TAOS IMMIGRANT ALLIES

DECEMBER 2020 NEWSLETTER

December is the month of holiday celebrations with family and friends. And, there isn’t anything more magical than farolitos on cold winter nights twinkling in the snow. Many of us have fond traditions, both religious and non-religious, that we revel in this time of year. No matter what form of spirituality you practice, giving to others is also part of the holiday tradition. 2020 is like no other year, and it has changed the priority of Taos Immigrant Allies.

Covid -19 has been hard on all of us emotionally but imagine if you lost your job or your hours were cut, and your children at home doing remote learning without dependable internet.  Many times a day, we hear from our immigrant neighbors, friends, and our clients that they are unable to pay their rent, utility bills, and they can’t keep food on the table or their cars running.

We have been able to help immigrants in our community with your donations, and with the grants, we have received since May 2020.  We are so grateful for all your help. Below is a list of the grassroots work we have accomplished through your generosity.

Food – Many in our community suffer from food insecurity even before the pandemic hit, now it has gotten so much direr. NM has one of the highest percentages of our residents going to bed hungry. Since May, we have given out $14,000 in food cards to our clients. With many community volunteers/stewards, TIA have organized and placed 10 Little Free Pantries around Taos County to provide food within the neighborhoods to offer 24/7 food items.  More locations have been requested. Food insecurity has only increased during the last eight months

Rent and Utilities – Many of our clients have lost their jobs or have had their hours severely cut, yet their rent still needs to be paid. The utility bills have increased with schooling at home, internet use, and now with winter upon us, heating bills have increased. We have supported families with their utilities and rents, contributing $55,300.00 to stay in their homes, and keep their homes warm and their lights on.

Covid-19 – With the help of St. James Food Pantry and the Nurturing Center, we delivered food boxes to the Taos Living Center and other business’s lower paid workers, who were hit hard with Covid-19. We delivered to their homes to encourage appropriate isolation and quarantine for the entire family. We included masks, sanitizer, and education about home isolation. We hoped to help decrease the spread of Covid-19 in our community.

Communication – We now have a system with our 140 families which allows them to reach out to us with their specific needs by texting or phone calls. We also can text  informing them of any programs that could be available for them and help them apply.

Sponsorship of Families –We now have 5 families in our new sponsorship program, referred to us by the schools for those in dire need. We want to give them some security of knowing they will receive a check each month, and give them some steady income to meet some of their monthly needs.

Efficiency – 100% of donations go to helping our clients, quickly and respectfully. They are so appreciative.

Below are actual quotes we have received from those we help with through your generosity.

“Blessings to each of you and your family.”

“Thank you very much, God bless you, they helped me pay my bills, I thank them from my heart, they gave me the most needed day I could also buy milk and diapers for my baby.”

“Thank you very much, I just went to my mail and I already received the check, God bless you, you know that I need it and I am not working hard because I got sick from Covid, I thank you with all my heart, thank you for helping me”

“Hello good morning, I want to thank you, I received the check with all my heart, thank you very much it is very helpful in these times, God continues to bless you”

With the Giving Season is upon us, please consider an end-of-year donation for those in need in our community.

We appreciate every donation and the grants received (Con Alma, Taos Community Foundation, Robert Keeler Foundation, and All Together Grants) .

Thanks for helping our immigrant friends and neighbors.

Have a warm and Happy Holiday season!

— Bea, Wendy, Susann, Del, Jean, Jacob, Colleen, Diana, Jody and Gladys and many helpers.

THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN DONATE TO TIA:

If you do NOT need a tax deduction for your contribution, it is best to make the check payable to

Taos United with TIA on the memo line.  Send all mail to:

Taos Immigrant Allies – P.O. Box 2287  Taos, NM 87571

You can go to our GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/zu6jb-taos-immigrant-allies

TIA is fiscally sponsored by B’nai Shalom Havurah – a 501C(3)

If you desire a tax deduction, please donate by sending a check made out to B’nai Shalom Havurah with TIA in memo line to:

B’Nai Shalom Havura, 810 Dillon Lane, Taos,New Mexico, 87571

Please include your email as well.