Latest news with #ChristLutheran
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Santa Fe looks to new pallet community for homeless; public calls for new lease for Pete's Place
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – The City of Santa Fe is looking to build more pallet communities to help get the homeless off the streets. However, the future of a well-known shelter may be in jeopardy. Wednesday's city council meeting focused on the homeless epidemic facing the city. One of the initiatives brought up was a proposal from Mayor Alan Webber to build a new micro-community to house up to 50 individuals living on the streets. Story continues below Entertainment: First-of-its-kind indoor pickleball facility coming to northeast Albuquerque Community: Albuquerque church leaning on faith after 2 members killed by their son Environment: What should New Mexicans do if they come across a raccoon? 'In the past, we have seen that these micro-communities are very well managed. They have 24/7 oversight and security, along with wraparound services and hygiene facilities. They work very, very well in cities across the country, and the one here at Christ Lutheran has been very successful as a pilot,' the mayor stated in an interview on Tuesday. The proposed micro-community would be located near Rodeo Road and Cerillos Road, modeled after the one at Christ Lutheran Church, which currently houses 10 people. Mayor Webber has emphasized the city's efforts to combat homelessness since joining Built for Zero in 2019—a national movement aimed at ensuring that no one is left without housing. However, there are growing concerns about the possibility of ending the current lease for 'Pete's Place,' a well-known shelter in Santa Fe that provides food, medical care, and other essential services. The shelter's lease with the city is set to expire in October. During the meeting, members of the public urged the city council to save Pete's Place, with many speaking to save it and provide it with more funding to either expand or find a different, larger location. The council then went into an executive session to discuss Pete's Place, but did not provide the nature of what was discussed in the executive session. Mayor Webber mentioned that the city is actively looking for more properties that could be used for micro-communities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Santa Fe mayor speaks on city's efforts to address homelessness
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber is touting the success he's seeing in addressing homelessness. Mayor Webber said a microcommunity was established at Christ Lutheran church, and houses 10 people. On-site, there are hygiene stations, individual rooms, and 24-hour staffing. 'When we no longer talk about the homeless because there is no such thing as the homeless. There's individuals, each of whom has a different story, a different need, a different reason for being unhoused, and we need to treat everyone as an individual, so they get the kind of option for a Officials speak on wildfire that damaged Fort Stanton Historic Sit In 2019, Santa Fe joined a coalition called Built for Zero, which is a national movement where city officials try to build enough housing for their homeless population so that zero people are left without homes. A unique way they continue to address homelessness is by learning the names and history of the city's homeless population. 'When you know their names, you work with them individually to get the solution that fits their needs,' said Mayor Webber. The city is looking for more properties to implement microcommunities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Santa Fe mayor speaks on city's efforts to address homelessness
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber is touting the success he's seeing in addressing homelessness. Mayor Webber said a microcommunity was established at Christ Lutheran church, and houses 10 people. On-site, there are hygiene stations, individual rooms, and 24-hour staffing. 'When we no longer talk about the homeless because there is no such thing as the homeless. There's individuals, each of whom has a different story, a different need, a different reason for being unhoused, and we need to treat everyone as an individual, so they get the kind of option for a Officials speak on wildfire that damaged Fort Stanton Historic Sit In 2019, Santa Fe joined a coalition called Built for Zero, which is a national movement where city officials try to build enough housing for their homeless population so that zero people are left without homes. A unique way they continue to address homelessness is by learning the names and history of the city's homeless population. 'When you know their names, you work with them individually to get the solution that fits their needs,' said Mayor Webber. The city is looking for more properties to implement micro-communities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘We've built more than a school:' ChristKids celebrates 25 years with Silver Spring Fling
Twenty-five years ago, the goal to open a center that would serve local children and their families became a reality at Christ Lutheran Church. Located on Tulare Avenue in Visalia, the school is an outreach to the community that offers private faith-based subsidized child care and preschool classes for children ages 2 through 5. 'ChristKids is a place where every child will experience quality child care that prepares them for kindergarten,' said Noel Thompson, director of youth ministry at Christ Lutheran. "They will leave our preschool knowing that they are always loved by God, no matter what.' Planning for the school began in the 1990s and it took over nine years for a dedicated team to create a licensed preschool center. 'It's a gift to the children and a gift to the congregation,' said retired pastor Barry Vail, a key members of the team that established ChristKids. 'It really is a gift that keeps on giving.' On May 3, Christ Lutheran Church members and ChristKids staff, students and their families will gather to honor the school's 25th anniversary for their Silver Spring Fling. The celebration includes free food trucks, a silent auction to raise money for upgrades to the facility and scholarships for future students. It's also a time for the community to meet the school's new director, Tiffeny Nunes. She was hired as the Christ Kids Preschool & Childcare director in November. 'I can say with joy and confidence that what truly sets us apart is our deep commitment to nurturing the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—in a loving, Christ-centered environment," Nunes said. "For over two decades, we've built more than a school. We've built a faith-based community where children feel safe, known and celebrated." During the event, families are encouraged to tour classrooms and view the artwork and projects the students have created. 'Our goal for this year's fundraiser is twofold; to celebrate the legacy of love and learning that ChristKids has cultivated over 25 years and to raise funds to invest in the future of our school—enhancing our classrooms, upgrading playground equipment, and expanding resources for both spiritual and academic development. As well, as building our scholarships fund," Nunes said. "We want this Spring Fling to be a joyful gathering of past and present families, supporters, and staff—a true reflection of the heart of ChristKids. Together, we can plant seeds for the next 25 years of impact.' In recent months, the school has expanded to offer child care for children as young as 2 years old. This change was made to accommodate more families looking for quality child care for toddlers in Visalia and to allow the school to remain open as more parents are choosing to send their children to free preschool and TK programs offered on public elementary school campuses. "Our passionate teachers go beyond early academics; they guide children in kindness, compassion, creativity, and curiosity—all rooted in the teachings of Jesus," Nunes said. "From our small class sizes to our individualized care, from joyful worship songs to hands-on learning, Christ Kids is a place where children grow with purpose and families feel supported every step of the way.' California has a significant unmet need for affordable child care, with only a fraction of eligible children receiving subsidized care, according to California's budget and Policy Center. The state needs to make "significant and sustainable investments" in expanding subsidized child care options, particularly for infants and toddlers, according to the center's website. The demand for subsidized child care has outpaced supply. An analysis of 2022 data shows the continuation of this trend, underscoring the need for a larger supply of subsidized child care spaces in California. A 2022 Current Population Survey, the latest data, shows that the number of preschool age children enrolled in all U.S. schools, both federally funded and private, increased by 13%, from 40.3% in 2020, the first year of the pandemic, to 53.3% in 2022 when the pandemic emergency ended. With the cost of living steadily increasing, more parents are being forced to find affordable child care for younger children, and options for private child care centers in Tulare County are limited. Families can apply for assistance through Connections for Quality Care with Tulare County Office of Education What: ChristKids Silver Spring Fling When: Saturday, May 3 from 5-7:30 p.m. Where: Christ Lutheran Church, 3830 W. Tulare Avenue in Visalia Who: CLC members and all ChristKids families and staff (past and present) This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: ChristKids celebrates 25 years in Visalia with Silver Spring Fling
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Santa Fe officials plan to expand pallet home program
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Nearly one year into an experiment building tiny homes for the homeless, Santa Fe now says it's ready to pour millions of dollars into an expansion of what they call a success. 'I do think that the pallet communities present a very flexible and rapid response to a very critical problem,' said Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber. Story continues below National: American Airlines plane, military helicopter collide near DCA, crash into river Crime: 14-year-old killed in robbery attempt, seven teens charged in connection Don't Miss: Lea County using technology to help find lost loved ones who wander away With that, the city is now putting millions into expanding the project after approving a $2 million funding boost toward pallet homes Wednesday night. 'I want to reiterate that we have not chosen any sites, that we are still in the process to figure out what the best strategy is to communicate to our constituents and our residents where and how these are going to be managed,' said Alma Castro, Santa Fe City Councilor. The pallet homes in Santa Fe have now housed 29 people since opening last April. Right now, the city's ten pallet homes are located in the parking lot of the Christ Lutheran church which helps manage the site. Out of the 29 people that have lived there, the city says five people have found permanent housing while another five are on a waiting list. Mayor Alan Webber says there've also been no calls for service at the site. 'So, I think it's a phenomenal success by all measures. It is safe for the residents and for the neighborhood and people begin to get their bearings. They get in a safe place to live,' said Mayor Webber. With the funding boost, Santa Fe is looking to buy 100 more pallet homes but the mayor concedes that pallet homes are just one part of the solution to the city's homeless issues. 'We need master leases in motels and hotels where we can house homeless people. We need to continue to look for an apartment building or something to buy. We need a day service center,' said Mayor Webber. The city says part of the funding shift to buy the pallet homes is in part because the city's had a hard time securing the purchase of a brick-and-mortar site for affordable housing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
