Catholic Charities
Grants Awarded
Catholic Charities’ Newcomers in Nature/Refugee Family Nature Connect program will engage around 50 refugee youth in Albuquerque with natural outdoor spaces as living classrooms for environmental learning and stewardship. With support from the Outdoor Equity Fund (OEF), this initiative will provide guided outdoor experiences over 18 months, enhancing familiarity with local landscapes while fostering physical and emotional confidence, environmental awareness, and a sense of community. Culturally relevant and trauma-informed activities, led by bilingual Community Liaisons in partnership with outdoor educators and community organizations, aim to overcome access barriers and nurture development, academic curiosity and social connections among the participants.
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.