OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
MARCH 2026
by Carolyn Ajie
We’re excited to introduce a new section of Mirehaven News dedicated to the service-oriented groups that help make our community such a vibrant, caring place. Each month, Our Neighborhood will feature updates from one or more of the following groups: Neighbor 4 Neighbor (N4N), Neighborhood Food Project (NFP), Neighborhood Watch (NW), and Mirehaven Gives Back (MGB).
These groups reflect the best of who we are—neighbors supporting neighbors, lending a hand, and strengthening the connections that make Mirehaven home. Our goal with this new section is to keep you informed, highlight the great work happening all around us, and inspire you to join in the spirit of community that’s alive and well here.
So many of you give your time, energy, and heart to helping others. Our Neighborhood will shine a light on those efforts in our community and offer easy ways to get involved, whether you’re looking to volunteer, stay informed, or simply cheer on the good work your neighbors are doing.
We hope you enjoy this new addition to Mirehaven News. We look forward to sharing the stories that make our community strong.
Three Worthy Charities
By Teresa Reinard
Mirehaven residents at charities' presentations
February 12, 2026. About 60 residents heard representatives from three local Albuquerque charities pitch their organizations for Mirehaven Gives Back (MGB), our community charitable organization. By the time you read this, the community will have voted for the one charity to be the focus of MGB throughout 2026 for the annual fund raising campaign. However, each charity is worthy of your consideration for your individual support. We highlight them here.
CasaQ Executive DirectorShannon Darrell
CasaQ provides a haven for Queer and Trans Youth. Their private home shelters up to eight youths, ages 14 – 17 years of age, while five studio apartments provide transitional living for those 18 – 22 years of age. Youth are referred by Child and Youth Protective Services and by word of mouth. It is the only long-term shelter in Albuquerque for queer and trans children and young adults, many of whom have been rejected by their parents and turned out of their home. They learn life skills, receive education, and are provided emotional support with the goal of reducing homelessness and imparting value as human beings. CasaQ would like to expand their program to provide additional studio apartments to accommodate more young adults. Contact Shannon Darrell, Executive Director, at 505-600-2016 or shannon@casaq.org for information on how to donate.
Executive Director (right) and Barbara Gutierrez of Native Health Initiative
Native Health Initiative provides information regarding career opportunities to Indigenous Youth, specifically focusing on medical professions. They host a 9-month mentorship program to meet medical providers and engage in skills-based activities related to health professions. Youth are paired with a mentor to job shadow to learn what a typical day in a health profession entails. An estimated 27% of mentees are first generation college students. Native Health Initiative would like to extend stipends to 50 students who need funding to attend the program, as well as hiring a coordinator to analyze program metrics to assess outcomes. Contact Lesley Meyer at lesley@lovingservice.us or Barbara Gutierrez at barbara@lovingservice.us for information on how to donate.
Silver Horizons Executive Director Ron Hildalgo
Silver Horizons provides senior citizens, veterans, and their family members assistance with groceries, utility bills, vet bills, and minor home repairs to ensure they are safe and secure within their homes and apartments. Founded in 1980, Silver Horizons serves those who are living below the poverty level, many who are close to eviction. An average of 6,200 seniors are served monthly by the mostly volunteer force. Silver Horizons would like to replace at least one of three food delivery vans which have between 175,000 and 350,000 miles of road wear and tear. They are also looking for additional volunteers to support their mission. Contact Ron Hildalgo, Executive Director, at 505-800-1400 or ron@silverhorizons.org for information on how to donate.
UPDATE: Silver Horizons is the MBG 2026 charity.
NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD PROJECT KICKS OFF WITH A HUGE COLLECTION
by Cathy Carter
February 14, 2026. The Mirehaven Neighborhood Food Project (NFP) kicked off today with contributions from more than 120 residents. Twelve coordinators picked up green bags full of nonperishable food from the homes of each donor for whom they were responsible. After a check-in stop at the Amenity Center, the coordinators joined a caravan of vehicles to deliver the bags to the Rio Grande Food Project, the selected organization that the community is supporting. NFP Director Kim Hafermalz organized the pickup and delivery with great success.
Lisa Fernandez, Operations Director at the Rio Grande Food Project, said that they serve a diverse population, including single parents, grandparents raising grandchildren, veterans, and others. “We don’t turn anyone away,” she said. “The first dropoff was 1,748 pounds,” she said. Hafermlz said that amount equates to about 1,457 meals. When asked about the best items to donate, Fernandez said to focus on food. She said canned vegetables are always a plus. She puts together meals like spaghetti and soup for the distributed boxes. If they do not have enough food, Fernandez goes to Costco and purchases items like canned vegetables and canned chicken so “Variety from our community is very helpful,” she said.
Donors will collect more food for new green bags to be picked up on April 11. Anyone who did not participate in this delivery is welcome to join the group for the next one. Send an email to kim.5rmalz@gmail.com to become either a donor or a coordinator. Coordinators are assigned groups of donors and pick up filled green bags on the second Saturday of every other month between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.
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