Albuquerque Heading Home is a nonprofit organization with roots that began in the year 2000, when the State decided that dormitories at the State Fairground in Albuquerque would no longer be available for winter night use by the homeless. A coalition of homeless-service organizations, dubbed the Homeless Advocacy Coalition (HAC) was hastily formed to find alternative emergency nighttime shelter for these individuals. Wright and Hammer Architects assisted HAC with site selection, program-support and planning. With financial assistance from the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, a former rental-truck service facility was secured for use as an Emergency Shelter for homeless men.
The initial project was designed and constructed in-part with donated Architectural Services and labor from the Contractor and Subcontractors. Many supplies were donated by local Building Material Companies. The project employed several homeless men as laborers, and now permanently employs one of those men for full-time on-site maintenance. The project served as a learning site for the Youth Build Organization which trained several at-risk students in carpentry skills, and also as an experimental mural site for Working Classroom, a creative arts organization also for at-risk youth. In 2010, with direct assistance from APS Facilities Design & Construction, Jamo and Denise helped to secure the permanent loan of 4 portable classroom buildings, and designed a series of connecting exterior decks, ramps, walkways and landscaping, providing additional outdoor seating options, exercise and weightlifting space. A subsequent grant through the City of Albuquerque made possible the design and construction of the Respite Care Addition, which included sleeping accommodations, showers and restrooms, a laundry facility, pantry, medical exam rooms and administrative offices. Through collaboration with a landscape contractor, a series of phased improvements within the courtyard provided shade, edible plants, composting bins, a soothing fountain and an exterior fireplace. The Albuquerque Opportunity Center which has recently been reorganized and renamed Albuquerque Heading Home to better reflect its current mission, now receives significant collaborative support from the City of Albuquerque, as well as other local homeless service providers. |
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