On October 28th, Española City Council will vote on whether or not to renew Pathways' Permit.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Has Pathways brought more homeless people to Española? NO. 

THE FACTS:   In the last six years, homelessness in Española has increased tremendously due to the COVID pandemic, the fentanyl crisis, the destruction of affordable housing, and rapidly rising housing prices.

 

 

Are most Pathways Shelter clients from outside Española? NO.  

THE FACTS:   Over 85% of the people served at the shelter have been from Española and surrounding areas since they opened in 2020.

 

 

Is Pathways Shelter just a place for the homeless to hang out?  NO.  

THE FACTS:      Pathways Shelter provides:

ESSENTIALS: food, clothing, bathrooms, showers, a warm place to sleep.

MEDICAL HELP: primary care, mental health support, medically assisted drug treatment, insurance coordination

ADDITIONALLY: Housing navigation, case management, job searches, obtaining ID's, food stamps, and more.

 

 

Is Pathways Shelter closed most of the time? NO.  

THE FACTS:      Day services are offered 9-5, M-F, year-round, providing essential services like food, clothing, and shelter (see full list above.)

The Overnight Shelter runs seasonally during the coldest months of the year. On October 13 overnights resume, 4 days per week. From December through March, overnights will operate 7 days per week.

 

 

Did Pathways encourage people to camp in its parking lot?  NO.  

THE FACTS:      Pathways responded to the sudden overwhelming needs of local people displaced by the closure of apartments in Española and then again to the disbandment of the river encampment. These people had no place to go.

Pathways responded by trying to keep them safe while offering safer places to go:  Over 60 people were referred to drug treatment, 59 to medical care, 31 to mental health facilities, and 25 to other shelters. Many more were reconnected and rehoused with family and friends.

Once funds were obtained, a security fence was installed and the encampment was disbanded. Now there is no camping allowed on the shelter property, which is controlled by the fence, security, and staff.

 

HOW CAN I HELP?

Call or email your elected officials and urge them to renew Pathways' permit!

Tell your family and friends to do the same by sending them this webpage.

 

List of contacts:

 

City Councilors

 

District 1    Aaron J. Salazar

ajsalazar@espanolanm.gov

505-470-6580

 

District 1    Pedro Valdez

Pvaldez@espanolanm.gov   

 

 

District 2    Nanette D. Rodriguez

ndrodriguez@espanolanm.gov

505-490-3161

 

 

District 3    Denise D. Benavidiz

ddbenavidez@espanolanm.gov

505-927-6572

 

District 3    Felicia Archuleta-Toya

Farchuleta@espanolanm.gov

505-500-9715

 

 

District 4    Justin J. Salazar-Torrez

jsalazar-torrez@espanolanm.gov

505-490-3583

 

District 4    Samuel Z. LeDoux

Szledoux@espanolanm.gov

505-500-9605

 

 

Mayor

 

Mayor John Ramon Vigil

jrvigil@espanolanm.gov

505-747-6018

 

Mayor Pro Tem Peggy Sue Martinez

peggysuemartinez@espanolanm.gov

505-490-3159

 

 

Representatives 

 

Rep. Joseph Sanchez

Joseph.Sanchez@nmlegis.gov

 

Rep. Susan Herrera

susan.herrera@nmlegis.gov

 

 

Senator 

 

Leo Jaramillo

leo.jaramillo@nmlegis.gov

505-620-0800

 

What should I write?

 

Here's a sample paragraph. Please properly address your elected representative and add your own thoughts!

 

The Pathways shelter has provided compassionate care to homeless people in Española since 2019. They provide critical resources of food, clothing, bathrooms, and a warm place to sleep. In addition, the shelter addresses the underlying causes of homelessness by partnering with like-minded organizations to provide primary medical care, mental health support, medically assisted drug treatment, insurance coordination, housing navigation, case management, job searches, obtaining IDs and food stamps, and more. These services are provided year-round. Over 85% of the shelter's population is from Española and the surrounding areas.

 

Their permit is at risk. Closing Pathways will put more people out on the streets! Please encourage the Española City Council to renew the shelter's license on October 28th. 

 

For more information, please contact the shelter about their life-saving work. (505) 753-4453

https://www.espanolapathwaysshelter.org/contact-us.html