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St. Martin's Day Shelter ProgramServices in the Day Shelter include:
Following are brief descriptions of each of the Day Shelter services: Shelter from the elements is the most obvious function of our facility at 1201 3rd St. NW . Once there, our clients receive assistance for many other basic needs. In addition to directing the services listed above, shelter staff helps to ensure that the building is a welcoming environment. Some are specifically charged with maintaining behavioral policies that make it a safe environment for all our clients, including families and children. Most important, all serve as points of contact and referral to St. Martin 's other programs or appropriate agencies and services in the area. As part of its meal and food program, St. Martin 's offers the following:
St. Martin 's meal program is funded through a State of New Mexico Human Services Department and FEMA grant and $95,000 a year in food donations from area grocery stores, restaurants and caterers. St. Martin's Hospitality Center serves an average of 350-400 individuals each day in the Day Shelter. According to internal records, St. Martin 's served over 110,000 meals during the last fiscal year by means of this unique combination of funding and donated food. A walk-in freezer acquired through a grant from the PNM Foundation enables St. Martin 's to store fresh food and make far more efficient use of its donations. Approximately 60 people utilize shower facilities (for men and women) each day. Hundreds more use only the toilets. We provide the most commonly used hygiene products to our clients, including soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, toiletries and feminine hygiene products. Most of these items are donated. These services are used primarily by clients looking for work and/or a place to live.
St. Martin 's storage service provides a secure location for individuals to store their personal items. Short-term storage is available for clients when they are at work, going about daily tasks or utilizing other Day Shelter services. Long-term storage is available on a month-to-month basis. Space constraints limit long-term storage to one 3"x 2'x 10" banana box. Long Term Storage hours of operation are 8:30, 10:30 and 12:30. Nearly 200 clients a day utilize this service. In addition to the obvious benefits, St. Martin's storage services also helps to prevent homeless people from becoming victims of attacks and robberies by reducing the incentive for such crimes. The personal and economic cost to the individual and the community is thereby reduced. Many people living on the street need help in dealing with various bureaucratic systems such as Social Security, Identification Cards obtained through the Motor Vehicle Department, Albuquerque Police Department, etc. St. Martin's Hospitality Center has a staff person who meets with individuals daily to assist them with these and many other issues. Approximately 60-70 people each week utilize this service. St. Martin's Hospitality Center contracts with the City of Albuquerque to provide 11 workers each day to the Solid Waste Department. We also employ 4 people to clean trash and debris in the neighborhood around St. Martin 's as well as in the Knob Hill area. In addition, people in the community who need day laborers contact our Jobs Office and workers are recruited. Approximately 200-300 day jobs are filled each month through St. Martin 's in addition to the workers provided to the Solid Waste Department. Bernalillo Metropolitan Court Judge Victoria Grant began Homeless Court three years ago to assist homeless people to help themselves. The first Homeless Court , held on June 5, 2002 , had 2 participants. Since then it has grown considerably! Approximately 20 to 30 homeless individuals appear before Homeless Court each session. Homeless Court only addresses warrants on what are known as "Quality of Life" crimes: minor traffic violations; criminal trespass, drinking in public, and other petty misdemeanors. These warrants were issued when the person failed to appear in court or failed to pay a traffic fine. A homeless individual with a warrant on a felony or a misdemeanor charge of DWI, domestic violence, or any other violence-related charge cannot go to Homeless Court . Homeless Court was held at Healthcare for the Homeless for the first couple of years, then moved to St. Martin 's Hospitality Center this past year, meeting bi-monthly. Beginning November, 16 th , Judge Grant will preside over Homeless Court monthly at St. Martin 's. Jill IIngraham, Probation Officer, is the supervisor of Homeless Court . St. Martin's staff members can refer our clients to Homeless Court, including in our referral what positive steps the individual is taking to better his/her life, and hopefully to get off the streets. In most cases, Judge Grant quashes the warrant, and dismisses the charges so the homeless individual no longer has to worry about going to jail. As someone who has referred people to Homeless Court and observed numerous sessions, I am so impressed with the warm atmosphere provided by Judge Grant and her staff in encouraging our homeless clients in their positive endeavors! Please click here for a copy of Saint Martin's Notice of Privacy | |