August 2010. Last month we had a free concert at Chuska Apartments. Mary McBride performed for us and it was beautiful. It appeared that most of the people at the concert had not experienced one before and so they were shy and engaged at the same time.
We now have a leadership team in place. Carolyn Stansberry is our new Chief Financial Officer. She has been restructuring our financial management system. We are very grateful for the dedication and experience that she brings to the job. Rhonda Berg has been our Housing Development Director for a few months now. She is getting up to speed with all our grants and plans. Carl Smith, our Chief Operating Officer has been working very hard these few months. Please thank them for their work if you happen to meet them.
In July our Board met for a half day retreat and confirmed our commitment to rehabbing the Lexington and the Liberty Hotel and developing a housing development in downtown Gallup. All we have to do is find money to complete these projects.
We have the peculiar problem of being almost full to capacity. Our clients seem to be motivated to find work and put their lives together.
Thank you again for your support in this endeavor of bringing prosperity to this area and making hope possible.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Trying to help change the world by helping people get into jobs and homes.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Gallup Journey Column July 2010
Its July already…. We have finished tying the odds and ends of the grant we were awarded through SAMHSA to provide services to people suffering from a dual diagnosis i.e. mental health and substance abuse issues. All that remains for us to do is begin the program and start drawing down some monies. This grant will pay for services for the next five years and we are very grateful to everybody who encourages us. One my first day on the job – way back in 2005 – Jim Harlin (the Executive Director of the Community Pantry) said, “Now you need to get a grant from SAMHSA”. It took us five years of applying every year get this grant award.
This month we will be having a ‘free’ concert – free as in bring your check book to put some money in the collection plate at Chuska Apartments on Saturday, July 17.
Also look for news for a bike ride fund raiser tentatively scheduled for September 18. It will be a 66 mile ‘metric’ century (it's only a few miles more than a true metric century). There will be shorter options too. Riders collect pledges and it helps us tremendously. I plan to ride the whole metric nine yards. Please let me know if you want to pledge to support this ride.
We are busy working on two or three grants for the next month or so. We hope these grants will give us the money needed to complete renovations on the Lexington and maybe even some money for the Liberty Hotel.
Thank you again for your support in this endeavor of bringing prosperity to this area and making hope possible.
Until next month stay well and do good!
This month we will be having a ‘free’ concert – free as in bring your check book to put some money in the collection plate at Chuska Apartments on Saturday, July 17.
Also look for news for a bike ride fund raiser tentatively scheduled for September 18. It will be a 66 mile ‘metric’ century (it's only a few miles more than a true metric century). There will be shorter options too. Riders collect pledges and it helps us tremendously. I plan to ride the whole metric nine yards. Please let me know if you want to pledge to support this ride.
We are busy working on two or three grants for the next month or so. We hope these grants will give us the money needed to complete renovations on the Lexington and maybe even some money for the Liberty Hotel.
Thank you again for your support in this endeavor of bringing prosperity to this area and making hope possible.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Gallup Journey Column June 2010
Its June…Remember last month I mentioned a surprise phone call from a funding agency. Well we visited Washington last month in connection with a grant to provide support services to formerly homeless clients. We are busy putting the program together and sorting out all the odds and ends.
We are growing and struggling to grow. Our biggest challenge is the availability of a regular source of funds. For CARE 66 we need 100 people to give us at least $100 per month. We have five people doing this right now. You can help us. And it doesn’t have to be $100 it can be $20. Regular income, is something we need. Its like an endowment that those big fancy schools have. $20 per month is equal to an endowment of at least $2000 and a $100 per month is equivalent to $10,000 of endowment, assuming that it earns an income of 5% which is a conservative assumption.
We are finalizing details with the architect for the Lexington. Our hope is to have construction documents completed by the end of July so that we can go out to bid and begin construction quickly. Meanwhile we have a bunch of money to raise.
Thank you again for your support in this endeavor of bringing prosperity to this area and making hope possible.
Until next month stay well and do good!
We are growing and struggling to grow. Our biggest challenge is the availability of a regular source of funds. For CARE 66 we need 100 people to give us at least $100 per month. We have five people doing this right now. You can help us. And it doesn’t have to be $100 it can be $20. Regular income, is something we need. Its like an endowment that those big fancy schools have. $20 per month is equal to an endowment of at least $2000 and a $100 per month is equivalent to $10,000 of endowment, assuming that it earns an income of 5% which is a conservative assumption.
We are finalizing details with the architect for the Lexington. Our hope is to have construction documents completed by the end of July so that we can go out to bid and begin construction quickly. Meanwhile we have a bunch of money to raise.
Thank you again for your support in this endeavor of bringing prosperity to this area and making hope possible.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Gallup Journey Column May 2010
It’s May already. Following the City Councils decision to invest in affordable housing CARE 66 has submitted several grant proposals to leverage these monies. One of our proposals is looking at future affordable housing projects through 2014. In a few months we hope to be able to report on how these proposals fared.
Good news comes with bad news. At least two private foundations have denied us grants and others have reduced their giving substantially. This makes our life more difficult. The economic realities of this recession continue to limit us by slowing down projects.
We are grateful to all of you who continue to support our work with your donations. No gift is too small. A few weeks ago I received a surprise phone call from a funding agency asking if we still wanted the grant that we had been denied. I will let you know how this turns out when, and if, we receive the paperwork.
Thank you again for your support in this endeavor of bringing prosperity to this area and making hope possible.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Good news comes with bad news. At least two private foundations have denied us grants and others have reduced their giving substantially. This makes our life more difficult. The economic realities of this recession continue to limit us by slowing down projects.
We are grateful to all of you who continue to support our work with your donations. No gift is too small. A few weeks ago I received a surprise phone call from a funding agency asking if we still wanted the grant that we had been denied. I will let you know how this turns out when, and if, we receive the paperwork.
Thank you again for your support in this endeavor of bringing prosperity to this area and making hope possible.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Gallup Journey Column April 2010
Its April and I want to share some very good news with you. The Mayor and City Council of Gallup voted to invest in CARE 66’s housing projects. This is a welcome investment in the work of that we do. It will enable us to leverage funds, i.e. bring in more monies because of the investment by the City.
I want to thank Councilor Bryan Wall for his persistent support for our work. I am also very grateful to councilors Allan Landavazo, Mike Enfield and Jay Azua who unanimously voted to support our work. Mayor Mendoza is to be commended for his leadership and for making this investment possible.
I also want to thank the acting City Manager Dave Pederson, the Chief Financial Officer for the city Judy Starkovich and the Economic Development Director Pete Kelly. It is common to forget the work and efforts of the staff who have done a great job in finding the resources that City Council needed to invest. We are grateful to all who helped make this possible.
This is a big step forward for the city. I will be working very hard to ensure that we all profit from this partnership.
Thank you again for your support in this endeavor of bringing prosperity to this area and making hope possible.
Until next month stay well and do good!
I want to thank Councilor Bryan Wall for his persistent support for our work. I am also very grateful to councilors Allan Landavazo, Mike Enfield and Jay Azua who unanimously voted to support our work. Mayor Mendoza is to be commended for his leadership and for making this investment possible.
I also want to thank the acting City Manager Dave Pederson, the Chief Financial Officer for the city Judy Starkovich and the Economic Development Director Pete Kelly. It is common to forget the work and efforts of the staff who have done a great job in finding the resources that City Council needed to invest. We are grateful to all who helped make this possible.
This is a big step forward for the city. I will be working very hard to ensure that we all profit from this partnership.
Thank you again for your support in this endeavor of bringing prosperity to this area and making hope possible.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Gallup Journey Column March 2010
March 2010.
Liberty Hotel aka ‘Carl’s Radio and TV’: The first draft of construction drawings has been completed. We will need to make minor changes and add detail but we are well along the way. Funding applications should go in this month and I will let you know the good news when it comes.
Lexington Hotel: This month we will commission construction drawings and submit funding applications to complete renovations.
Chuska 3 (for want of an official name): Preliminary drawings have been completed. The building will have more than 40 units of low income housing and parking. This project is going to be wonderful addition to the downtown area and is very creative in its approach to solving housing issues like privacy, personal space and security. We hope to see renderings soon.
Meanwhile, we continue to work hard to provide transitional housing to homeless men and veterans. We passed both a Veterans Administration and a New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority inspection of our facility.
Foundations are suffering the loss of endowment income which has affect some of our grants. We hope that the economy picks soon.
Thank you again for your support in this endeavor of bringing prosperity to this area and making hope possible.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Liberty Hotel aka ‘Carl’s Radio and TV’: The first draft of construction drawings has been completed. We will need to make minor changes and add detail but we are well along the way. Funding applications should go in this month and I will let you know the good news when it comes.
Lexington Hotel: This month we will commission construction drawings and submit funding applications to complete renovations.
Chuska 3 (for want of an official name): Preliminary drawings have been completed. The building will have more than 40 units of low income housing and parking. This project is going to be wonderful addition to the downtown area and is very creative in its approach to solving housing issues like privacy, personal space and security. We hope to see renderings soon.
Meanwhile, we continue to work hard to provide transitional housing to homeless men and veterans. We passed both a Veterans Administration and a New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority inspection of our facility.
Foundations are suffering the loss of endowment income which has affect some of our grants. We hope that the economy picks soon.
Thank you again for your support in this endeavor of bringing prosperity to this area and making hope possible.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Gallup Journey Column February 2010
February 2010. We have almost completed applications requests to fund the rehabilitation of the Lexington Hotel and the Liberty Hotel. Hopefully these requests will be successful and we will be able to complete these projects this year.
We are also in the process of finalizing plans for a housing development on Coal and Puerco - we eager to see what our architects have come up with this. More on this next month.
We are at the beginning of another year. As usual we will be looking for opportunities to promote affordable housing in Gallup. The City of Gallup has received a proposal from CARE 66 to help with the costs of putting these projects together. We hope that they will give it the consideration it deserves and the support we need.
We are looking forward to a successful year but we are also aware that we still have to recover from the struggles for 2009. This is going to take hard work, discipline and vision and together we can make success happen.
We are very grateful to those of you who sent year end donations to us. Every little bit helps. It helps to make hope possible despite the many obstacles we face. Thank you.
Until next month stay well and do good!
We are also in the process of finalizing plans for a housing development on Coal and Puerco - we eager to see what our architects have come up with this. More on this next month.
We are at the beginning of another year. As usual we will be looking for opportunities to promote affordable housing in Gallup. The City of Gallup has received a proposal from CARE 66 to help with the costs of putting these projects together. We hope that they will give it the consideration it deserves and the support we need.
We are looking forward to a successful year but we are also aware that we still have to recover from the struggles for 2009. This is going to take hard work, discipline and vision and together we can make success happen.
We are very grateful to those of you who sent year end donations to us. Every little bit helps. It helps to make hope possible despite the many obstacles we face. Thank you.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Gallup Journey Column January 2010
It’s the beginning of a New Year. Welcome 2010! Hopefully the trials of 2009 are over and we can move forward with deliberate speed.
Here’s what we have on our plate for 2010.
1. Lexington Hotel – get the remaining funding to complete renovations this year. Schematic design has been completed, detail drawings are under way. When complete this facility will provide an innovative mix of affordable housing and transitional housing for low income individuals, along with the services they need.
2. Liberty Hotel formerly known as Carl’s Radio and TV. Again we hope to get the remaining funds we need to complete renovations. This facility will provide transitional housing for homeless veterans.
3. Chuska Three (for want of a better name) submit applications to fund different components of the project once we have a clearer sense of the feasibility of the project. By this I mean how many apartments, what kind of apartments, parking, how much rental office space, etc.
4. Improve our success rate from 40% to 50% for getting clients into permanent housing and jobs.
I am very grateful for the support you have given us this past year and hope that you will continue to support our work. Thank you. As usual every little bit helps. We are going to explore a few different ideas for fundraising events this year.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Here’s what we have on our plate for 2010.
1. Lexington Hotel – get the remaining funding to complete renovations this year. Schematic design has been completed, detail drawings are under way. When complete this facility will provide an innovative mix of affordable housing and transitional housing for low income individuals, along with the services they need.
2. Liberty Hotel formerly known as Carl’s Radio and TV. Again we hope to get the remaining funds we need to complete renovations. This facility will provide transitional housing for homeless veterans.
3. Chuska Three (for want of a better name) submit applications to fund different components of the project once we have a clearer sense of the feasibility of the project. By this I mean how many apartments, what kind of apartments, parking, how much rental office space, etc.
4. Improve our success rate from 40% to 50% for getting clients into permanent housing and jobs.
I am very grateful for the support you have given us this past year and hope that you will continue to support our work. Thank you. As usual every little bit helps. We are going to explore a few different ideas for fundraising events this year.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
We couldn't have done it without you! Thank You!
Click on the picture below to read our year end thank you letter.
Friday, December 4, 2009
We are closing down the salsa factory
At our November Board meeting we voted to close down the salsa factory because we are losing money on the project. We were unable to compete with commercial producers, partly, we think because our process is more labor intensive.
We will continue to explore possibilities for job creation and revenue generation but will exercise far more restraint when we consider entering markets that do not fit directly with our mission of developing affordable housing.
We will continue to explore possibilities for job creation and revenue generation but will exercise far more restraint when we consider entering markets that do not fit directly with our mission of developing affordable housing.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
News for December 2009
It’s December and we are thankful for resources that enable us to operate and push forward with our plans. We are grateful for the Gallup Journey that faithfully publishes this column every month. Thank you Nate and Heather.
Particularly, we are grateful for:
• Volunteers who faithfully come in and help us.
• For the support of churches like Holy Spirit Episcopal, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bethany Christian Reformed, Rehoboth Christian Reformed, First United Methodist among others.
• The support we receive from the Board of Commissioners of McKinley County – Dave Dallago, Ernest Becenti, and Billy Moore and the staff particularly Tom Trujillo and Doug Decker.
• The City of Gallup, particularly Mayor Mendoza and Council Members Mike Enfield, Bryan Wall, Jay Azua, Allan Landavazo and city staff particularly, Gerry Herrera, Dave Pederson and Pete Kelly.
• For individuals (you) who give to us from the little that they have and earn.
• For the foundations that support us such as the Daniels Fund and many foundations who receive our grant requests.
• For our clients who strive to succeed despite the many challenges they face finding work and homes to put their lives together.
• For a Board of Directors who diligently give their time and money to help us succeed. And. They will be calling you to ask for a year end gift to support our work.
Thank you!
If you happen to meet them please thank them for their support for the work of CARE 66.
Drawings for the Liberty Hotel project which will provide transitional housing to homeless veterans and renovation plans for the Lexington have been completed. We will be submitting grant applications for gain the remaining funds we need to begin construction.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Particularly, we are grateful for:
• Volunteers who faithfully come in and help us.
• For the support of churches like Holy Spirit Episcopal, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bethany Christian Reformed, Rehoboth Christian Reformed, First United Methodist among others.
• The support we receive from the Board of Commissioners of McKinley County – Dave Dallago, Ernest Becenti, and Billy Moore and the staff particularly Tom Trujillo and Doug Decker.
• The City of Gallup, particularly Mayor Mendoza and Council Members Mike Enfield, Bryan Wall, Jay Azua, Allan Landavazo and city staff particularly, Gerry Herrera, Dave Pederson and Pete Kelly.
• For individuals (you) who give to us from the little that they have and earn.
• For the foundations that support us such as the Daniels Fund and many foundations who receive our grant requests.
• For our clients who strive to succeed despite the many challenges they face finding work and homes to put their lives together.
• For a Board of Directors who diligently give their time and money to help us succeed. And. They will be calling you to ask for a year end gift to support our work.
Thank you!
If you happen to meet them please thank them for their support for the work of CARE 66.
Drawings for the Liberty Hotel project which will provide transitional housing to homeless veterans and renovation plans for the Lexington have been completed. We will be submitting grant applications for gain the remaining funds we need to begin construction.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
News for November 2009
November is here. This is the month we celebrate Thanksgiving. We are grateful that people help each other in times of trouble. CARE 66 is grateful for your generous and kind support over the years. We could not have done it without your help. With your help we have helped over a 1000 people in the last few years. Many of them have got jobs, found a home and become productive citizens.
We have developed housing for thirty families. And we are planning and designing our next projects. These include a rehab of the Lexington Hotel, a rehab of Carl’s TV and the development of another low-income housing project. To do these we will need your help.
This month our Board will be calling those of you who have given us money in the past as part of year end campaign. We want you to know that every little bit helps. If you would like to support our work and have not been able to in the past, you can do so by sending us a check or using our website (www.care66.org) to make a donation through PayPal.
Meanwhile our work continues of finding resources and leveraging them to increase their impact. This year we have not been as successful in the past with grant applications in national competitions. Hopefully, next year will be a better year for us. Thank you again for everything you do to help us.
Until next month stay well and do good!
We have developed housing for thirty families. And we are planning and designing our next projects. These include a rehab of the Lexington Hotel, a rehab of Carl’s TV and the development of another low-income housing project. To do these we will need your help.
This month our Board will be calling those of you who have given us money in the past as part of year end campaign. We want you to know that every little bit helps. If you would like to support our work and have not been able to in the past, you can do so by sending us a check or using our website (www.care66.org) to make a donation through PayPal.
Meanwhile our work continues of finding resources and leveraging them to increase their impact. This year we have not been as successful in the past with grant applications in national competitions. Hopefully, next year will be a better year for us. Thank you again for everything you do to help us.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
News for October 2009
Well the good news is that end of the year is in sight. The recession has bottomed out, meaning that we soon be able to look back on this time with lessons learned.
At CARE 66 we have learned that non profits suffer early in a recession with declining donations because the people who support our work are most affected by the current recession.
In the next few weeks we hope to be able to announce that we completed negotiations with architects for the re-development of Carl’s TV and the development of the adjacent vacant lot.
We are also awaiting news of whether or not we will have a bulk purchaser of our Mother Road salsa. I was hoping to announce that we have found a funder to assist with the redevelopment of the Lexington Hotel, however, that news will have to wait until next month.
Out of the 46 people who have been through our transitional housing program 19 have moved into permanent housing. This year we have received 774 dinners for our clients from you. Thank you.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
News for September 2009
This year’s Indian Ceremonial was again a big success for Gallup. CARE 66 assisted with setting up tents, the exhibition hall, the pow-wow area, painting the performers rooms and taking it all down at the end. More than 25 people worked hard every day. Buck Largo, headed up our efforts to provide labor. Buck helps people get jobs, gets them resume’s and helps them fill in job applications. Buck also oversees any work that our Handy Man services provide to the community. If you need any work done please give Buck a call.
Next month we hope to announce a new program that will provide rent and utility assistance to people facing eviction and to families who find themselves homeless. This program coordinated by the Gallup Housing Authority is the shape of homeless assistance programs to come.
This week we met with Albertson’s to see if they would distribute our Mother Road salsa in the region. Please continue to buy our salsa off the shelves Albertson’s.
I thank each and every one of you for providing us with the support and encouragement we need to do the work getting people into homes and providing the services necessary for people get into homes and keeping them there.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Next month we hope to announce a new program that will provide rent and utility assistance to people facing eviction and to families who find themselves homeless. This program coordinated by the Gallup Housing Authority is the shape of homeless assistance programs to come.
This week we met with Albertson’s to see if they would distribute our Mother Road salsa in the region. Please continue to buy our salsa off the shelves Albertson’s.
I thank each and every one of you for providing us with the support and encouragement we need to do the work getting people into homes and providing the services necessary for people get into homes and keeping them there.
Until next month stay well and do good!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
August 2009
Mother Road Salsa is available in Albertsons, La Montanita Coop, and at the Makeshift Gallery downtown. This salsa made by our clients under the supervision of a former client who is certified by USDA. Please be sure to buy our salsa from these places.
I am sure that you have heard about the economy. It’s bad. Individual donations are down about 25% compared to last year. This is a huge loss of revenue for us.
Meanwhile, despite the doom and gloom of the economy, we are persisting with our efforts to develop Carl’s TV and the adjoining lot and seeking funds to rehab the Lexington Hotel. We hope to be well positioned to take advantage of any opportunities that should arise in the future.
The latest report about homelessness is out. According to this report there are 3015 homeless people on any given night in New Mexico. Of this number 58% are in rural areas like Gallup.
Several non profits came together under the leadership of Danny Garcia, Executive Director of Gallup Housing Authority, to apply for a grant to provide assistance to people facing homelessness because of eviction. The collaborative, which includes non profits from both McKinley and Cibola County, was given an award. The grant will pay for financial literacy, case management, rental and utility assistance. Stay tuned for further details.
Until next month stay well and do good!
The column above appears in the Gallup Journey (http://www.gallupjourney.com/)every month.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
July 2009
I stand corrected. My statement last month about stimulus monies was wrong because I spoke to soon. Apparently some is coming to Gallup. We will find out what it is when it arrive.
We have begun putting together grant proposals so that we can renovate the Lexington. Tim Kelley is leaving us, which will be a great loss to us. Please thank him for his many years of service to CARE 66. He was one of the first people to join the staff of CARE 66. We wish him well on his future journey and hope that our paths cross again.
Work is progressing on Carl’s TV. We are still waiting to see how we finance it. We have been denied grants by at least three foundations in the last month, all of whom have laid off staff and closed offices.
We are waiting to hear about whether or not Albertsons will carry our salsa in the region. They carry it in the store at Gallup. Please look for Mother Road Salsa over there and buy it.
Until next month stay well and do good!
The column above appears in the Gallup Journey (http://www.gallupjourney.com/)every month.
We have begun putting together grant proposals so that we can renovate the Lexington. Tim Kelley is leaving us, which will be a great loss to us. Please thank him for his many years of service to CARE 66. He was one of the first people to join the staff of CARE 66. We wish him well on his future journey and hope that our paths cross again.
Work is progressing on Carl’s TV. We are still waiting to see how we finance it. We have been denied grants by at least three foundations in the last month, all of whom have laid off staff and closed offices.
We are waiting to hear about whether or not Albertsons will carry our salsa in the region. They carry it in the store at Gallup. Please look for Mother Road Salsa over there and buy it.
Until next month stay well and do good!
The column above appears in the Gallup Journey (http://www.gallupjourney.com/)every month.
Monday, June 1, 2009
June 2009
I have spent the last six months looking for Stimulus monies, American Reinvestment monies and seem to come up with nothing. I can’t find any stimulus. And so as usual we are left to our own devices – to sink or swim. As we always have been, it seems.
CARE 66 is in the process of negotiating with architects to breathe life into the former Liberty Hotel aka Carl’s TV. A second phase of this project will be to build affordable housing on the empty lot just west of it. We are waiting to find out if the Veterans Administration will be willing to fund a portion of this project.
This is going to be a big project. And its our first big project. The beginning of many more, hopefully. Like all beginnings it comes after having been working on housing and related issues for the last four years.
This week we received a grant to help with the renovation of the Lexington from BNSF. It came at just the right time. We will be able to put in new kitchen appliances upstairs and fix some leaking plumbing. Thank you Burlington Northern Santa Fe!
The number of people needing affordable, decent and safe homes continues to grow regardless of the mortgage crisis. Did you know that more people work in Gallup than live here. In other cities the number of people working is generally closer to half the population of the city.
Until next month stay well and do good!
The column above appears in the Gallup Journey (http://www.gallupjourney.com/)every month.
CARE 66 is in the process of negotiating with architects to breathe life into the former Liberty Hotel aka Carl’s TV. A second phase of this project will be to build affordable housing on the empty lot just west of it. We are waiting to find out if the Veterans Administration will be willing to fund a portion of this project.
This is going to be a big project. And its our first big project. The beginning of many more, hopefully. Like all beginnings it comes after having been working on housing and related issues for the last four years.
This week we received a grant to help with the renovation of the Lexington from BNSF. It came at just the right time. We will be able to put in new kitchen appliances upstairs and fix some leaking plumbing. Thank you Burlington Northern Santa Fe!
The number of people needing affordable, decent and safe homes continues to grow regardless of the mortgage crisis. Did you know that more people work in Gallup than live here. In other cities the number of people working is generally closer to half the population of the city.
Until next month stay well and do good!
The column above appears in the Gallup Journey (http://www.gallupjourney.com/)every month.
Monday, March 30, 2009
CARE 66 Salsa in Albertsons
As of March 31, 2009, Albertsons in Gallup will be carrying our Mother Road Salsa. Please make sure to go and buy it there.
Mother Road Salsa is also available from the Makeshift Gallery and La Montanita Coop on Coal Street in downtown Gallup.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
CARE 66 Purchases the Liberty Hotel
Safe haven for vets
Old Carl’s TV building in downtown Gallup sold to CARE 66
Tim Kelly of Care 66 locks the front door to the old Carl's TV building on Monday. Care 66 recently purchased the building and is planning to turn it into a veterans transitional housing facility. — © 2009 Gallup Independent / Brian Leddy
Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Gaye Brown de Alvarez
Staff writer
GALLUP — It is a classic building, built by a Gallup builder around 1928, using Gallup bricks.
But like many old buildings, it has seen better days. It was originally constructed as the Liberty Hotel, then it was Carl’s TV.
Now it has been purchased by CARE 66, to be used for homeless veterans’ transitional housing.
“We bought it for less than the appraised value,” CARE 66 Executive Director Sanjay Choudhrie said in an interview Monday, and he explained the money came from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The renovation money will mostly come from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, he said, and imagines the renovation costs to be somewhere between $2 million and $2.5 million to house about 15 vets.
The decaying structure will be fully rehabilitated for the purpose of providing supportive housing to area homeless veterans, male or female.
“That’s awesome,” said Vietnam vet Dave Cuellar. “President Obama was just talking last night about how homeless veterans are a national problem. I know most of these homeless people around here are veterans. I see them walk around and I just know there are vets and many of them are Natives. Our group that meets every other Friday at Don Diego’s used to take up a collection to help the down and out vets. It wasn’t that we wanted to do because it’s out of our pocket but somebody has to help them. This is great.”
Cassandra Morgan, a former Marine, and vice president of the Collegiate Veterans Association at UNM-Gallup said it was good people were thinking about women vets also. “But a lot of these women vets have dependents. They’re single moms. Would dependents be allowed to stay there? A lot of these ladies won’t utilize this because dependents won’t be included. But it is great.”
CARE 66 just closed on the building with former owner Steve Garcia and also just closed on the deal in buying the downtown Lexington Hotel at 408 West Highway 66. In addition, the organization houses about 16 people in the Frances House on Boyd Avenue in Gallup.
The old Carl’s TV building at 108 S. Strong needs some serious renovation. It is a two-story building, and the second story caught fire about 10 years ago, charring many of the main roof supports. The floor and walls have some fire damage, but the building looks sound. Because it is an old building, the group must consult with the state Historic Preservation Office and make sure the facade and windows help preserve the historic architecture.
“Historical preservation puts a lot of regulatory burden attached to grants,” Tim Kelley, Chief Operating Officer of CARE 66 said. “I’m not complaining. It’s challenging.”
The plans include renovation of the 13 rooms upstairs, a kitchenette, lounge area, common bathrooms, a lounge in the front. The organization is in the process of selecting an architect for the project and is scheduling construction to begin in September-October of this year.
“We will get contractors who do this work and ask them to give our clients a shot. If they don’t work out, that’s OK,” Choudhrie said. “But we haven’t gotten to that stage yet.”
Friday, March 13, 2009
Closing on the Lexington
John and Pat Rosendall the former owners of the Lexington Hotel watch as documents are signed. John and Pat renovated the Lexington, which was a dump, when they first acquired it. It has been a labor of love for them and we hope to continue their good work. We thank them for investing their sweat, blood and tears. Thank you Pat and John.
Joseph Esparza and Jane Ann Polich sign closing documents on the Lexington Hotel on March 13 with Veronica Williams. CARE 66 now has the capacity to provide low income housing to 27 individuals. After renovations, estimated at $635,000 we will be able to provide transitional housing to homeless men and women including veterans. Renovations will increase capacity by about 25.
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