Angels among us

Bill and I moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico, 

not far from Albuquerque, in April of 2016

 from the Dayton, Ohio area (Yellow Springs) where we had lived and raised our 

daughter. We came to New Mexico because we had such a strong sirens’ call, 

we knew 

this was where we belonged. 

We knew that somehow, we would be trying to serve our new community. 

We were well aware of the extreme poverty here. We just needed to follow 

the signs directing us to how we would fit in.

Prior to our arrival, I connected with Kelly Conaboy Evans via a mutual Facebook friend. 

Kelly had been running a monthly food pantry in a local church for several years. 

Kelly’s mission is to feed people through her food pantry, 

Generous Hearts. 

(Please see her Facebook page for information on all her  wonderful work!)

We thought if we were physically able, we would volunteer there. 

In Ohio, I had been making hats for cancer patients. 

When cold weather was on its way, I started making 

hats and blankets and distributing

them at Kelly’s pantry. 

Initially, the clients thought I was selling the warm items. 

They were thrilled to discover I was giving them away!

Then one evening, as I watched TV with Bill and crocheted, I had a bit of a revelation.

 I realized that if I could multiply my hands, I could help a whole lot more people!

I’d been doing organizing for non-profits, mostly synagogues, for decades. 

I know how to organize people! 

I also know how not to hold on to them too tightly and 

allow their own creativity to soar!

I partnered with the local library which promoted the group, and 

gave us a place for our monthly meetings. 

We were off to an extraordinary start! 

And we grew! 

We made friends. 

We got creative 

and supported each other 

as we stretched our own skills. 

We guided and taught each other.

In the meantime, I was looking for other places to donate! 

After all, I was brand new here! 

Again, I know how to do this stuff! 

I connected, through NextDoor, with a marvelous woman named Marilyn Salzman.

Marilyn had lived in Rio Rancho for 25 years and was 

a major mover and shaker. 

She also became a very, very dear friend; 

the kind of friendship that is our chosen family.

With Marilyn’s guidance, we donated to 

nursing homes, 

homeless shelters, 

women’s shelters,

hospitals and missions. 

We continue to look for new places to donate and 

continue to support those who find our items 

helpful for their patients or clients.

Our one and only stipulation is that 

we do not donate to organizations 

that discriminate against anyone based on religious persuasion (or none), 

sexual orientation, 

ethnicity, or, well, 

anything else!

There is a wonderful concept in Judaism called 

Tikkun Olam; 

repair the world. 

The idea is that we are in

partnership with God to repair this very broken world. 

And so we do; 

one stitch at a time.

Johanna

In Memorium,

Marilyn Katzman Salzman

These skeins of yarn come from wonderful, generous donors who support our efforts.

At Heading Home, we are surrounded by angels. From our donors who generously support our work, to our clients whose perseverance inspires us every day, our community is filled with incredible individuals and groups who come together to make this work possible. One such angel is Johanna Smith, named one of the Albuquerque Journal’s “Angels Among Us” in 2019! Johanna received this well-deserved recognition for her work with a group called Crafting for a Cause, whose work also supports Heading Home.

On December 20, just in time for Christmas, Thomas Ruiz visited Johanna at her home to pick up a sizable in-kind donation to benefit the families and individuals we serve at Heading Home. Johanna gifted us clothes, a bed, a box spring, sets of sheets, office furniture, books, shoes, and more. This generous donation also included a collection of beautiful, unique crocheted items created by Johanna, her friend Kelly, and their fellow Crafting for a Cause members! We had the opportunity to join the Albuquerque Journal on 12/20 when they presented the award.

Thank you, Johanna, for this incredible gift to Heading Home!