community Education seeks to promote understanding of the issues of poverty, hunger, and homelessness by building relationships within our community and beyond. We hope that people might be inspired to action by compassion for those affected.

Community members participated in CROP Walk - a worldwide effort to highlight

hunger issues.

A Candlelight Vigil honors the struggles of the homeless.

Talking with a work group to foster better understanding of rural homelessness and

poverty.

Community Education staff often work behind the scenes to provide support to

other programs and to tell La Puente’s story.

If you or your church, school, or even just a group of friends would like us to share La Puente’s

story, please contact the Office of Community Education at 719.587.3499

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PALS Children’s ProgramPositive Activities Lead to Success

In twelve months, the kids enjoyed daily learning

experiences & over 25 field trips !

“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Every child deserves a space to be loved and supported. Children who don’t often have this in their own homes find it after school and during the summer through PALS. Serving kids ages 5-9, PALS offers a safe, nurturing environment with healthy models of behavior for children with experiences of trauma.

Pulling carrots at Garden Camp - the PALS have their own special section of garden to

care for.

Fiber Artist

PlanetariumScience Museum

Wildlife Hikes

Snuggling puppies at the Valley Humane League.

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PALS Pride is one way that the program gives back to their community. Whether it’s picking up trash, planting trees for Arbor Day, handing out groceries for the Food Bank, orhoeing weeds in an alleyway, the PALS kids learn the important value of hard work.

PALS kids paint over graffiti (left) and help with the Food Bank’s commodities distribution (above).

Painting at Ventero Open Press, one of PALS’ community partnerships.

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The Food Bank Network of the San Luis Valley

Wyatt helped load 6,000 pounds of squash for the Alamosa Food Bank.

“The Food Bank has always helped in

times we need it.”~Alamosa County

resident

Local school kids donated canned goods during their Fun Run in Alamosa.

The Food Bank focuses on feeding the body and soul of everyone walking through their doors. 1 in 4 people are currently experiencing hunger in the San Luis Valley.Through partnerships with local farmers as well as utilizing the produce from the VEGI gardens, the Food Bank addresses the immediacy of hunger and malnutrition in the San Luis Valley.

Clients in Antonito have the option of choosing frozen foods.

La Jara

Capulin

Antonito

San Luis

BlancaAlamosa

Monte Vista

CenterDel Norte

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Crestone

Moffat

Saguache

A recipe of cabbage and kale is offered for people to try. Clients are encouraged to take

as much fresh produce as they like.

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“I never look at the masses as my responsibility. I look at the individual.

I can love only one person at a time. I can feed only one person at a time.

Just one, one, one.” ~ Mother Theresa

La Puente’s partnership with Care & Share, the Feeding America

chapter in Colorado Springs, allows us to bring

even more food resources to

Valley residents.

San Luis Valley residents wait in line for commodities distribution.

981 Households Served

2,890Individuals Served

1,149ChildrenServed

26,010Meals Provided

In just one month!

AmeriCorps service member Alex counts points for a Food Bank client.

The Food Bank strives to provide healthy options and educate clients about nutrition.

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Social Enterprises

Monte VistaAlamosa

“Shine your soul with the same egoless humility as the rainbow and no matter where you go in this world or the next,

love will find you, attend you, and bless you.” ~ Aberjhani

Tons of items are donated each week to both Rainbow’s End locations. The staff work diligently to sort, price, and display the generous contributions from our community members. Even the “unsellable” items have a purpose - clothes are bundled into cubes which are then shipped to Arizona and recycled.

ReThreadsReThreads offers clients the opportunity to shop for clothing and household goods when they have no other resources. Being away from the mainstream clientele helps to maintain the dignity of those in need.

Both store locations depend on the hard work of staff and volunteers to keep the doors open. Thanks to numerous donations, Rainbow’s End thrift stores are able to support the programs of La Puente both financially and through their daily efforts.

Rainbow’s End Alamosa manager Rich Stepp always lends

a hand to sort donations.

Rainbow’s End Monte Vista staff are creative, cheerful, and

love to help customers.

Rainbow’s End Thrift Stores

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Social Enterprises

Alamosa’s Community Living RoomMilagros is dedicated to supporting the mission & programs of La Puente and raising awareness of homelessness, hunger, and poverty in the San Luis Valley.

A family enjoys the outdoor cafe tables during the summer.

Almost any time of day finds local musicians enjoying

their craft.When La Puente decided to open the location on Main Street, local health codes required restaurant quality appliances - a cost that we couldn’t afford. Luckily for us, however, the Colorado State Lottery soon held their annual non-profit drawing. A supporter sent in a lottery ticket with “La Puente” written on the back. As the

announcer struggled to pronounce the unusual name, guests at the shelter watching the show realized that we’d won the $10,000 prize! It was enough to purchase the necessary appliances and gave our coffeehouse its distinctive name, “Milagros,” Spanish for “miracle.”

Milagros Coffee House

Games are a favorite way to pass the time.

With the high poverty rates in the valley, our social enterprises provide meaningful vocational opportunities for dozens of people. Through profits generated by our two thrift stores and coffeehouse, social enterprises not only supports but also shares in the mission of La Puente to impact the hungry and homeless.

Why Milagros?

Community members buying a cup of coffee is a daily way to engage in our miracle.

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We Need Your Support!

Our work is made possible through your love and generosity. We rely on individuals like you, who share of their time, material, and financial resources. By making a gift of support to our work, you mirror back a few of the values we hold most dear: compassion, generosity, and availability. We invite you to renew your financial partnership with us. Donations of every size have an immediate impact for those we serve.

Give a Gift TodayWith your financial support, we are able to provide homes, offer renewed hope, and encourage families as they trek the road to self-sufficiency. The financial support you provide accounts for the greatest portion of our program’s funding. We are proud that 85% of our funding comes from non-governmental sources! Also, by choosing where your tax dollars are spent, you are eligible for tax credits and deduction.

Leave a Lasting LegacyYou can be a part of ensuring the financial strength and stability of La Puente for generations to come by donating to the Legacy Fund. Formed in 2012, the Legacy Fund is our endowment. We manage it separately from other donations, so that it holds and invests its principle value and contributes only the earnings to our work with the hungry and homeless. For Colorado residents, gifts of $100 or more are also eligible for the 25% Enterprise Zone tax credit.

Learn MoreContact Gena Akers at 719.588.5678 or email gena.lapuente@gmail.com

Visit us online at www.lapuente.net/donate.

Consider these options as you plan: vCharitable Gift AnnuitiesvCharitable Remainder TrustsvMemorial and Honorary GiftsvBequestsvAppreciated StockvBeneficiary Designations

1. Donate $100 or more.2. Make the donation payable to “The Enterprise Zone” for a 25% tax credit or “PALS Program” for a 50% tax credit.3. Mail us your gift.4. We’ll send you a certificate of tax credit.**To be eligible, you must be a Colorado resident.

These tax credits can be carried forward to future tax years.

Let Generosity Reduce Your Taxes

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Our Program Needs

Enterprises

PALS

Outreach Services

Adelante Food Bank Network

V.E.G.I

Community Education/Volunteer Coordination

~ small tables for 4-5 people~ cars for work/school

~ scholarships for TSJC and ASU students

~ Gas vouchers to attend work/school

~ pro bono time for client legal issues

~ Bicycles with baby carriers~ pro bono time for financial

advice~ Make a donation for PALS field trips

~ Sponsor new PALS T-shirts

~ donated firewood~ Safeway gas voucher gift cards in

$10 increments~ Cleaning supplies

(furniture polish, floor cleaner, bathroom cleaner, paper towels)

~ Used Pick Up TruckFor Milagros:

~ chafing dishes & dish sets ~ retail shelving

~ Plastic quart sized bags (to separate bulk items)

~ Canned Protein (peanut butter, tuna, chicken, beans)

~ Thanksgiving turkeys~ Thanksgiving items

Shelter~ Hygiene kits

shampoo/conditionertowels/soap

toothpaste/toothbrushrazors/shave cream

deodorant/lotionfeminine products

~ Diapers (sizes 4, 5, 6)~ Basketball

~ new men’s underwear/socks~ new U.S. flag for flagpole

~ flag case

For Volunteer Houses:~ microwave

~ tire iron~ car jack

~ lawn mower~ weed whacker

For Office:~ mini fridge

~DSLR camera~ painting supplies~ New or used tools~ event tent canopy “How far you go in life depends on

your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged,

sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong.

Because someday in your life, you will have been all of these.”

~ George Washington CarverReThreads

~ dish soap & laundry detergent~Hygiene Items

~ Men’s clothing (all sizes)~ silverware & dishware

For a more complete list of needs, please visit us online at

www.lapuente.net/donate

~ organic soil/ organic compost~ wood chips~ volunteers

HELP!We desperately need to purchase the following:

~ Replacing ALL the bunk beds at the shelter for metal ones

($400/bed)~ Rainbow’s End Monte Vista has a roof that leaks badly & must be

replaced according to experts. We need a miracle!

Admin Office~Volunteer Receptionist for

mornings or afternoons~ Office Supplies for all

programs (copy paper, ink pens, staples, pencils, post-its)

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Want to Volunteer?

Full Time Community Volunteers - 201AmeriCorps Service Members - 20

Part Time Community Volunteers - 387Work Groups - 71

Work Group Participants - 597That’s over 68,000 hours of service!

In Just One Year...

“In about the same degree as you are helpful, you will be happy.” ~ Karl Reiland

Gleaning potatoes from a local field.

To learn more about volunteering, contact our Office of Volunteer Coordination

at 719.587.3499 or click on “Serve with Us” at www.lapuente.net

AmeriCorps service member Stacey with a Food Bank client.

A work group weeds in the VEGI garden.

The mission of Volunteer Coordination is to engage others in social justice issues and impart the value of service. Whether a church work group, a community volunteer, or AmeriCorps service members, Volunteer Coordination hopes to facilitate the experience of service for everyone.

Share in the mission of La Puente:vStock food at Food BankvBring a meal to the sheltervOrganize a food drive

vWrap presents at Christmas

vRead books to kids

vSort donations at thrift store vWeed/water gardensvBike maintenancevDecorate for events

vDonate hygiene kits

vknit hats & scarves

vmowing lawns

v Drive clients to appointmentsvchop firewood

vRead books to kidsvWeed/water gardensvBike maintenance

vDonate hygiene kits

vknit hats & scarves

vmowing lawns

vchop firewood

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I will be generous with my love today.

I will sprinkle compliments and uplifting words

everywhere I go. I will do this knowing

that my words are like seeds and when they fall on fertile soil,

a reflection of those seeds will grow into something greater.

~ Steve Maraboli

P.O. Box 1235Alamosa, CO 81101

www.lapuente.net

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage Paid

Alamosa, CO 81101Permit No. 27

“I find the greatest thing in this world is, not so much where we STAND, as in what direction we are MOVING.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Change Service Requested