[Neighbors] Update on NHNA work

[Meta Hirschl]

Nob Hill Neighborhood Association Supports the Unhoused

Baratunde Thurston’s podcast, How To Citizen, reminds us that citizenship
is an action, not just a status. Beyond voting, we must work, volunteer,
and contribute to our community and democracy. Each day, we should ask
ourselves, "What can I do to make our lives better? What is my role as a
citizen?"

On May 1st, neighbors from the Nob Hill Neighborhood Association (NHNA)
gathered to explore how we could actively “citizen.” We met with community
organizations supporting the unhoused, including representatives from
Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS), UNM Echo, the City, and City Councilor
Nicole Rogers.

Our goal was to find hands-on work to alleviate the suffering and despair
we witness on our neighborhood streets. Here’s what we decided:

Our Immediate Action

We were encouraged to contact the City Council to support funding for ACS.
We sent emails and letters to City Councilors, and attended meetings, both
in person and remotely, to voice our support. Notably, Nob Hill resident
Pat Hirschl, 91 years young, spoke to the City Council in support of ACS
funding on May 20th.


[image: A group of people in a meeting Description automatically generated]

The City Council voted to support ACS, with members acknowledging the
numerous emails and phone calls they received in support. Thank you, NHNA!


Our Longer Term Action

The ACS Division Manager Walter Adams and his team suggested that hygiene
kits with basic personal supplies are crucial for the unhoused, and they
currently lack enough of them. Rev. Dr. Dawn Rosignol, pastor of Monte
Vista Christian Church, has experience assembling hygiene kits through
their youth program. Rev. Dawn and Meta Hirschl are co-leading this effort.


We decided to host events to assemble hygiene kits for ACS to distribute,
and for neighbors to distribute directly. The kits include items such as
sunscreen, chapstick/lip gloss with sunscreen, toiletries, tampons/pads,
socks, tuna fish pouches, fruit cups, and a note of encouragement.


Additionally, we were invited to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the new ACS
building, which all residents of Albuquerque were invited to attend.



In front of the new ACS building: ACS staff Jenny Carian, and neighbors Pat
Hirschl and Bob Davis.


Here is more about Jenny:


Jenny grew up in Zuni Pueblo and holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare
Administration. She worked for five years as a Certified Nursing Assistant
before spending over 10 years in healthcare administration, primarily at
Presbyterian Hospital. Jenny comes to ACS from Ambercare Hospice where she
was the We Honor Veterans Coordinator.


Here is more about ACS:

ACS Mission: To provide Albuquerque with a holistic,empathetic, and
informed response to behavioral and mental health 911 calls.

Response are personalized ot that of the individual, family, and community
so that ACS can bring “The Right Response at the Right Time”


ACS Vision: Any person can call for help and get a purposeful, humane and
appropriate response.”

   -

   ACS is a national leader in alternative public safety responses, serving
   our community’s most vulnerable.
   -

   In just over two and a half years, ACS has handled over 67,000 service
   calls, with 80% diverted from police, showcasing effective community-based
   safety interventions.
   -

   Other cities look to ACS as a model for developing similar programs.


Another longer term goal the group discussed was to promote the building
of  Accessory Dwelling Units
<https://www.cabq.gov/planning/accessory-dwelling-unit/accessory-dwelling-units-adus-faqs>
(ADUs)
in our community for those who are interested in this approach.


More to come, keep on the lookout for ways to volunteer.

Meta.

Meta Hirschl
*There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there
must never be a time when we fail to protest.* -Elie Wiesel
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