OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
May 2026
Mirehaven Neighborly Groups Have a New Website
April 20, 2026. Linda Love designed a new website, https://www.mirehavencares.com that has pages for Neighbor 4 Neighbor, Neighborhood Watch, Neighborhood Food Project and Mirehaven News. When you think you remember an email or Facebook post about any of these groups, but you can't find it go to the website for current information on the above groups. It is easy to remember because Mirehaven Cares.
Helping Seniors in New Mexico
by Cathy Carter
April 11, 2026. The Mirehaven Neighbor Food Project (NFP) today spread across the community to pick up green bags laden with toiletries and non-perishable food products for needy seniors and vets in Albuquerque. Today’s collection was given to Silver Horizons, the 2026 Mirehaven Gives Back charity.
Ron Hidalgo, director of Silver Horizons, brought a van to the Sandia Center parking lot. After the NFP Coordinators completed their pickups the contents of the bags were sorted and loaded into the van.
When asked what it is like partnering with Mirehaven, Hidalgo said, "This is awesome because there are so many seniors that are forgotten. They live in isolation. They don't have enough food to eat. And so, by donating groceries, we will be giving to folks who just aren't making it. And a lot of the people we serve never thought they were going to need help. They thought they had savings. They had a pension. And then life happened and suddenly they were wiped clean. And they are barely making it day to-day. So this is very good. Very helpful.”
Dropoffs at the Sandia Center
What residents think about participating in this project
What you think about this project?
"Love it. I love it so much. And I am going to give Kim Hafermalz more credit than ever for organizing it. And it's one more sign that our neighborhood is the best."
Tell me what you think about this project.
"Oh, I think it's amazing. This is so awesome. I love being able to help other people. It's great that the community is so generous. You know, every house we showed up had multiple bags, not just one bag. They're very, very generous."
What do you think of this project?
"It's just so easy. That's the nice thing. That's why everybody's participating. I think because it is easy. Put it in the bag."
For those who participated in this month’s pickup, a giant THANK YOU!
If you are not yet participating in the project, it is one of the easiest things you can do to help those less fortunate than you. Send an email to kim.5rmalz@gmail.com with your address and contact information to sign up. Instsructions will be provided for the next pickup on June 13.
Serving Our Community
by Cathy Carter
Carolyn Ajie speaking to the group
By Tena Jones
April 11, 2026. The Neighbor for Neighbor Interet Group convened its quarterly CoffeeTime today at the Amenity Center to bring members and others up to date about group activities and to encourage possible members to join. In addition to a presentation by Carolyn Ajie, the group leader, there were two other presentations.
Policing the northwest region
Anita, a resident and a participant in various Northwest Region safety and police organizations, talked about the Community Policing Council, of which she is a member. The Council is an organization that operates under the Albuquerque Police Department. She said its role is to promote accountability in the Albuquerque police force. The Council makes recommendations to the Albuquerque Police Department that can help them. She encouraged anyone who wants to help the Department to please join them.
She also provided information about the Smart911 app that allows the user to input information that will be provided to 911 operators.
Protecting yourself from identity theft
John Newell, Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, presented information about staying safe from identity theft. He has a six-step plan for protecting your personal information which includes accepting that personal information is on the Web and taking steps to keep it from going further. Some steps are requesting your credit report from the three credit agencies, being careful about passwords, and even freezing your credit reports.
John also announced that he is stepping down as Coordinator for the Neighborhood Watch in June and urged someone to take up the position in his place.
Helping one another
Carolyn Ajie gave a brief overview of the role of Neighbor 4 Neighbor in the community. She explained that the organization is a Mirehaven interest group that provides short-term help.
Neighbor 4 Neighbor is organized into service teams, she explained. The teams are available to provide short-term support to anyone in Mirehaven. The teams include the Card Team, the Meal Train, Pet Care Team and more.
Ajie emphasized that a resident does not need to be a member of the group to receive help. Anyone who lives in Mirehaven, she said, can use the services. However, she encouraged non-members to sign up and gave instructions on how to do so.
Coffee Time audience listening to APD NW Area Command respresentative
by Kim Hafermalz
Neighbor 4 Neighbor: ABQ Senior Affairs presentation
By Kim Hafermalz
April 16, 2026. Neighbor 4 Neighbor sponsored a presentation from the City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs during their regular monthly meeting. All residents were invited, and about forty attended.
Amy and Melissa, the department representatives, explained their mission is to provide resources with care and compassion that help our community thrive while embracing aging. They then took turns giving the audience an overview of the multitude of senior programs the department manages.
Transportation Program for individuals 60 years and older: Monday-Friday, 505-764-6464
- Medical Appointment Transportation:
- This service must be scheduled seven days in advance. Call when ready to return home by 5:00 p.m.
- On-Demand Transportation for errands:
- This service must be scheduled three days in advance. Return rides must be scheduled within two hours of initial pick up.
- Meal Site Transportation:
- Seniors can request a daily pick up from their homes to Los Volcanes Senior Center. Seniors can also request pickup through Los Volcanes when they make their reservation for lunch 24 hours in advance. Call 505-767-5999.
Social Services: Monday-Friday, 505-764-6400
- Information and Assistance:
- Information and referral specialists will personally connect you to community resources and services for seniors.
- Case Management:
- Case management coordinators visit you in your home to assess your needs and connect you to services and resources. They determine your eligibility for services for Home Delivered Meals, Homemaker Respite Care, Adult Day Service, and the Senior Companion Program.
- Home Services:
- The Home Services team provides a variety of home chores, minor home repair and home retrofit services.
Silver Alert: 505-764-6400, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The city helps loved ones be prepared if a person with dementia or other cognitive issues wanders off. They provide a free portable USB drive and help with storing a recent photograph, description and important medical information the police will need.
Go to https://www.cabq.gov/seniors for a complete list of services and important phone numbers.