Working Together to Change the World

Funding our Mission to End Homelessness

After eight weeks as an intern, Patrick O’Shea bids farewell to Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless (AHCH) to journey forward in his career. During his time at AHCH, Patrick said he was inspired by the clients and their stories, and the staff in each program. “They all taught me well,” said Patrick. He learned that “treating the whole person and not just a wound” is the best approach to care. Patrick was also surprised by how integrated and transdisciplinary care is at AHCH, stating that housing case management, birth certificates, IDs, and syringe exchange were all more than he expected. He was always on the move and experienced something different every day. Patrick was an intern in the Summer Service Learning Program of Notre Dame University in which students intern with diverse organizations that serve people living in poverty. Patrick helped with the day-to-day activities at the Resource Center, assisted the staff in the Medical Clinic, and lent a hand during Harm Reduction Outreaches and ArtStreet Open Studio. The next steps for Patrick include a brief visit with family and then beginning the fall semester in London, England and back to Indiana in the spring of 2018. Patrick said he is going to miss Albuquerque, but most importantly everything smothered with cheese and chile.

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AHCH welcomes our AmeriCorps VISTA Jeremy Yazzie. He will be serving AHCH for one year. Jeremy will be working to build capacity for the organization and promote the mission of AHCH and will work with the Fund Development Team, Board of Directors, and Fund Development Committee Volunteers to fund our mission. We sought the opportunity to expand the diversity of our Development team and intentionally designed a role to grow our own in the philanthropy field. Philanthropy changes the world. We knew right away when we read Jeremy’s application that he would be the perfect fit and addition to our team. Jeremy has worked with the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in rural New Mexico, and more recently coordinated the HIV testing program at the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico. He is also pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Native American Studies and a minor in Communications at the University of New Mexico. For over 50 years, AmeriCorps VISTA has been building capacity in nonprofit organizations to help bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Thank you to the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness for your support in bringing on a VISTA to serve with AHCH.