In coordination with the local faith-based community organization, NM CAFé, City Councilors Kasandra Gandara and Johana Bencomo will host the second of a series of conversations with local clergy and faith leaders on the issue of homelessness at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 30, 2022 at City Hall, 700 N. Main St.
The first meeting, on May 26, 2022, primarily focused on value setting, identifying gaps, concerns, and questions the faith community had regarding the current landscape surrounding homelessness. The group committed to continue meeting and brainstorming possible ways the faith community can make a collective impact in the City’s efforts to reduce homelessness.
Thursday’s meeting will include a presentation on an online referral program that was a topic of discussion during the last meeting. Additionally, to better understand the current landscape, clergy will be able to ask questions directly to service providers who currently work on serving the unhoused community through a panel discussion. Lastly, faith leaders will begin a discussion on other faith-led models of service from across the country that could be adopted in Las Cruces.
Councilors Gandara and Bencomo will continue hosting these meetings until the faith-based group establishes a formal decision-making process for moving forward together. The two councilors also are committed to finding any needed resources that the multi-faith group identify as needed for being successful in their efforts.
Clergy from all faith and spiritual backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to attend. For information, faith leaders can contact Reverend Carolyn Wilkins at revcarolyn@organizenm.org.