In December, 2007 Lynn Sanchez was living in Santa Fe pursuing her interest in archeology when she stopped by to visit a midwife friend. There she met her friend’s client Janey (not her real name), a young, expecting mother who was sleeping on the Taos mesa in a hole she had dug herself. Janey, who stands 4’11” and weighs 90 lbs, had fashioned a make-shift lean-to over the hole to protect herself from the harsh Taos winter. Regularly, her baby’s father would send his friends to kick down the lean-to in retaliation for leaving him.
Janey’s story led Lynn to learn about the plight of others who are homeless in our community, and became increasingly appalled that human beings are forced to live under such circumstances. Driving around town one day, Lynn spotted an empty storefront on 4th Street and without thinking twice, rented it herself to provide a safe space for Janey and the many others like her. Lynn named the space Sojourners in dedication to all those who seek a warm, caring place as they journey through life’s unfamiliar territory.
A few months later, Sojourners became a program of The Life Link, whose philosophy has always been that human beings need stable housing before they can begin to address life’s other issues. Becoming a Life Link program meant that Sojourners would have the administrative and financial support necessary to continue and expand its mission.
Sojourners right from the beginning has functioned as a day shelter with a coffee house ambiance as Lynn, who is also a licensed mental health counselor, endeavored to find permanent housing for her clients.
Lynn explains: “Sojourners serves people who have been marginalized by society. They live in – but are not part of – our community. Most have been or are homeless or living in cars and have suffered deep trauma. They don’t often have family support they can count on. What they so vitally need is a place to be during the day – to network and socialize with others, discover available services, search for jobs, even leave their children with a babysitter so they can do important errands.”
Lynn acknowledges her clients are often fearful of social service agencies and do not seek traditional services, so Sojourners does not have a traditional agency atmosphere. The casual café ambiance is designed to create a feeling of safety and welcome for all who enter, regardless of their current situations. Sojourners meets its clients where they are and allows them to determine their own goals at their own pace.
Through The Life Link’s housing services, today most of Sojourners’ clients have permanent housing and are working on next steps. Janey lives with her children in an apartment and pays her entire rent by herself. She holds down two jobs and attends Northern New Mexico Community College where she is studying to become a physician’s assistant.
Sojourners has recently expanded into a bigger, more comfortable space on the same block. In addition to finding housing for their clients, they also distribute food, cook meals, offer GED and other life skills classes, provide internet services, advocacy services and babysitting. They also run a donations program where concerned citizens can donate items to help mothers set up their new apartments.
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If you would like to know more about Sojourners and how you can help by donating or volunteering,
CLICK HERE
Or contact Lynn Sanchez at 505-438-0010 x56.