Katie Stiel
The Paw Print
Valley-Wide Health Systems and La Puente share a 22nd year history with the Share the Magic Holiday Gala taking place at the Adams State theatre this Friday Nov. 30.
All profits from the event support the programs of La Puente. Adams State University theatre department joined the partnership with Valley-Wide Health Systems and La Puente five years ago and the main attraction for this community wide event became the ASU theatres’ holiday play.
This year the theatre presents Robin Hood. Tickets to the event are sold by Valley-Wide for $100 per ticket and also at corporate rates. Ticket holders are treated to a private reception that includes heavy hors d’ hourves and drinks hosted by Dr. Svaldi and Adams State University from 6 to 7:45 p.m. The play starts at 8 p.m. New this year! Want to Share the Magic with the programs of La Puente, but live off a college budget? We’ve added a raffle this year that could win you and a loved one an all- inclusive, week-long trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Only $10 per ticket, no need to be present at the drawing on Nov. 30 at 10 p.m. to win.
The trip includes: Seven day, all inclusive vacation for two in January or February 2013, non-stop flight from Denver, shuttle from the Puerto Vallarta airport to the resort, an upscale room with 24-hour food service, including specialty restaurants and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, nightly entertainment, and free all non-motorized water sports! To purchase tickets call Isabel Johnson at 588-0414OR 589-1972.
La Puente is able to do so much mainly because of individual contributions and community support. Only 8 percent of our total funding comes from government support. Here are the statistics for how each La Puente Program served our community from August 2011 to July 2012.
Shelter
Provides emergency shelter and welcomes families, migrant farm workers, veterans and individuals above the age of eighteen in need of shelter. Each guest is assigned a case manager as they work to get back on their feet.
The Shelter has 45 beds; accommodations for men, women and families. This year, 115 families were served. Over 11,000 guests signed in to stay overnight. Nearly 40,000 meals served annually to guests and community members.
Outreach
Outreach services provide rental, energy, crisis intervention, medical and prescription, Utility and dental assistance. In the past year, 1,459 families served, totaling 3,840 people. Outreach services provide assistance for the general community, members who are disabled, and individuals with no health insurance.
Food Bank Network
The Food Bank Network of the San Luis Valley spans 13 food banks and serves 1,000 meals each day. Providing a total of 307,247 meals in August 2011 to July 2012. The Food Bank also distributes USDA Commodities Boxes, collects produced through gleaning, and collaborates with the Alamosa Community Gardens. In addition they operate a free clothing resource called Re-Threads.
This past Thanksgiving season, the Food Bank Network successfully fed over 500 families throughout the San Luis Valley.
Alamosa Community Gardens Program
Alamosa Community Gardens (ACG) promotes gardening and teaching nutritional education as a collaborative effort between local schools, non-profits and the community. They provide the community of Alamosa, La Puente’s Food Bank and Shelter healthy produce.
Last year, 1,043 Elementary School Students utilized ACG’s services. Totaling over
4,000 hours of Nutrition and Garden Education.
PALS Children’s Program. Positive Activities Lead to Success (PALS) is a licensed after school, vacation day and summer children’s program. PALS provides positive role models and activities for children (ages 5-9) who experience neglect, domestic violence or may need a structured learning environment.
Last year, PALS served a total of 46 children, and provided 1,000 hours of academic support to PALS at Alamosa Elementary!
Adelante Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Adelante is an extensive two-year program transitioning families from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Families in the program have weekly home visits with their case managers and attend weekly Life Skills classes. While in the program a client must be employed, attend school or complete job training. Clients must also attend counseling and parenting classes while in the program. Adelante enrolled 23 families this past year!
Community Education
Community Education aims to promote understanding of the issues of poverty by building relationships within our community and beyond. This is done through special events, educational campaigns, informational presentations, and political advocacy.
Volunteer Coordination
La Puente relies heavily on completing projects through incoming work group services, and community volunteers. Each year 15-25 full-time AmeriCorps Members from around the world serve as La Puente’s staff for a year or more at La Puente.
Enterprises
All proceeds from Milagros, Hunt Avenue Boutique, and Rainbow’s End (located in Alamosa and Monte Vista) support La Puente’s direct services of benefiting the homeless and hungry in the San Luis.
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