The Albuquerque Opportunity Center (AOC) men’s emergency overnight shelter was featured in a piece by the Albuquerque Journal highlighting organizations working to address root causes of homelessness. Along with Crossroads for Women, a nonprofit that serves to empower women emerging from incarceration, the AOC shelter was profiled with mention of our 24/7 Respite Care program and the Westside Emergency Housing Center.

“Our goal is to provide a place for individuals to get off the street, have a safe place to sleep, access showers and laundry, and provide secure storage for personal items and medication,” he said. “We also provide case management for people who want it, with housing being the end goal.”

 

The Albuquerque Opportunity Center, and the larger and more remote Westside Emergency Housing Center, which is open during the colder winter months, are both operated by Heading Home, a New Mexico nonprofit that provides emergency and permanent supportive housing services to people experiencing homelessness.

 

More than 800 individuals and family members have been placed in permanent supportive housing since the Heading Home initiative started in 2011. The AOC shelter has connected men to housing and resources since 2004 and annually serves more than 600 individuals. It has helped more than 1,900 men transition into housing, Aragon said.

Hats off to our amazing staff whose hard work enable the AOC campus to run like a well-oiled machine! Read more about the AOC Campus, here. For the full Journal article, click here.