ALONGSIDE TURNS THREE!!
It is hard to believe that Alongside is three! Looking back over the last few years, we just want to share a few of the many highlights!
To date we have served over 40 families.
We are currently working with 25 families.
Four of our mentees who were struggling when they learned they were pregnant, chose life because of the support received.
We estimate that we have distributed over $25,000 in diapers/wipes, baby clothes, furniture/household items since launching.
We distributed over $4,000 in much needed food boxes during Covid and the holidays in 2020 to our families. We provided 2 food boxes and household items at the beginning of Covid when store shelves were bare. With help from donors like Overhead Door of Albuquerque we also provided holiday food boxes at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
We have had wonderful donors who have bought Angel Tree gift for Christmas for our mentees. This past year Albuquerque’s First Baptist Church sponsored our Angel Tree. During the Easter season last year, we had a wonderful donor provide Easter baskets to all of our families.
Two of our mentees are currently working on obtaining their high school equivalency.
Three of our mentees are pursuing degrees in nursing and three of our mentees are pursuing degrees in nursing and accounting.
We have had two mentees who have come to faith in Christ and several others who are growing in their faith.
There are so many people to thank as we reach our third birthday. First, Alongside wouldn't exist without the selfless work of Alongside mentors. They have spent countless hours investing in Alongside families.
We also want to thank all of those who have donated. Many of you have donated furniture or household items. We have been able to set-up several of our mentees in apartments. They literally had nothing. We also want to thank those who have donated financially. Your contributions are the reason we can continue doing what we do. Thank you so much!!
Family Doesn’t Have to be Blood
All of our mentors are AMAZING! They all care so much for the families and mom’s they work with. Covid restrictions made things very challenging this past year. We had one mentor, though, who truly went above and beyond caring for her mentee during this difficult time. Her name is Michele B. and we can’t thank her enough for the love and care she has given her mentee. We recently interviewed her mentee C. to find out how important their relationship has become.
First a little background. When we first met C. she was just coming out of an abusive relationship that had lasted for years. She had just given birth to a new baby girl, and she was afraid. Staying in the relationship was not an option, though. Alongside was there for her as she began her new life. C. recently commented, “Alongside has meant the world to me. They helped me realize I am not alone.”
C. lives in housing in the war zone of Albuquerque. To say there are issues with public housing, is an understatement. C.’s mentor has been a huge advocate for C. and her family. She has helped C. in so many ways including dealing with a roach infestation in her apartment and advocating for C. when she was ignored by city officials. “Michele has been there for me in so many ways and I can’t thank her enough”, explained C.
Michele’s support of C. has made a huge impact on C. C. had a difficult childhood. Growing up the way she did and also being in an abusive relationship for years had left her feeling unworthy and alone. “Michele has been there for me, especially mentally. She has helped me to see that I am worthy
of being heard and worthy of being loved. She has taught me
of being heard and worthy of being loved. She has taught me that family doesn’t have to be blood. Michele will call me out on my stuff. She does that because she wants the best for me. She will never know what she means to me. I have such gratitude for her. She is an answer to prayer.”
We can’t thank Michele B. enough for all the ways she has supported her mentee.