Catholic Charities
Grants Awarded
Catholic Charities’ Newcomers in Nature/Refugee Family Nature Connect program through our Center for Refugee Support engages refugee youth in Albuquerque as learners, explorers, and emerging environmental stewards, using outdoor spaces as living classrooms. While Catholic Charities has incorporated outdoor activities into family summer camp and year-round programming, Outdoor Equity Fund (OEF) support will allow the organization to formally expand and deepen this work into a structured, youth-focused outdoor education and recreation program. Beginning in summer 2026, the program will serve approximately 50 low-income refugee youth ages 18 and under, with parents and caregivers participating in select activities to reinforce learning and family engagement. Over an 18-month period, youth will participate in guided outdoor experiences designed to increase comfort in natural spaces, build physical and emotional confidence, strengthen environmental awareness, and foster a sense of belonging in their new community. Catholic Charities’ Center for Refugee Support works with refugee families from Arabic, Dari, and Swahili language groups who have been resettled and placed in New Mexico recently, (ranging from within the last few months to the last five years). Many refugee youth arrive in New Mexico with limited exposure to local outdoor environments and face financial, transportation, and familiarity barriers that limit access to structured outdoor learning. Newcomers in Nature addresses this gap by pairing outdoor recreation with informal, place-based education that supports youth development, academic curiosity, and social connection. Programming is led by trusted bilingual Community Liaisons fluent in Arabic, Dari, and Swahili, in partnership with trained outdoor educators and community organizations, ensuring activities are accessible, trauma-informed, and youth-centered. OEF-funded activities will launch in the summer with high-engagement experiences such as a multi-day nature-focused summer camp, beginner biking lessons, guided hikes, and open space exploration. These activities introduce youth to outdoor safety, physical movement, and foundational environmental concepts while building comfort in unfamiliar settings. Learning is embedded through observation, guided discussion, and reflection. During the fall and winter months, youth will participate in seasonal workshops that deepen environmental understanding through creative, hands-on activities. Programming will include wildlife education, nature-based art and storytelling, gardening and sustainability workshops, and facilitated discussions on environmental responsibility, allowing youth to explore local ecosystems and seasonal changes in age-appropriate and culturally relevant ways. Spring and summer programming emphasizes immersive outdoor learning and skill-building, including camping trips, fishing workshops, scavenger hunts, and guided hikes throughout Bernalillo County. Activities will take place in partnership with the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division, Cottonwood Gulch, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Across all seasons, the program prioritizes youth-centered place-making, helping refugee youth build familiarity with New Mexico’s landscapes, strengthen peer relationships, and develop the confidence and skills needed to engage in outdoor spaces independently and safely.
Founded in 1946 as a local affiliate of Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Charities is a 501(c)(3) human services agency providing compassionate community services within Central New Mexico. Our mission is to put faith in action to improve the lives of those in need. We provide holistic support across the lifespan, including adult education, childcare, housing and homelessness prevention, transportation, and refugee and immigration services. Our goal is to promote self-sufficiency, strengthen families, reduce poverty, and build inclusive communities. Through our programmatic Centers of Excellence, Catholic Charities serves more than 5,000 individuals annually. This includes refugee families and youth supported through our Center for Refugee Support, which offers trauma-informed, culturally responsive services such as case management, food assistance, youth and family programming, and community integration activities for newly arrived families. Through our other centers, we also serve those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, young children enrolled in bilingual early childhood education, adult learners expanding educational and career pathways, immigrant families pursuing legal stability and citizenship, and homebound seniors. All services are provided without regard to religion, faith practice, or belief, and participation in religious activities is neither required nor expected to receive services. Our programming is delivered by trained, culturally responsive staff and volunteers who reflect the communities we serve. Catholic Charities sustains its impact through federal, state, and local government funding as well as and partnerships with community organizations, faith communities, educational institutions, and private donors, ensuring coordinated, equitable access to services that support stability, opportunity, and long-term well-being.