Calvary Church Volunteers Transform Gateway West Entryway, Bringing Community Care to Albuquerque’s Largest Shelter

With paint in hand and a purpose in mind, 15 volunteers from Calvary Church transformed the entryway of Gateway West. Fresh white walls, ceilings, and doors now greet residents at 7440 Jim McDowell NW, with the entry doors, handrails, ramp, and awning finished in a matching turquoise – a color as distinctly Albuquerque as the Sandias at sunset. The result is a space that now feels more like home.

As part of the City of Albuquerque’s ongoing commitment to creating welcoming and dignified spaces for residents experiencing homelessness, volunteers from Calvary Church joined community members and City staff for a beautification project at Gateway West.

When community members are willing to invest their time, talents, and energy in supporting their neighbors, the impact extends far beyond a single project. Volunteers from Calvary Church partnered with the City of Albuquerque Office of Civic Engagement to paint the shelter’s entryway, helping create a more welcoming environment for individuals and families accessing services at Gateway West. Their efforts demonstrate the important role that faith communities and community partners play in helping strengthen Albuquerque’s shelter system and supporting residents on their path toward stability and housing.

Love NM is a community outreach initiative led by Calvary Church and Pastor Skip Heitzig that mobilizes hundreds of volunteers across Albuquerque to address local needs – from homelessness to childhood hunger to disaster relief. The Gateway West project reflects Love NM’s broader commitment to serving people facing the greatest barriers in Albuquerque.

“Gateway West is a place where people are rebuilding their lives. It’s encouraging to see community investment in this way: people showing up with their own supplies and their own time for neighbors they may never meet,” said Charlie Verploegh, Deputy Director of Social Services and Connections for the Department of Health, Housing & Homelessness. “It helps residents know that they are seen and they matter.”

Gateway West operates year-round, 24 hours a day, offering a safe and welcoming environment for men and women experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque. The shelter provides meals, a warm bed, and secure storage for residents’ belongings – and on the coldest winter nights, serves more than 700 people. For many residents, the entryway is the first thing they see when they arrive and the last thing they see when they leave.

“Albuquerque has an extraordinary network of faith communities, nonprofits, and neighbors who don’t wait to be asked twice when someone needs help,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Calvary Church showing up at Gateway West with paint and purpose is One Albuquerque at its best. We are grateful for every volunteer who gave their time to make Gateway West a more welcoming place.”

The event was a collaborative effort supported by multiple City departments, including the City’s facilities team and the Office of Civic Engagement, alongside Richard Gaczewski, Gateway West Coordinator, who worked with Calvary volunteers to get the logistics in place. The painting project joins a growing list of volunteer-driven improvements at Gateway West – including a recently completed dog run built entirely by community volunteers – reflecting the City’s commitment to creating a dignified, welcoming environment for every resident.

This volunteer effort is part of a growing network of service opportunities coordinated through the One Albuquerque Volunteers platform, which connects residents, businesses, faith communities, and civic organizations with meaningful ways to serve. From supporting the City’s shelter system and neighborhood improvement projects to assisting with community cleanups, animal welfare programs, senior services, parks, and special events, volunteers play a vital role in strengthening communities and improving quality of life across Albuquerque.

Community members who want to support Gateway West and the City’s shelter network can learn more about volunteer opportunities at cabq.gov/health-housing-homelessness/volunteer-and-donate/health-housing-and-homelessness-volunteer-program. More information about Love NM’s community outreach programs is available at lovenm.org.

Gateway West is located at 7440 Jim McDowell NW and is part of the City of Albuquerque’s Gateway System of Care. For more information, visit cabq.gov/health-housing-homelessness or call 311.