The Voice of La Puente: Summer 2013

The Voice of La Puente2

The Voice of La Puente is a quarterly publication that is meant to provide readers with a glimpse of day-to-day life at La Puente’s programs by sharing the goals, challenges,

accomplishments and greatest needs of the staff, volunteers and guests. Join our electronic mailing @ www.lapuente.net

La Puente endeavors to meet immediate needs and empowers people to live independently, with dignity.

We provide emergency shelter, food assistance, transitional housing, self-sufficiency services, homeless prevention, community outreach services and job training for the homeless and other community members in crisis.

Become a fan of La Puente on Facebook to stay up to date

on current happenings!

Created and edited by Jacob LaFlammeCover Art by Matt Scavezze

Some names have been changed to protect anonymity. www.lapuente.net [email protected] 719.589.5909

Summer 2013 3

From The Editor

Jacob LaFlamme

In May of 2012, after graduating from Gordon College in Wen-ham, Massachusetts, I had the opportunity to drive out to Ala-mosa, CO and surprise a close friend, and former volunteer, Erica Lawrence. Not knowing much about La Puente, I arrived in Alamosa on May 31st and surprised Erica. We spent the day, (and several of the following days) traveling around the Valley. Impressed by the physical beauty, and laid-back culture of the area, I decided it would be a unique opportunity for me to volunteer for a year for La Puente. I flew home and told my parents that I was moving to Colorado.

In late July, 2012, I arrived to begin serving La Puente as an Americorps member in the Volunteer Coordination and Community Education Office. Aside from this position, I also serve occasionally at some of La Puente’s satellite food banks.

Since I began serving at La Puente, I have been continually amazed by the servant-like attitudes put forth by La Puente’s staff, volunteers and Americorps members. I have also been amazed at the scope of programs and services offered by our organization to the community.

Accordingly, it is a great opportunity for me to be able to share some of La Puente’s stories with you in this newsletter. As the summer arrives in the Valley, sit down, grab a glass of lemonade and enjoy the stories of La Puente.

Shalom,Jake


CONTENTS

PROGRAM STORIES

10

12

14

16

18

22

24

PALS

Shelter

Enterprises

Food Bank

Adelante

VolCom

Outreach

Tosha Stimage

Caroline Iosso

Rich Stepp

Mary Ellen Huss

Nicole Crouch

Alyssa Micek

Sue Miller

ALSO FEATURING:

3

6

20

21

Letter From the Editor

Can You Spare Some Social Change?

Rahkra Mushroom Farm

A Personal Invitation

Jacob LaFlamme

Lance Cheslock

Lance Cheslock

Lance Cheslock

Summer 2013 5

InMayofthisyearacallcametotheCommunityEdu-cationOfficeinformingusthatBonnie,alovedandrespectedmemberoftheLaPuentecommunity,hadbeenthevictimofaburglary.Hisguitarhadbeenstolen,amongotherthings,andhelongedtohaveaninstrumentinhishandstoplayagain.Thisfeltlikeabigdeal.See,Bonniehadbeenpartofthecommunityforquitesometime.Youmightevenrememberhiscool,musiciansstanceononeofourpostersandinpastnewsletters.AmariachimusicianandfixtureoftheLaPuentescene,Bonniewasknownforhismusicandspirit.ToimagineBonniewithoutaguitarwasimpossibleformostwhoknewhim.Additionally,Bonniehadre-centlybeendiagnosedwithterminalcancer.Withhisdaysnum-beredweknewhowimportantitwasforhimtobeabletokeepplayingmusic,aslongashecould.

SoweusedsocialmediabypostingonFacebook.WeaskediftherewasanyoneouttherewhohadanextraguitartheycouldspareforBonnie.Theresponsewasmorethanwecouldhaveimagined.Over2,500peoplesawthepostandover20shareditwiththeirfriends.LaPuentesupportersnearandfarexpressedtheirwillingnesstohelp.AlocalmusicianofferedtobuyanewguitarandadonorfromTexasofferedtoshiponeouttoAlamosa.TheoutpourofsupportendedinalocalfriendofLaPuenteofferinganextraacoustichehad.WegotthedonationandbroughtittoBonnie.HisgratitudeandjoyfilledthespaceofhishumblecamperandtheAmeriCorpsmembersandstaffpresentfeltblessedtobethebearersofthisspecialgift.

Wesharethisstorytohighlightthemultitudeofwayswecanimpactthelivesofthosearoundusandtheextenttowhichacommunityrespondswhenyouarewillingtoask.AndwiththatweaskyoutokeepBonnieinyourprayersashetransitionsoutofthislifeandontothenext.Andthankyoutoallthegenerousfolkswhorespondedsopassionatelytoourcall.

Bonnie’sStoryLares FelicianoCommunity Education Director


Can You SpareSome SocialChange?Lance CheslockExecutive Director

I’mconcernedabouttheepidemicofordinancesbeingpassedacrossourcountrythataimtocriminalizepanhandling.

Allacrossthenation,communitiesarepassinglawsthatprohibit,restrict,orevenrequirelicensesforbeggarsorpanhandlers.Merchantsareworriedthatnearbybeggarswilldiscouragetourismanddetertheircustomerbase.Pedestriansareturnedofforeventhreatenedbytheapproachofabeggar.Parentsworryaboutthesafetyrisksposedtotheirchildren.Now,myowncommunityisconsideringanarrayofrestrictionsforbeggars.

IfeeluncomfortableattimeswhenIencounterapanhandler.AttheendofonehardworkweekIwenttothevideostoretorentamovieformyfamily.NearbyagentlemanIdidnotrecognizewasbeggingformoney.Iinwardlyresentedtheintrusionintomypeacefulevening’sjourney,afteralongweekatLaPuente.

Afterthinkingaboutit,Irealizedthatencounteringabeggarmakesmefeelguiltyaboutmyownwealthandprivilegeinaworldwheresomanyarestrugglingtosurvive.NotawelcomethoughtwhenI’mtryingtorelaxattheendofmyday!

Whatseemsforgotteninallofthisisthatbeggingisoftenanactofdes-peration.Manybeggarsviewitistheirlastresort.Therootsofbeggingare tied to inescapablepovertyanddestitution. Theactofbeggingstartsoutasahorrificindignity.

“Thepoorwillbewithusalways,”wearetold,andbeggingforalmsisasacredanduniversalpracticeasoldashumanityitself.Beingpoorisnotacrime.Andaskingforhelpshouldlikewisenotbecriminalized.Oursociety’ssafetynetisfrailandtenuousforpeoplewhohithardtimes.Sometimes,thefinalsafetynetforsomeoneissimplybeggingforhelp.IcringewhenIthinkthataperson’sbasiclastresortisbeingtakenaway.

Summer 2013 7

WhenItalktosomeoneaboutmyconcernwiththewelfareandrightsofbeggars,theconversationusuallyturnstostoriesaboutallthe“unworthy”folksthatarepleadingforhelp.There’sthepanhandlerthatwasaggressiveorabusive,theonethatusedthemoneytosupporttheiraddiction,ortheonewhowasnotreallythatneedyandusedtheruseofbeing“poor”asawaytomakealotofmoneyoffofpanhandling.Nodoubt,manyofthesestoriesaretrue.

Yet itseemsthatoncesomeonehasreadaboutorexperiencedone“unworthybeggar”story, itbecomessufficientevidence tosolidify thejustificationtonevergivetoanotherbeggar,soasnottobetakenadvantageof.

Allthiscontributestosociety’scriticalregardtowardsbeggars.Theundeservingpanhandlers,ineffect,arestealingfromthosewhohavenochoicebuttobeg.Theyareabusingthesafetynetmeantforothers, thereby cheating thosewith the greatest need. Furthermore,theiractionsinstillacynicismintheheartsofthosewhomightotherwisegive.

Alan livesout in thecountry inanoldmobilehome,andworksoddjobstotrytosupporthiswifeandkids.Theyareaproudfamily,withChristianvalues.Alantriesevery-thinginhispowertofindwork,butsometimesworkisnotforthcoming.Neartheendofaday,Alanwantstobringsomethinghometofeedhisfamily.HewillsitforacoupleofhoursnearWalmart,andholdasignwhichsays“Willworkforfood.”I’vetalkedtoAlanonmanyoccasions.HeknowshecanhaveamealatLaPuente.Heandhisfamilyoftenstopbywhentheyareintown.Hesimplyhopeshissign‘smes-sagewillbringhimafewdollars,perhapstheopportunitytoearnmoney,oragiftofsomefood.Iaskedhimwhathedoeswiththemoneyhereceivesfrompanhandling.Alancommentedthathemaybuyfood,orhemaygetsomegassohecanusehistrucktogettoajob,orsometimesgetmedicineorotherneedsforhisfamily.“Ispenditthesameway Iwouldspendapaycheck.” Alandoesnotdrink or smoke, a concern of pragmatic philanthropists.Whenhe’sattheveryendofhisresources,beggingishisfinalresort.

“He knows he can have a meal at La Puente”


“Helping someone in need is a spiritual act.”

Theintentofgivingtoabeggaristopracticecompassion.

As uncomfortable as it may be, perhaps it is important to havereminders that there are people suffering in our midst, even if weare unable or unwilling to help them. It provides an opportunity forcompassiontotakerootandgrowinasocietysoterriblyafraidofbeingtakenadvantageof.

In Baghdad, a tribal leader named Laila owned a beautiful Arabianhorse.AtribesmanfromaneighboringvillagenamedOmarwaseagertobuythehorse.Heofferedmanycamelsinexchangeforit,butLailawouldnotpartwiththeanimal.ThissoangeredOmarthathedecidedtogetthehorsebytrickery.

KnowingthatLailawouldridehishorsealongacertainroad,he laydownbesidetheroaddisguisedasabeggarwhowasveryill.NowLailawasakindheartedmansowhenhesawthebeggarhefeltsorryforhim,dismountedandofferedtocarryhimtoaninn.

“Alas!”criedthebeggar,“Ihavebeenwithoutfoodfordaysanddonothavetheenergytorise.”SoLailatenderlyliftedthemanontohishorse,meaningtomountafterhim.NosoonerwasthedisguisedbeggarinthesaddlethanhegallopedawaywithLailagivingchaseonfoot,shoutingtohimtostop.AfterOmarhadputasafedistancebetweenhispursuerandhimself,hestoppedandturnedaround.

“You have stolenmyhorse,” shouted Laila. “I have one request tomakeofyou.”“Whatisit?”Omarshoutedback.“Thatyoutellnoonehowyoucameintopossessionofthehorse.”“Whynot?”“Becausesomedayamanwhoisreallyillmaybelyingbetheroad-sideand,ifyourtrickisknown,peoplewillpasshimbyandfailtohelphim.”-AnthonyDeMello

Summer 2013 9

The lateFiorelloLaGuardia,the longtimeNewYorkmayorforwhomtheairportwasnamed,firstservedasapolicejudge.Andtherecamebeforehiscourtonedayasad-eyedmanaccusedofstealingaloafofbread.

Themansaidhe’dhadtosteal;hisfamilyhadnothingtoeat.

AndLaGuardiasaid:Thelawmadenoallowancesforthat;themanwouldhavetopaya$10fine.

ButthenLaGuardiafinedeverypersoninthecourtroom50cents“forlivinginacitywhereamanhastostealinordertofeedhisfamily.”

When the fines were collected, there was enough to pay thedefendant’sfine...withsomechangeleftoverforthenextfewloaves.

Thenexttimeyouencounterabeggar,ifyouwanttohelpandhaveadollar,consideritaspiritualexercise.Practicecompassion.Ifyouhavenothingtogive,don’tavertyoureyes,butofferasmileorahello.Beg-garscanfeeltheyareinvisibleinaseaofpeople.Andifyoudon’twanttohelp,justsayno.GiventhatI’mapanhandlerofsortsforLaPuente,pleaseknowthatitwon’tbetakenpersonally!

To see someone begging should stir up the question,”Why is therepoverty?”Whenconsidered thoughtfully, thereasons forpovertyareenormouslycomplex,encompassingculture,education,birthrights,ge-netics, situational circumstances, personal choices, andmuch,muchmore.Thevictimsofpovertyusuallyonlyhavealimitedperspectiveonhowtheyarrivedintheirstate.Desperationcancloudlogicandunder-standing.Andifadesperatepersonisnotallowedtobegtomeethisneed,thenwillheturntosomethingmoredesperate?

“Andifadesperatepersonisnotallowedtobegtomeethisneed,thenwillheturntosomethingmoredesperate?”


Embracing CommunityTosha Stimage

PALSAllgoodstoriesrequireavillain,anantagonistifyouwill.But..whowantstobethevillain?

EXACTLY....no one! But think of agreat movie you’ve seen, they allcontain tragedies perpetrated byevil.Thisevilcanbefaceless(poverty,misfortune..etc)orembodiedandactedoutinthefleshofaperson.

Let’s face it, evil gives our “good”context.

Weallwant to forgethow‘evil’wearebydoingsomething ‘good’.Wework to diminish our ‘tiny evils’ byfocusingonthebiggerevilsofothers.

JesustoldthePhariseestheywerewhite washed tombs. Beautiful ontheoutside,(decoratedwithflowerskilledtomemorializethepersoninside)butfullofdeadmen’sbones.They,likemyselfandprobablyyou,had become so “good” and suchgreatjudgersofothersthattheyhadforgottenthattheytoowereguiltyofsomeofthesameevilasthepeopletheystoodinjudgmentof.Theyhadforgottentheirhumanity.

Communityisaboutlovingevilpeople.Afterallitistheevilthatjoinsus,makes us all human. Andwiththatourhumanitycomesatalentforfailureandimperfection.

Communityisaboutseeingpotentialinthemostunlikelycandidatesandnot giving up on them. It is aboutsharinginthe“seeminglysmall”vic-toriesofthepeopleyoulivewith.

Ofcoursethefailuresdon’tbecomethe poster children for our notableorganizations.Theirstoriesaren’tof-tenpublishedformailings.Communi-tyiscomplexandtakestime,itisn’talwaysrosy,andfun,youdon’tal-wayslikethepeople,butyouknowtheeffort isnecessary.Communityisn’tassimpleasputtingabunchofhippiestogether,andgivingthemaweekly paycheck, and a scholar-shipto“savetheworld.”That’swaytooeasy.

Summer 2013 11

Communityisaboutembracinghardrealities. Sometimes it’s about as-sumingtheabsoluteworst,andstillworking your butt offwith no patsonthebackinsight.

I have been given the privilege ofworkingatPALSwithchildrenwhosebackgroundsandfamily livesaren’texactlyglittery.Theyaretheforgot-ten.Recently,asagroup,wewerepresentedwiththeopportunitytoputonacircusperformance.

Afterseeingadressrehearsalwiththechildren,theindividualinchargedecided it was best to cancel theperformance.We all got the over-whelming feeling that this decisionwasduetothefactthatthesekids’performance didn’t and wouldn’tmeasure up to the prestigiouscrowdtheywouldperformfor.NowgrantedthisisnoCirquedeSoleil,it’sabunchofkidswhoarejusthappytobekids.Theygettodressinsillycostumes, tumble around on thefloorandtrytheirhardesttoremem-berlinesthatthey’llsurelyforget.

“it’sabunchofkids who arejust happy tobekids...”

Thechildrenofabuseandviolence,thechildrenofpovertyandshame,underachieversbypopularstandardhadthemostfunthatday.Thiswasadaywheretheydidn’thavetoplaytheroleofbigbrotherandDadandmom to their siblings. This was adaywheretheydidn’thavetostopmom and boyfriend from fighting.Thiswas a daywhere they couldbe kids, humans, to get it wrong,buthaveagoodtimetrying.Sowedecidedthatwasgoodenough.


What I’ve come to realize is thatthere is no single understanding ofahomelessperson,therearerarelycutanddrysolutionstoaperson’shomelessness,and thatmostpeo-pledon’tcarethatIwenttoapres-tigiouscollegeon theeast coast—Iam not necessarily a desired sup-portinpeople’slives,noraninspira-tionalexampleofsomeenlightenedlife path. I’ve come to see that therelationships formed between shel-terguestsandmyselfarenuanced,balanced,anddistinct,andthattheirlikelihood to leave the shelter de-pendsonthem,notonme.Astorythat helped me to understand thebeauty of these difficult realizationsandisasfollows.

Thispastfall,Iwasthecasemanag-erforayoungman,Ben,21,andhispregnantwifeJamie,19.Theycameto LaPuentewith hopesof findingworkandmakingAlamosatheirper-manent home. We met weekly todiscuss their progress, goals, lives.Soon,Bengotajobinconstructionandtheywereexcitedlyshowingmetheir sonogram pictures. I felt suc-cessful—as though, with my sup-port,theyweregettingbackontheirfeet.

Thingswentdownhill, unfortunately;despitemyurgings for them tosetupasavingsplanandtothinkprac-tically about renting around town,Benusedwhatlittlemoneytheyhadondrugs.Hedidn’tgetapromotion.Andonenight,Jamierequesteda

TenmonthsagoIarrivedinAlamo-sawithgood-heartedmotives,alotofenergy,andquiteabitofnaivetéabout homelessness and my roleatLaPuenteHome.Inreflectingonmytimehere,IthinkIbeganwithanumberofassumptions—thefirstofwhichbeingthateverypersonwhostayed at the shelter would workhardinobviouswaystochangehisor her situation. The second wasthat Caroline Iosso, an educatedand privileged girl from New York,wouldbe theappropriateguide forallofthesepeople,changinglivesleftandright.

A New StartCaroline IossoShelter

“I’vecometoseethattherelationshipsformedbetweenshelterguestsandmyselfarenuanced,balanced,anddistinct..”

Summer 2013 13

meetingwithme,alone.Shecriedinthebackoffice,pregnant,frustrated,hurt,andlost.TheirrelationshipwasunravelingandBenwasemotionallyabusive. I passed her tissues andtoldherthatifshewantedtomakethechoicetoleavehim,Iwouldsup-portherandwewouldfigureoutawayforhertogetbacktoherfamily.Iwashopefulforherthen,becauseIsawthatshewasawarethatsheandherchilddeservedmore.

I watched as she pretended herbreakdown hadn’t happened, asthey waited out their two monthsattheshelterandthenstayedwithfriends.Iwatchedthemcomebackin formeals, and I knew that Benhadn’t stopped using drugs, and,fromthesad,tiredlooksonJamie’sface, that their relationship hadn’tmended itself. It was an importantlearningmomentforme; I felt that Ihadfailed,butneededtounderstandthattheirlifechoicesweretheirownresponsibility, notmine. Itwas diffi-culttoletgoofthem,but,eventually,theymoved toanother stateand IthoughtI’dneverseethemagain.

ButJamiecamebacktoLaPuenteamonth or two later with a babygirlandwithoutBen,andshewasdifferent. Itseemedthat thesnifflinggirlwho’dletBensquandertheirre-sources had come to her senses,andI’mstillprocessinghowamazingthat is.Thenightshecameback, Ilistenedtohernewplansofgettingincontactwithvarioussocial

services,backinthegoodgracesofhermom,hervisionofherfuture.Itwasstunningtohearhernewfoundstrength, resilience, and sense ofcontrol.Shehadassertedherpowerover her future, and it hadnothingtodowithme. Iwas justhappytobeabletowitnessit,validateit,andsupportherinit.

Withthisstory,I’vebeenabletobet-terunderstandtheimportanceofLaPuenteandofmyownrolehere.LaPuenteHomeisnotaplacebrokenpeoplegotobefixed(muchlessbyyoungidealistslikemyself);rather,itis a placewhere people can taketimetofigureouttheirlives.Iamasinfluenced by the strength of thepeopleImeetattheshelteras

I hope I am an influence of good-nessandgrowthtothem.WatchingJamie strugglewith her relationshiptotheworldwasabsoluteinspirationtome,andIfeelgratefulinmyworkthatsustainsthisplacethatprovidedherwithsanctuary,security,andthemeanstoconfrontherfuture.

“Iwatchedasshepretendedherbreakdownhadn’thappened...”


A Journey RealizedRich SteppManager, Rainbow’s End Alamosa

ItallstartedtwoyearsagorightafterIgotbaptizedinClinton,IA,byFatherPeterSickels.Ifoundmyselfprayinginthebathtubforanadventure.Thenext evening, Father Sickels calledandtoldme“Youknow?AfterJe-suswasbaptized,hewentanddidsignificantworkinthisworld,andwehavebeencalledtogotoAlamosa,COtoaplacecalledLaPuente,ahomeless shelter andmuch, muchmore.” My answer was instantbecause I always acknowledge aprayerbeinganswered.FiveofussoonheadedouttoAlamosa,CO.

In August of 2010, we stayed indormsatalocalchurch,andstart-edourventure. Whenwearrived,we prepared meals at the ShelterandworkedintheCommunityGar-dens.TheseconddaytackedmyheartwhenwespenttheentiredaywithPALShelpingguide, buildandteach these beautiful youngminds.On Wednesday, our day off, weclimbed the sand dunes, and thenventureduptoZapataFalls.

There,afellowgroupmember,ToriLightcap toldmy fiancé,Lacy,andI “I don’t knowwhyyouand Lacydon’t getmarried here.” I immedi-atelyresponded,“canwe?”

Hetoldus“Iwasfortypercentkid-ding,but letmemakesomecalls.”Obviously,thestarsspokethisday,as we drove ninety miles-per-hourback to town to get a marriagelicense.

Theywereclosing,butagreedtoletusin.Again,Godopensdoorsifwejustbelieve.WewentbacktoZa-pataandFatherSickelsmarriedus.

SoourheartsweretiedintheSan-gre de Cristo Mountains. We fin-ishedourmissiontrip,inaweofthiscommunityandtown.

“...we spent the entireday with PALS helpingguide, build and teachthese beautiful youngminds...”

Summer 2013 15

I should add, since 2002, I havebeenseeing thenumber911everymorningandnightandwonderingifitismyhealth,orendtimes?Whyisthisnumberspeakingtome?

WhenIfirstapproachedtheShel-terandsawtheaddressofLaPu-ente’s administration building is 911StateAve,ItoldmyLacy“someday,somehow, we will be here mak-ingadifference.”Needlesstosay,wepackedup,andamannamedDougS.gavethelidofacoffeecupwith his email addressand told ustostayintouch.WeventuredbacktoIowa.

Sixmonthslater,atafamilyreunion,mycousinDougSteelasked,“Haveyou guys ever heard of Alamosa,Colorado?”MyjawandLacy’sjawboth dropped. I told him that wejustgotmarriedthereonamissiontrip.HesaidthathejustboughtnineacresthereandthathewasgoingtomineforgoldforamonthinJuly,andinvitedustogo.Weaccepted.Aswewerepacking,Ifoundthelidthat Doug S gave me, and I said“Lacy,Mycousin’snameisDougS.”Again, itwas justsignaftersignofhowAlamosacalledus.

WecampedoutsideofFortGarlandfor two weeks then up to CacheCreek,eventuallyendingupinLove-land.IwasevenabletomakeacalltoawomannamedPeggyGodfree.She hadwritten us a lovely poemaboutourmarriageatZapata.

Ilookedherupinthephonebook,andwehadamarvelouschat.Shewanted to meet us, however, weagainheadedhometoIowa.Whatanadventure?!

Soon,wefoundourselvesathomeagain. We both wanted to stayin Alamosa, however, we believein God’s will rather than our own.Continuing tosee911, Ikeptpray-inginthatbathtubforpurpose,andtoshowmywifeadifferentpartoftheUS.Severalmonthspasseduntilmy wife happened to check Mila-gros’Facebookpage.Itadvertised,“SeekingMilagrosManager.”

Now I lovecoffee,andafteran in-tensemonthofinterviewsandamaz-ingconversations,withJeffOwsley,itbecameclearthatGod’swillwasfor me to manage the Rainbow’sEndThriftStoreinAlamosa.

Ourdreamwasslowlycomingtrue.On November 30th 2012, we lostallourpossessionsinanapartmentfire.Atthatpoint,deepdown,Iknewsomething was going to happen.AndinbelievinginGodandlove,wepackedourstationwagon,saidalotofemotionalgoodbyes,andmovedto Alamosa. Wewere smiling thewhole drive here, and arrived withtheintenttoserveColorado.

“...itwasjustsignaftersignof howAlamosacalledus.”


The FoodBank RushMary Ellen HussDirector, Food Bank Network

IfyoucalltheAlamosaFoodBank,719-589-4567,atanypointbetween11:45 and 1:00 Monday throughFriday and you get our voicemail,make no mistake. Chances aregoodthatthefoodbankstaff,madeupofAmeriCorpsmembersandfull-time volunteers, are not screeningthecalls,butthattheyaredoingthetasksthatneedtogetdoneduringour,lovinglycalled,rush.

The rushoccurs forabout the firsthourafterweopenMondaythroughFriday.Mostdays,wehavealineoutside of our food bank - some-times starting as early as 10:30.Whileweareopenfrom12-4,ourmornings are spent stocking ourshelves, delivering food supplies tooursatellitefoodpantries,andpick-ingupperishablegroceryitemsfromlocalstores.

Ourfinalpickupinthemorningisatour localWalmart storewherewereceive thewidest variety of items.Because we receive food that isclosetoexpiration,aswellasslightlydentedcannedgoodsanddrygro-ceryitemsthatareoverstocked,we

are never quite sure what we willget. Most days, our pickup fromWalmartcanfillupthebackofour15-passengervan-averagingoutto500poundsoffood.

Rightbeforeweopenourdoors,ourAmeriCorpsmembersandvolunteerstaffarebusysortingoutthedona-tions.Breadandrollsareputontoarackof3threelongshelvesandpastryproductsareputontoa tallshelvingunitaswell.Anysemblanceoforderisusuallyquicklyforgotten-wedon’tgetalotofthesamefooditems,soourstockoftenresemblesthevastchoicesthatarefoundatlo-calgrocerystores.Oftentimes,wereceiveseveraldozeneggs-some-times upwards of 80! If we havetime, thestaffwillgo througheachcarton and remove the broken of-fendingeggthatcausedthecartontobedonatedinthefirstplace.It’samessyandstickyjob!Othertasksto be done include putting awayanyfrozenfooddonationsandfillingup one of our old stand up fridg-eswithanassortmentofmeat,aswellasputtingawaynonperishableitemsdonatedonourshelvessoourclientscanselectwhattheywilluse.

Summer 2013 17

Thelastthingthestaffdoesbeforewe unlock the doors is figure outwhichitemsandinwhatquantitywillgo on our weekly board. As weseeapproximately150familieseachweekwhoselect fromourcannedgoods(whatwerefertoasmonthly)andabout200familieseachweekwho select our weekly system (allperishable food), we have a lot ofpeople coming through our doors.Ourgoalasafoodpantryistogetoutfoodinafairlyequitableandfairsystem. Ourweekly board allowsustodecidewhatwehaveenoughoftoallowforweekly(themorefre-quentuser)system-whether it’s2bread itemsand eggs that day orone bread, one meat, one fridgeitem.SincetheboardisENTIRELYdependentondonations,itchangeseveryday,andeventhroughoutthedaydependingonclientflow.

Thedoorsunlock-oftenalittleafternoon, because it’s hard to get ev-erythingdonewithin fifteenminutes-andwehaveasteadystreamofpeople. For thosewhohavebeencominginconsistentlytotrytofilltheholes in their food needs, the sys-temmakessense.Namesarere-cordedinourcomputerintakesys-temandallclientsareabletoshopfortheirownspecificneeds.Itcanbemadnessup front,makingsurethat everyone is checked in. Ourlobby area really only allows for afewpeopletositdown.

Most people are content to standtheirplaceinlinetoassurethattheyare served in the order that theyhavelinedup.

Typically,forthefirst45minutesofopening,everyvolunteermemberisengagedwithaclient.Whethertheyaredoinganintakeonanewclient,countingupitemsthataclientmayhave chosen or helping somebodyout to theircar, it isour versionofthelunchrushthatrestaurantshave.Often, on busy days, we serveabout 45 households within those45minutes.Oncetherushisoverandthestaffcangetachancetositdown, the shelves and fridges arenoticeablymorebare.Thoseitemsthatwereinexcessatstores,oftenprovidefoodforthefirsthalfofourday.

“Weseeapproximately150familieseachweek...”


Thisisastoryaboutbeinghomelessinreallife.Thisisastoryaboutper-severanceandpersistence.ThisisastoryaboutawomanIamblessedto know. This is a story aboutChristinaandherfamily.

Christina popped up on our radarinthebeginningofNovember2012.Sheintroducedherselftomeduringabrief threeminutephoneconver-sationandexplainedthatherfamilywasstayingattheshelterandthattheshelterhadreferredthemtoAd-elante. I tookdownher informationand told her that Iwasnot sure ifwe had any openings at thatmo-ment,andIaskedhertocallback.And call back she did. She calledseveral times the next week andevenstoppedbytheofficewithherfamily so that she could introduceher familyandherself tous.Afewdays later we invited her and herhusband to interview with us. Welearned that theyhadoriginallybe-comehomeless inDenverandhadstayed in hotels and shelters andhadeventuallycometoAlamosabe-causetheyheardthattheLaPuenteShelteracceptstwo-parentfamilies,whereasmanyof theshelters theyhadstayedinpreviouslyhadonlyletChristina and her two kids stay intheshelter.

Christina’shusbandhadtofindotherplacestosleeponthosenights.

WewereimpressedbyChristinaandherfamily,andweinvitedthemintoourprogram.IstillrememberChris-tina screamingwith happinessas Itoldherthatwehadacceptedthem.Wesoon foundahouse forChris-tina’s family and we helped themfurnishthehousewithhelpfromLaPuente Outreach and Rainbow’sEndMonteVista.Itwasamazingtowatchthemmovefromtheshelter,not having muchmore than someextraclothesandcarseats,tofillingtheirhomewithbedsandputtinguppictureframes.

Overthenextfewmonths, Ibeganto get to know Christina and herfamily.Ialwaysleftourweeklyvisitsthinkingtwothings.Firstly,thattheywerealwaysonthego,alwaysdo-ingthingstohelpthemselvesreachtheirgoals.

A Story of HomelessnessNicole CrouchAdelante

Summer 2013 19

Secondly, that they were hilariousand I was so fortunate that theywouldhavemeastheircaseman-ager.Thingsseemed tobemovingalong well, and Christina and herhusbandwerepreparingtohaveanewbabyinthehouse.

Then one day Christina droppedbytheofficetotellmethatshehadasked her husband to leave for afewdaystocooloff.Shesaidshethoughtthebreakwouldonlylastafew days. Her husband still hasn’tcomeback,ormadecontact.

SothereChristinawas, inahousewithtwokidsunderfiveandexpect-inganotherbabyinafewweeks. Idon’t think that words would evenbegin to describe how rough thattimewasforChristina.Throughitallthough,shekeptherheadup.Shekeptfighting.Sheknewthatshehadtobestrongforherkids.

Christinamadeplans.Sheplannedwho would take care of the kidswhile shewas in the hospital. Sheplannedhowheroldestchildwouldget toschool ifshecouldnot takehim.Shechangedherplansoftak-ingacommunitybusinessclasssothatshecouldtakeitinAugustandstartjobsearchingaftershehadherbaby.Christinamadeplansandshetooktheinitiativetofollowthroughonthem.

Afewweeksago,Christinastruttedinto our office, struck a pose, andtoldusthatshehadjustrockedaninterview.Wewereecstatictohearthat and even more so when wefound out that she had gotten thejob. She is working part-time rightnow,with thehopesofuppingherhours soon. Her three children areallhealthyandbeautifulandgrowingupfast.

Christinaisdoingsowellrightnow.She has just kept moving forwarddespitealltheoddsagainstherandwe have kept supporting and en-couragingher.Theroadaheadwon’tbeeasy,butIbelievethatChristinawill continue to do great things forherselfandherfamily.

“Shekeptherheadup.Shekeptfighting...”

A note about Adelante:

Selfsufficiencydreams,likeChristina’saremadepossible,inpart,throughgenerousdonationsfromtheExcelEnergy


TheRakhraMushroomfarmbeganoperationsin1981and,overtimeex-pandedtonearly300employees,reachingthestatusasoneofthelargestbusinessemployersintheSanLuisValley.Initsearlyyearsinthe80’sandearly90’s,RakhrafoundsuccesswiththehiringofGuatemalanimmigrants,manywhofledtotheUnitedStatestoseekrefugefromtheircounty’sviolentcivilwar.ThesteadyworkprovidedbyRakhrahelpedstabilizeAlamosa’sGuatemalancommunity,andprovidedjobsforotherfolkswhohadastrongworkethic,butlimitedskills.Themushroompickingandpackingjobswerenoteasy,andtherewereperiodswhentheworkingenvironmentatRakhrawasharshandunscrupulous.Overtime,themanagementaddressedmanyof the concerns and developed a stable, workforce with decent wagesthat supportedhundredsof families. Rakhra’sattempt toemergeoutofbankruptcyhasfailed.Itsdoorswillhaveclosedbythetimethisisprinted.ThosejobsmeantsomuchtofamilieswhogaveagoodpartoftheirlivestoRakhra.ManyoftheGuatemalanfamiliesmustmoveorhavealreadyleftthecommunity.TheywillbemissedforthecontributionstheymadetotheSanLuisValley.Wewishthebesttothosewhoaretryingtostayandwillbewithyouinthestrugglesahead.Thankyou,Rakhra,forthejobsthatsustainedhundredsoffamilies.

Rakhra Mushroom FarmLance CheslockExecutive Director

“ToapeoplefamishingandidletheonlyacceptableforminwhichGodcandareappearisworkandpromiseoffoodaswages.” -MahatmaGandhi

Summer 2013 21

This is an official invitation! Wehopethisfinds(presentandpast)friends,

LaPuentevolunteers,co-workers,andshelteramigos.

WewelcomeanyandallwhohaveaspecialwishforLanceandRachael.

Thereceptionis....Saturday,5:00pmJuly27,2013

LaPuenteShelter913StateAve.Alamosa

EnjoythefeastpreparedbyGenevaDuarte,andthemusicofFrankScottandfriends!

Wewantyoutojoinusfromnearandfar!!!!

E-mailustoletusknowifyoucanmakeit,orsendusahello,wish,orblessing!

[email protected]

FindoutmoreinformationatLanceandRachael’swebsite.

http://www.lanceandrachael.ourwedding.com

A Personal Invitation


SinceIstartedservingatLaPuente,thecommunityvolunteerswithwhomIworkhavebecomeaveryspecialpartofmy life.When I thinkof thevolunteers, there are two in partic-ularwho come tomind, that havecomea longwaysincewebeganworkingtogether.EachtimeIplacethem intoanewprogram, theydoanincrediblejob,andIreceiveonlygreatfeedbackfromthestaff.Theyarealwaysmorethanwillingtohelpwith any projects I assign, and al-waysdo themwith smileson theirfaces.Theyalwayshavewonder-ful spirits, which is rarely the casewhenitcomestocommunityvolun-teers,manyofwhomaremandatedtowork.

EveryyearLaPuenteholdsafund-raisertohelpendworldhungercalledCROPWalk.TheeventissponsoredbyChurchWorldServicesandsev-enty-fivepercentoffundsraisedgotohelpothercountrieswhoarefac-ingfoodinsecurity,whiletheremain-ingtwenty-fivepercentgoestowardourlocalFoodBankNetworkhereintheSanLuisValley.

Thisyear,aswithyearspast,therewerealotoflogisticstobecomplet-edonthedayoftheevent.Iaskedthese two volunteers if theywouldbewillingtolayflourdowntoindicatethepathforthewalk.Theyagreedtothetask,andIwalkedwiththemastheylaidtheflourdown.Unfortu-nately, because of thewindy day,we soon ran out of the flour thatwas supposed to cover the entireroute.We began to problem solveandcollectivelycameupwithaso-lution that involvedpickingupaddi-tionalflourfromLaPuenteShelter.

CommunityVolunteersAlyssa MicekVolunteer Coordination

“Webegantoproblemsolveandcollectivelycameupwithasolution...”

Summer 2013 23

Throughout the day, I really got toknow these two community volun-teersonamuchdeeperlevel.Itwasagreatopportunity forme tocon-nectwiththemandithelpedmetoremember thatwe are not all thatdifferent from one another. Thesetwo wonderful volunteers havemade a remarkable team in everytask assigned, whether it’s helpingwitheventslikeCROPWalk,

cookingmealsattheshelter,oror-ganizing clothes at Rainbow’s EndThriftStore.Theyaresodiligentandcreativeineverythingtheydo,andIhavetrulybeentouchedbymyabil-ity to work alongside them. In Au-gust,when I leaveLaPuente, Iwillsincerely miss working with them.Going forward,my hope for thesetwoisthattheyfindsteadyemploy-ment,becausetheytrulydeserveit!

“Theyaresodiligentandcreativeineverythingtheydo...”


Hello,myname isSueMillerand IserveasaMennoniteChurchvolun-teer.ThreeyearsagomyhusbandandIbeganpackingourbelongings,puttheminastorageunitandtrav-eled west to Alamosa, Colorado.Our assignment was working witha nonprofit agency called La Pu-ente Home, Inc.We had been in-terviewed and assigned positionswithOutreach,theFoodBank,andMaintenance.Weprayed for cour-ageasweleftOhiofacingmanyun-knowns:newjobs,newcommunity,newcoworkers,aswellaslivingwithahouseofyoungpeoplewhowerealsointheMennoniteVoluntarySer-viceprogram.

Ourwork beganwith us attendingorientationwith 20-25 other youngvolunteers.Wewere asked to ex-pressourmainfears,and Isharedthata60-year-oldladyworkingwithyoungpeoplewasscary.WouldIbeaccepted?

CouldIkeepupphysically,withtech-nology,withanew job?Anemptychapterofmylifelayaheadofme.

My first daysatOutreach involvedgoingoverfiles,pickingupandde-liveringfurniture,andbeingtheassis-tantformanyothersworkingthere.Wespent somedaysweatherizinghomes,and Isatat the frontdeskand tried to answer clients’ ques-tions. Usually I ended up going toMary Jane,my supervisor, for theanswers to theirquestions. I slowlycaughtonhowOutreachwasabletoassistfamilies.Afterworkingintheoffice several months, I was men-tored by a young woman namedJessie.IlearnedhowtopayenergybillswithEnergyOutreachColoradofunds.

I begin each day with prayer fordiscernment and wisdom. Duringthecoldmonths,itoftengetstobe-30degrees,and Ihave theabilitytokeeppeoplewarm.ThisisafactIdon’toftenforget.

A Volunteer ExperienceSue MillerOutreach

“Ihavetheabilitytokeeppeoplewarm...”

Summer 2013 25

Thefollowingisaspecialstorythattouchedmyheart.Afortyyearoldman,namedRon,cameinwithhissix year old son. Ron had movedherefromColoradoSpringstomakeahomeforhisson.Workwasdif-ficulttofind,sohetookaseasonaljob.WhenthejobwasoverRonap-plied for a custodial positionwhichwasgiventoafamilymemberofthepersondoingthehiring.Ronlookedatmewith tears rushing down hisface,andsaidhefeltlikejobsinthevalley were for those who had anetworking system. However, Ronknew no one from the Valley andwas here only for his son. Theyhadtheirpowerdisconnectedforamonthandowed their energypro-vider$892.00.Theywouldnowlosetheirhomeifourfundsdidnotpaytheirelectricbill.Ronandhissonhadmovedinwithafriend,butbecauseof thefilthy livingconditionswantedtomoveout.WithEnergyOutreachColorado funds, Iwasable topayRon’s bill. They were reconnectedandabletomovebackhome.

Ihavelearnedalotthesepastthreeyears. Mary Jane continually re-mindsustohaverespectforallpeo-ple – no matter their background,outward appearance, or financialcircumstances. Vendors’ kindnesstowardstheirclientshasshownmetheytrulydohavebighearts.Some-timesvendorshelpoutwhenthecli-entcannotpayfortheirproduct.

Therearetwopeoplemyagewhocomefaithfullyeveryweektoworkat Outreach. They have showncommitment, caring and concernforthepeople–theywantthebestforeveryonewhowalksthroughourdoors. My coworkers have shownme optimism, vitality of youth, andwantingtohelpchangetheworldforthebetter.Theyhavehadpatiencewithme,taughtmesomuchabouttechnology, and we have becomegoodfriends. Iamsothankful Ididnotmiss out on this opportunity ofworkingatOutreach.

Moreso,Imaybeabletohelptheclients,but theyhavebeenahugeblessing tome.Themajorityof theclientshaveshownappreciationforhoweverwecanhelp.Nobodyhasthe promise of beingwarm tomor-rowandwedonotknowwhatourfutureholds.Ialwaysrememberthiswhenworkingwithclients:becauseoneday,itmaybemeontheothersideofthedesk.

Would I as a 60-year-oldwoman,work as a full-time volunteer for anonprofitagain?Yes,Iwould.Iwouldalsoencourageanyone, regardlessofage,totrythisexperience.


La Puente ProgramNeedsLa Puiente is only able to offer our services to those in need because of the generous dona-tions that we receive from our supporters.

By donating needed items to La Puente, you allow more of each dollar we receive to go directly to serving those in crisis in our com-munity,

Each program of La Puente is unique, and therefore has its own set of needs. If interested in mak-ing a donation, please contact La Puente’s Administration office at (719) 589-5909.

These donations are tax-deduc-table. Please consider making a donation today!

Shelter:-Diaperssizes4,5,6-HygieneKits-Cookingoil-Spices-salt,pepper,garlic-Powderedlaundrydetergent-Bleach-Liquidhandsoap-Dairyproducts(suchasmilk andcheese)-Alarmforfreezers(3)toprevent lostfoodduetopower outageetc

Outreach-Usedfurniture-Cleanmattresseswithnostains orrips-Newvacuumcleaner-Cleaningsupplies-Splitfirewood-Filingcabinetthatlocks-Handdryer-NEWbackpacksforfallback packdrive-$10gascardsforclients

Administration-VehicleMechanic(tuneupsand repairs)

Summer 2013 27

Volunteer Coordination/Community Education-Storageshedforworkgroup supplies

Food Bank Network-Cleaningsupplies/mopheadsto ensurecleanlinessofFB-Quartsizedandgallonsized plasticbagsforbreaking downbulkitems-Lowsodiumcannedvegetables &fruitcannedinitsown juices

Community Gardens-CordlessDrill-Tablet(Ipad)-KidsbooksaboutGARDEN BUGS&Pollinators!(Lady bugs,butterflies)-Reusableforks(metal)-Bakersrack(s) -HayBales

PALS-Sponsorafull-timestaffvoluteer positionforayear-SponsoraPALSchildforayear-Sponsortheannualfieldtripto DenverMuseumofNature andScience

Adelante-3laptopsforfamilymembers takingcollegecourses-Gasgiftcardsforfamiliestogo toschool&appointments ($10-15increments)-Passesforthefamilyrecreation center/Hooperswimming pool/otherrecreational activities-Monetarydonationstobuilda playground-Diapers-Phonecards(Verizon-$50, Straighttalk-$45)-Diapers-Cars

“Loveonlygrowsbysharing.Youcanonlyhavemoreforyourselfbygivingitawaytoothers.” -BrianTracy


Reduce your taxes by OVER $500 back when you donate $1000

AcontributiontoLaPuentecanprovideyoumuchmorethanthetraditionaltaxdeduction.IfyoupayColoradoStatetaxes,amonetarygiftthroughtheEnterpriseZone(EZ)cannetyouanadditionaltaxcredit.

What is a tax credit?AColoradoStatetaxcreditislikeacheckpayabletotheColoradoDepartmentofRevenue.AsasimplelineitemonyourColoradotaxreturn,thecreditissubtractedfromwhatyouowe,justasifyouwerepayingcash.Evenifyounev-erusedeductions,onyourtaxreturn,thetaxcreditwillhelpyou.Whenthe25%Coloradotaxcreditiscombinedwiththeimpactoftaxdeductions,thetaxsavingsaresizable!

Example:Donation=$1000 EZtaxcreditvalue: $25025%Ifyouitemizeyourdeductions: Federaltaxsavings $28028% Coloradotaxsavings $464.6%

Yourpotentialsavings/taxreductionis$576 57.6%

Theactualcostofyour$1000giftis$424

Here’s what you do: -Giftsmustbeaminimumof$100 -Makeyourcheckoutto:TheEnterpriseZone.” -DesignateLaPuenteinlowerleftcornerofcheck -Wewillsendyouacertificateoftaxcredittobeusedon yourtaxreturn!

LaPuente’sservicesareeligibleforthiscredittoanypersonorbusinessthatpaysColoradoStateIncometaxes.Thecreditcanbecarriedoverupto5years.Thecreditcanbeusedevenifyoudon’titemize.Forotherquestions,pleasecallLaPuenteat719589-5909

New in 2013:ThePALSchildren’sprogramiseligiblefora50%statetaxcredit.Pleasecallforfurtherinformationonthisspecialcredittoassistouryouth!

ENTERPRISE ZONE ANDCHILD TAX CREDIT

Summer 2013 29

A gift designated to La Puente’s Legacy Fund will provide on-going support for the provision of emergency food and shelter through La Puente’s diverse services. The principle amount of each fund contribution will not be touched, and through investment, the interest gained from the gift will help afford critical services for the years ahead.

Consider writing a clause in your will or trust that identifies “La Puente Home, Inc.” as a beneficiary to any portion of your estate. Mention your intention to direct your gift towards the La Puente Legacy Fund.

This is a simple way to arrange for a significant gift in sup-port of our service to others, while leaving you in control of your assets during your lifetime.

A gift card acknowledgement will be sent to the family you are honoring with a rememberance gift. Call Lance at 589-5909 for more information.


Want to Volunteer?PleasevisitLaPuente’sWebsite(lapuente.net/vol.php)orcallthe

VolunteerCoordinationoffice(719)-587-3499formoreinformationifyouareinterestedinservingthrough

LaPuente’sVolunteerServices:

Full-Time Volunteer:Duringayearofservice,Full-TimeVolunteersandAmeriCorpsMemberswork40-60+hoursaweekobtainingfirsthandexperienceworkingatanonprofitorganization.

Community Volunteer:Acceptsallagesandabilitiesvolunteerforone-time,weekly,ormonthlyintervalsatmanyoftheLaPuenteprograms.

Work Group Service:GroupscomeforashorttimefromallacrosstheUnitedStatesinordertoworkwithLaPuenteonspecialprojects,tosupporteverydayactivitiesandtoengavgeinservicelearning.ThisassistanceaidsLaPuenteinprovidingservicesthataregreatlyneededintheSanLuisValley.

Summer 2013 31

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,Where there is hatred, let me sow love;Where there is injury, pardon;Where there is doubt, faith;Where there is despair, hope;Where there is darkness, light;Where there is sadness, joy.O Divine Master,grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;to be understood, as to understand;to be loved, as to love.For it is in giving that we receive.It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.Amen.

Prayer of Saint Francis

Summer 2013 1

NonprofitOrganization

U.S.PostagePaid

Alamosa,CO81101

PermitNo.27

P.O.Box1235

Alamosa,CO81101

Changeservicerequested

The Voice of La Puente: Summer 2013

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Transcript of The Voice of La Puente: Summer 2013