About AHCH - ABQHCH

Our Mission and Vision

Our Principles

Board of Directors

Our Staff

Mission

Fueled by compassion and driven by equity, we lead boldly, create exceptional health care experiences, and raise voices to end homelessness.

Vision

To live in a world that is just and without homelessness.

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Serving New Mexico

For over three decades, Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless (AHCH) has served our community as the only health care organization in Central New Mexico dedicated exclusively to providing services to people experiencing homelessness. AHCH provides critical services to over 7,000 men, women, and children every year. By addressing the health-related causes of homelessness, AHCH makes it possible for people to find solutions to end their homelessness.

WHO WE SERVE

Over 7,000 people experiencing homelessness received services from AHCH in 2020. That includes 16,198 health center encounters and 10,000 contacts made through outreach services and drop-in/Recourse Center visits.

22% stay at shelters, 18% in an other locations (campers, cars, vans, jails, hospitals etc.), and 20% on the streets. The reminder are in unstable or transitional housing or unreported.
64% of the clients served were male, 36% were female, and children/youth made up 3% of those served.
50% identify as Hispanic. 42% identify as White, 8% as African American, 11% as Native American/American Indian, 1% Asian/Pacific Islanders and the remainder are unknown or unreported.

Disclaimer: This health center is a Health Center Program grantee 42 U.S.C. 254b, and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n).

Our Principles

Save Lives

When you support AHCH, you are saving lives. Your donations to AHCH provide our clients with access to care including treatment for chronic illness. Our clients are able to set up recurring appointments to help manage their care.

Causes Of Homelessness

Homelessness in the US is caused by oppression, structural factors (lack of affordable housing, etc.), and personal vulnerabilities (trauma, Mental illness, addiction, etc.)

Homeless bill of Right

Every person has the right to adequate food, housing, clothing, and health care. All people have the right to participate in the decisions affecting their lives.

Public Policy

Contemporary homelessness is the product of conscious social and economic policy decisions that have retreated from a commitment to ensuring basic life necessities for all people. Good public policy can reverse this trend.

End Homelessness

Ensuring safe, decent, and affordable housing, health care, education, and living wage and/or adequate income supports, will go a long way to end homelessness.

Challenge Oppression

We have the responsibility to challenge oppression based on racism, sexism, classism, and other biases/stereotypes within ourselves and our community and society.

Collaborate

We collaborate with public and private sector organizations to ensure the best care for our clients, and to address the systemic causes of homelessness.

Inclusion

We include people experiencing homelessness in our policy-making, listening to their needs, recognizing their disenfranchisement and isolation from society, and promoting their empowerment towards self-sufficiency.

Our Team on HCH Day

Learn more about our passionate team members who make a positive impact in the lives of people experiencing homelessness in this video interview that was recorded on Health Care for the Homeless Day. Each year on this day, we celebrate the work being done at health care for the homeless clinics and to advocate for policies that end homelessness by providing opportunities into housing and comprehensive integrated health care and the dedicated individuals, community partners and donors that make our work possible. Special thanks to Uriel Ibarra, our summer intern from the University of Norte Dame, for filming and editing this production.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors meets the second Tuesday of every month at 5:15 pm. If you are interested in attending a meeting, please call 505-767-1178 to confirm meeting dates, times and location.

JOHN JOHNSON

BOARD PRESIDENT

Committee Involvement: Executive Committee Chair

John has lived in Albuquerque since 1995 and brings a background in education, social work and business administration. His commitment to non-profit organizational support and development in the community started in 2010 with United Way. He has a passion for serving the community and healthcare needs of the underserved.

MIKE WALLACE

BOARD PRESIDENT-ELECT

Mike is the Vice President of Growth and Strategy for Optum New Mexico. He has a background in contracting, negotiation, public affairs, communications, compliance, strategy, growth and business development. Michael received his Bachelor’s degree from the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism at the University of Southern California with an emphasis in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication. He received his Master of Health Administration at the University of New Mexico. He is a Leadership New Mexico graduate.

CHELSEA RITCHIE

TREASURER

Committee Involvement: Finance Committee - Chair

Chelsea has ten years of experience leading internal audit, policy development, and other consulting projects, as well as leading external financial statement and compliance audits for higher education, government, not-for-profit, financial institution, and health care organizations. She has performed and supervised numerous audits in accordance with IIA International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, GAS, and GAGAS. She is experienced in evaluating internal controls and risks related to accounting and finance functions, including those surrounding treasury and banking processes.

VANESSA MACKEY-WILLIAMS

SECRETARY

Committee Involvement: Client Leadership - Chair, Executive

Following retirement she produced and hosted a radio show, became a Chaplain at Overlook Medical Center in NJ, and graduated from the NY Theological Seminary. She holds a Level 1 ACPE certification and has a MA in Pastoral Care & Counseling and 27 years of experience in prison ministry.

WALT BOLIC

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Committee Involvement: Executive, Governance, Policy

Walt is Principal of AlliedOne Advising, a boutique consulting firm providing services to assist small businesses and executive leaders to improved performance and efficiency. He currently sits on the Board of Managers for the Advanced Care Hospital for Southern New Mexico (Las Cruces). Walt was President and CEO of Delta Dental of New Mexico for sixteen years before retiring in 2016. In addition, he has significant experience in the health industry working for two hospital systems and a health plan.

LAURA CROWE

BOARD MEMBER

Committee Involvement: Finance, Governance

Laura is a native New Mexican who attended the University of New Mexico - College of Nursing. She has worked in various nursing and administrative positions; currently at Presbyterian Healthcare Services. Laura has volunteered with AHCH for many years.

MARY ANN O'NEAL

BOARD MEMBER

Committee Involvement: Fund Development

Mary Ann’s has worked as a social worker in the health care field with a focus on direct care, program planning, policy development, community assessments, advocacy, program evaluation and fund/resource development. Her active 45 year professional career has has given her experiences from community, regional and national levels.

CARL SCHENCK

BOARD MEMBER

Committee Involvement: Fund Development Committee - Chair

Bio Coming Soon.

EMMYLOU EMRICK - SNYDER

BOARD MEMBER

Committee Involvement: Program Review Committee - Chair

Bio Coming Soon.

EMILY HARMON

BOARD MEMBER

Graduated from nursing school in 2000 and worked briefly in NYC before moving to Albuquerque in 2002. I have spent the last 17 years at UNMH in the Pediatric ICU. After completing my MPH I trained as a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) and have been working for Albuquerque SANE Collaborative since 2019.