Day of Action: Celebrating Families

A fun time was enjoyed by the families who turned out for United Way's Day of Action at Casel-Land Fun Center (over 100 people in all). They and many others donated over 60 packs of diapers that will help local families in need. Thank you to all who participated in this TERRIFIC event!

In addition to the rides and games, United Way held several special activities for the families. Each family received a souvenir photo taken by United Way volunteers. A table with bubble-blowing activities and a craft project for fathers and children were offered.

Six gift baskets containing a DVD, popcorn and snacks were given away. Gift certificates were provided by Furr's, Applebees, Chilis and Pizza Hut.

The diapers will help clients of Junctions and Pregnancy Resource Center, co-sponors of the event. United Way expresses sincere thanks to the sponors, donors and volunteers who made this event a success.

Four Attend NM Youth Alliance

Four Clovis youth attended the New Mexico Youth Alliance conference in Albuquerque and Santa Fe June 3-5. They were Claire Caffrey and Avion Cox, graduates of this year's Zenith Youth Leadership Academy, and Victoria Vasquez and Chad Archuleta, participants in TeenApex, the forerunner of Zenith.

The youth participated in workshops held at the University of New Mexico and Embassy Suites in Albuquerque. They also traveled to Santa Fe to meet with state legislators. The workshops centered on developing leadership skills. Each student gave a short presentation to demonstrate their public speaking skills.

Other graduates of this year's Zenith class included Brian Chenoweth, Zohnae Crawford, Antonio Gallego, Dustin Lea, Aileen Licano, Amanda Sellers, and Justyn Wright. We look forward to watching the acheivements of these bright young people.

Dream Center Still Needs Volunteers

Work is still underway on the Dream Center Building in Portales. Help is needed to finish the drywall and with painting. Anyone who can volunteer is asked to call 2-1-1 (or 935-0211 on your cell). Let's COMPLETE this important Day of Caring project! As soon as the builing is completed, the Dream Center will once again be able to serve Portales residents in need with food, clothing, furniture and household goods.

Spotlight Shines on Junctions

"New Mexico is beautiful, enchantingly mysterious and diverse . . . (and) has the highest per capita rate of deaths due to substance abuse in the nation . . ." -Center for Mental Health Services, 2008

In May 2008, Junctions opened its doors in response to the challenges we witnessed in our community regarding the barriers Curry County residents faced in accessing substance abuse recovery support services and subsequent funding sources. With the vision of making a positive change in our community, Junctions partnered with Value Options New Mexico through a grant to the New Mexico Behavioral Services Division/Human Services Department from SAMSHA, and was established as the Central Intake for the Access to Recovery (ATR) Grant in Curry County.

ATR is a faith-based, 3-month, voucher based program that supports a holistic full funded approach to achieving and maintaining sobriety from drugs and alcohol. In addition to traditional behavioral health services, wrap-around recovery support services are also offered and funded. Our Recovery Support Network is comprised of over 30 local Treatment and Recovery Support Services Providers.

All Junctions services are 100% confidential, 100% client driven, 100% client choice, and 100% FREE! Through the ATR initiative, Junctions has successfully partnered with over 1,075 Curry County residents on their road to recovery. Junctions strives to promote the dignity of people in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction. Ultimately our efforts have been directed toward removing the stigma surrounding drug/alcohol addiction by putting a human face on recovery while navigating those in need through the complex maze of recovery support options and funding sources.

Additionally, through the generous funding awarded by The United Way of Eastern New Mexico, Junctions has recently implemented a Diaper-Wipe and Perishable Food Outreach Program to low income residents of Curry County, which can be utilized up to three times per year. Street Outreach funds, also accessed through the ATR grant, allows us to assist those in need with various health and beauty aids (shampoo, soap, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, towel, etc). Through a partnership with Cook's Truck Stop, shower vouchers are also available. Junctions uses these outreach opportunities to administer a brief needs assessment screening to identify additional needs applicants may have and then refer them to the appropriate entities/ resources available within the community.

"When life presents problems, often times, we in our addiction cannot overcome them ourselves. Along the way people cross or paths and we must realize that when we can't help ourselves we MUST let others help us . Change is good - one must step past the fears and reach for the unknown. (Junctions) has helped me achieve and maintain my sobriety, helped with LifeSkills, provided me with food, given me moral support and positive reinforcement." -Junctions Client #13433

For more information about Junctions, please feel free to call us ( 575.935.8522) drop by and see us (1614 N Main, Clovis) or visit our website (http://www.junctionsllc.com/) - We'd love to hear from you!