City Spends Weekend Prepping Kids for School
Four events across three days gave students gear, haircuts, and a reminder that their community cares
Over the last weekend of July and into August, the City of Albuquerque’s Department of Health, Housing & Homelessness (HHH) didn’t slow down – it showed up. Across four community events in three days, HHH and a wide network of allies reached hundreds of families with back-to-school supplies, health and social services resources, haircuts, and hands-on support to make sure every child starts the new school year strong. Each event was different, but the theme was the same: This community cares.
“Going back to school is always a big deal. For families facing barriers, it can feel overwhelming,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “What our HHH team did this weekend was make sure no one had to face that alone. Backpacks, haircuts, supplies – all of it matters and adds up to a city that genuinely cares about its kids.”
“This weekend was a reflection of the people in this department and the partners they’ve built real relationships with,” said HHHH Director Gilbert Ramírez. “Hundreds of families served, dozens of organizations at the table – that doesn’t happen without a team that is deeply committed to this community. I couldn’t be prouder of the heart that drives this department and of everyone who showed up alongside us.”
Friday, July 31 – Community Health & Social Services Fair | Dede Feldman Los Griegos Health & Social Services Center
The weekend kicked off Friday morning at the Dede Feldman Los Griegos Health & Social Services Center at 1231 Candelaria NW, where HHH hosted a Community Health & Social Services Fair from 9 am to noon. The Dede Feldman center is one of four HHH Health & Social Service Centers across Albuquerque – each serving as a neighborhood hub where any resident, regardless of income or circumstance, can walk in and get food assistance, utility and rental support, eviction prevention, healthcare navigation, and connections to a wide range of community resources.
More than 100 residents attended the free event, which brought together a wide network of health and social services providers for a morning of resource connection, hands-on activities, and community. The Gold Club donated 100 backpacks – up to two per family. The Parks & Recreation Department brought a rock climbing wall. Sagebrush Church operated a mobile clothing bank. Esperanza Bicycle Safety Education Center ran a Bike Rodeo. Participating organizations included NM Health, AMI, USBC, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico, The Arc New Mexico, Barrett Foundation, Salvation Army, UNM Health, GRANM, Orange Food Project, ECHO Albuquerque, Helping Seniors, and more.
Friday, July 31 – Gateway Family Resource Fair & Back-to-School Event | Gateway Family
Also on Friday, Gateway Family – the City’s supportive housing center for families experiencing homelessness, operated by Youth Development Incorporated – hosted a resource fair and back-to-school event for the families in residence. Gateway Family is part of the City’s Gateway System of Care, a coordinated network of shelter, housing navigation, behavioral health, medical sobering, and supportive services that together form Albuquerque’s most comprehensive response to homelessness. Gateway Family specifically serves families with children, providing a place to stay, meals, and individualized case management support as parents work toward permanent housing.
Forty families attended the fair, representing more than 100 parents and children. Fifteen partner organizations set up on-site to connect parents with resources supporting their path toward housing, while children received school supplies, backpacks, and clothing items courtesy of HHH and YDI to make sure they are ready for the school year ahead. The weekend of support continued into Sunday, when volunteers provided complimentary haircuts for children at Gateway Family – one final touch to make sure every kid walked into the first day of school feeling their best.
Participating partners included HHH Health & Social Service Centers, the HHH Gateway System of Care, YDI ACEs and Street Outreach Programs, Birthright, Carelink NM, Barrett Foundation, La Luz Family Center, Choice Recovery Path, State of the Art Healing, Pasitos Traviesos Childcare, Mrs. New Mexico, Goodwill, Department of Workforce Solutions, Bella Vista Baptist Church, and APS McKinney-Vento.
Saturday, August 2 – Back-to-School Donation Drive | Gateway Center
On Saturday, HHH’s Homeless Innovations Division hosted a back-to-school donation drive at the Gateway Center at 5400 Gibson SE – the hub of the City’s Gateway System of Care and home to shelter, medical sobering, medical respite, housing navigation, and first responder receiving services that together serve hundreds of people every day. Community members contributed more than 30 donations alongside a large box of assorted back-to-school supplies, a heartening show of generosity from Albuquerque neighbors who wanted to make a difference for families heading into the new school year.
But the community support doesn’t stop there. The Albuquerque Press Club, in partnership with HHH, is still collecting writing supplies for children at Gateway Family through August 9. Items sought include pencils, pens, erasers, highlighters, notebooks, and more. Donations can be dropped off at the Press Club at 201 Highland Park Circle SE (open daily, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.), at any City Health & Social Service Center (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.), or at the Gateway Center at 5400 Gibson SE. A full list of needed items is available at the Gateway Family page
Those who want to support HHH’s work with families and children can learn more about volunteer and donation opportunities at HHH Volunteer Program page.
For more information about the Department of Health, Housing & Homelessness and its programs, visit the HHH page or call 311.