Support the Lexington and Its Positive Impact

My name is Ken Collins, CPSW, CSHPS, the Executive Director of Hozho Center of Personal Enhancement , a Peer-run Wellness Center in Gallup, NM, and Board Member of Heading Home, an agency dedicated to reducing homelessness in New Mexico.

On September 1, 2023 the board at Heading Home made a heartfelt decision to close Gallup's only homeless shelter on September 30th and all 34 people living in the shelter would have to move out.

Although we succeeded in keeping the doors open for three months we have a long way to go and are quickly running out of time.  

The City Council of Gallup approved $50,000 of the $150,000 to keep Lexington open in October, McKinley Conty came in with $50,000 for November, and the Navajo Nation donated $50,000 for December.  The New Mexico Finance Authorty donated $30,000 for January. 

In October, we got some good news after Heading Home billed the City of Gallup for $43,000.  This saved us $7,000, so this means our $180,000 will last until February 1, 2024.  

Heading Home will continue to bill the City of Gallup for operations at Lexington and transition operations to the Native Partnership for Housing (NPH) who will bring Lexington under their umbrella to incorporate Lexington as a non-profit tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization.  

However, the problem remains after February 1st because NPH doesn't have any additional funds for the Lexington operations. 

Heading Home is donating all equipment, beds, desks, computers, etc. to NPH who will hire all the current staff. Win-Win! 

Our GoFundMe fundraiser has thus far raised over $8,000 for the Lexington residents.  Because of the devastating news of Lexington closure some residents moved out of state where some of the $8,000 was used for purchasing train and bus tickets, move in costs, utilities, and down payments for apartments.  

We only have a month and a half to find $600,000 for the remainder of the year.

It's critcal this fundraiser remain open until we can achieve long-rerm funding for the Lexington Hotel. 

Please help us keep Lexington open until we can achieve long-rerm funding for Lexington.  

We can't do this without your support.  

Thank you!

Albuquerque TV station did an excellent interview with Gallup Mayor and residents: https://share.newsbreak.com/4yuv8dam