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Let’s face it, Thanksgiving week can be pretty unbearable for many of us. Aside from sharing a meal with friends and family, this week also comes with wild-eyed shoppers ready to trample each other over marked-down electronics. Every year The Paper. does its best to rise above the murk and mire and highlight some of our favorite charitable organizations so readers who are in the giving mood might consider…well, giving. This year we asked the staff of our sister publications — City Desk ABQ, The Independent News, the Sandoval Signpost and the Corrales Comment — to share their favorite nonprofits and why they love them so much. Hopefully you’ll consider throwing a few bucks their way.
Animal Humane New Mexico (Submitted by Devin O’Leary, calendar editor)
I love animals, and I know how lucky we are to have Animal Humane in Albuquerque. They have some beautiful facilities for before, during and after adoption. My dog, Akira, went to doggie day care and took training classes at the organization’s main campus on Virginia Street. They also organize the popular Doggie Dash & Dawdle every year and run a fantastic thrift store on Menaul Boulevard. You can donate money, pet supplies or volunteer/foster time.
Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico (Submitted by Michael Hodock, reporter for The Paper. and The Independent News)
For 77 years, Catholic Charities has extended an opportunity for people to donate their money, food and time to improve personal opportunity — especially during the holidays. But in recent years, Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico has extended its mission statement to include finding solutions to social challenges for individuals and families, “regardless of race, religion, country of origin, disabilities, gender, age or sexual orientation.” Today they also provide access to immigration legal services.
Citizen Media Group (Submitted by Pat Davis, owner and publisher of Ctrl + P Publishing)
New Mexico’s newsrooms have lost an estimated 24% of just 276 journalist positions since the state’s Department of Workforce Solutions began estimating employment in 2022. Working in that news gap, Citizen Media Group is a New Mexico-nonprofit that helps create new nonprofit news options — like the startup City Desk ABQ — available for free to readers and placing new journalists in newsrooms to learn how to cover public officials and keep them accountable.
Joy Junction (Submitted by Jesse Jones, reporter for the Sandoval Signpost and the Corrales Comment)
Joy Junction is a nonprofit, faith-based ministry offering food, shelter, clothing, counseling and transportation to homeless individuals and families in Albuquerque. My wife and I have been donating to them for years. There is a Joy Junction Thrift Shoppe at 11030 Menaul Boulevard NE.
La Casa, Inc. (Submitted by Elizabeth McCall, reporter for City Desk ABQ)
La Casa, Inc. is a domestic violence service provider in southern New Mexico that serves anyone affected by domestic violence in Doña Ana, Luna and Hidalgo counties. La Casa has a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelters, long and short-term housing, case management and immigration services. Within the last year, the organization has helped more than 600 domestic violence survivors find shelter and more than 1,000 with crisis assessments.
Lutheran Family Services (Submitted by Tierna Unruh-Enos, chief operations officer for Ctrl + P Publishing)
Lutheran Family Services is one of two main charitable organizations in Albuquerque that helps refugees and asylum seekers who have fled war and persecution to live in this country in hopes of a better life. Their work in the community with refugees of all faiths and nationalities helps to build self-sustainability.
New Mexico Voices for Children (Submitted by Rachel Mills, art director for Ctrl + P Publishing)
With nearly a decade of experience as an early childhood educator and as a mother, I deeply empathize with children and believe that all children are our children. They are the most vulnerable members of our society and are particularly susceptible to the effects of poverty and hardship. Providing support at a young age has a profound and lasting impact on their lives. This is why charities and non-profits that work to protect these little innocent souls are extremely important. I’ve chosen New Mexico Voices for Children because they work to improve the lives of children through promotion of public policy and advocacy.
New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (Submitted by Andy Lyman, editor for The Paper. and City Desk ABQ)
I’m what the kids would call a stan for the Foundation for Open Government. Their staff is always quick to answer calls from anyone who has questions or concerns about government transparency. I’m proud to say I’m a supporter of NM FOG, but I was also lucky enough to work as an intern there early on in my journalism career. Whether it’s a sternly worded letter or a better understanding of the state’s Inspection of Public Records Act, NM FOG has you covered.
Recovery NM (Submitted by Kevin Hendricks, editor of The Independent News, the Sandoval Signpost and the Corrales Comment)
Recovery NM is a non-profit organization dedicated to making substance abuse treatment accessible to all New Mexicans who need help. Co-founders Sean Roberts and Gary Gamboa are working hard to help people overcome financial barriers to get the help they need. Addiction has hurt so many families, including my own, and Recovery NM wants to ensure that no one is denied treatment because of financial limitations.
Roadrunner Food Bank (Submitted by Mo Charnot, reporter for City Desk ABQ)
Roadrunner Food Bank’s work in distributing food to other assistance organizations across the state is vital to fighting food insecurity in New Mexico. They also host several programs to aid children, families and seniors through disaster relief, health and wellness, SNAP benefits outreach and a mobile food pantry. The nonprofit distributes more than 34 million pounds of food every year, and small donations go a long way, with $1 helping Roadrunner distribute up to 5 meals.