State of New Mexico Homeless Services Event at New Mexico State Library
For Immediate Release
January 15, 2020
State of New Mexico Homeless Services Event at New Mexico State Library
(Albuquerque, NM) – On Friday January 17, 2020 from 11am – 3pm three state agencies will be providing services for the homeless at the New Mexico State Library located at 12096 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM 87507. Taxation and Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division’s Mobile Unit will assist individuals obtain a Driver’s License or ID, Department of Health will provide birth certificates and flu shots, and the Department of Workforce Solutions will assist in job search services.
The Interfaith Community Shelter, which operates the Pete’s Place facility for homeless neighbors across the street, has been proactively registering people who need these services.
The loss or theft of ID’s is one of the common problems heard from the homeless community and this effort will be the third in New Mexico after two were held last year in Albuquerque and Las Cruces. Each process will cost $10 for the birth certificates and $10 for an ID. The first 50 applicants will be covered by $100 donations from Santa Fe’s legislative delegation organized by Representative Linda Trujillo that also include House Speaker Brian Egolf, Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, Senator Nancy Rodriguez, Representative Christine Chandler, Representative Andrea Romero, and Representative Jim Trujillo. Workforce Solutions Secretary Bill McCamley is also contributing $100.
“Having a driver’s license or state ID is something most of us take for granted, but if you’ve ever lost your license, you know how difficult life can be without one,“ said Taxation and Revenue Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke. “For anyone without a permanent address, obtaining a license or ID can be even harder. Removing that barrier removes one important obstacle standing in the way of someone being able to obtain services, employment, or housing.”
“Governor Lujan Grisham believes passionately in an economy that works for everybody and that includes our neighbors who might be currently down on their luck,” said New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions Secretary Bill McCamley. “When this administration hears that there are problems we can fix, we’re going to do everything we can do make that happen.”
Employment Representatives from the Santa Fe New Mexico Workforce Connection center will be providing assistance in creating resumes, giving interview preparation tips, and registering individuals into the New Mexico Workforce Connection Online System, www.jobs.state.nm.us to begin their job search. Additional information on priority of service will be given to those who indicate they are a homeless veteran.
In addition to flu vaccinations and Vital Records services, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) will also have the Women, Infants, Children (WIC) program there to both provide services to existing clients and enroll any qualified mothers and children for supplemental nutritional assistance.
“The Department of Health’s job is to provide safety net services for all people in New Mexico, and it’s important to us that in those times when people can’t come to us, we will come to them.” said NMDOH Cabinet Secretary Kathy Kunkel. “We are grateful to the opportunity our agencies have to get in the field and help our constituents.
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Media Contacts:
Stacy Johnston
Acting Public Information Officer
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
505-250-3926
Stacy.johnston@state.nm.us
Charlie Moore
Public Information Officer
New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department
505-670-5406
Charlie.Moore@state.nm.us
David Morgan
Media & Social Media Manager
New Mexico Department of Health
575-649-0754
david.morgan@state.nm.us