Read our recent Albuquerque Journal article “Every Child Deserves a Home” and sign on to be part of the solution. Click here for more information.

On Saturday, September 24 from 9-11 am, Lawrence Charles Vargas Memorial Shoes-for-Kids & Acts of Compassion will be providing breakfast and delivering over 200 pair of shoes to homeless families at Cuidando Los Ninos.

Little did they realize when their son anonymously gave away his first pair of shoes in fifth grade that it would lead to his family giving away shoes and promoting acts of kindness and compassion in his memory.  Lawrence Charles was tragically murdered as an innocent bystander in an act of violence at the age of 23 in the summer of 2008.

 An aspiring firefighter and budding artist, Lawrence Charles was known for his acts of kindness/compassion and giving shoes away. His family has established an organization that has given away hundreds of pairs of shoes and extended acts kindness and compassion (emotional support as well as financial assistance) to families who have also lost a child. Funds are raised from the sales of  Vargas art (including Lawrence Charles’) and donations. To date, over 1000 pairs of shoes have been given away, including every child at Lawrence Charles’ elementary school (Lew Wallace) as well as children and elders in Laguna Pueblo.

Cuidando Los Ninos, an organization that supports homeless families, holds a special place in the Vargas family’s hearts as Lawrence Charles gave a donation from his art sales to this organization when he was a little boy…

“The message is beyond the pair of shoes.  It’s about practicing acts of kindness and compassion—about paying it forward, about healing.  It’s about taking adversity and channeling it into positive outcomes for others…and keeping our son’s spirit alive.”

Contacts:  Lawrence  and Terry Vargas  505-836-4312  cell: 250-9174 697-9623

                  Maria Grundy, Community Resources Director, Cuidando Los Ninos, 843-6899

Saturday, August 6, 2011
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
4509 Alameda Blvd. NE, Suite A

Please Contact: 
Maria Grundy, Community Resources Director
Cuidando Los Niños
(505) 843-6899, ext. 107
(505) 340-1925 (cell)
(505) 764-8840 (fax)
mariag@clnkids.org

 Albuquerque, New Mexico – July 28, 2011 – AZ Automotive, Inc. will hold a relocation celebration on Saturday, August 6, 2011 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at 4509 Alameda Blvd. NE, Suite A, in Albuquerque.  In addition to inviting their customers to see their new facility, AZ Automotive is also partnering with Cuidando Los Niños, a 501 (c) 3 organization that helps homeless children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years, and their families, and hosting a community fundraiser on their behalf.  

 The event will feature free food and fun for everyone, including jumpers for the kids and door prizes.   AZ Automotive will be offering an Oil & Filter special of $24.99, of which $5.00 will be donated to Cuidando Los Niños.  In-kind donations will also be accepted on Cuidando Los Niños’ behalf.   Cuidando Los Niños is currently in great need of size 5 diapers.    

“As a native of New Mexico I believe in giving back to the community I grew up in,” said Al Zaragoza, owner of AZ Automotive. “Helping children and their families to have the basic needs like food, clothing and a safe environment is all of our responsibly and Cuidando Los Niños has been the leading advocate for them.  The community has helped make my dream of being a business owner come true and I am thankful for that.  Given this opportunity I wanted to find a local organization I knew was dedicated to helping others have opportunities that will make their dreams come true as well.”

AZ Automotive is a family-owned local business and full-service automotive shop specializing in alignments and brakes. As a small business for almost 10 years, AZ Automotive’s owner and lead technician, Al Zaragoza, a certified ASE technician for more than 20 years, has prided his business on excellent customer service and quality work.

Founded in 1989, Cuidando Los Niños’ mission is to provide high quality early childhood development and therapeutic services to meet the special needs of children experiencing homelessness (ages 6 weeks to 5 years); support services that assist their families to become rehoused and stronger; be a community leader and advocate for social change necessary to break the cycle of homelessness. 

For more information contact AZ Automotive at (505) 890-3888 or Cuidando Los Niños at (505) 843-6899 ext. 107, or see Cuidando Los Niños’ website at clnkids.org/get-involved/donate/ for the current wish list.

http://alibi.com/feature/37682/Lost-and-Found.html

 Dear Friend,

We would like to invite you, your family and friends to join us at our gala film festival, presenting films produced by Albuquerque’s youthful film-makers to educate and motivate the community to END child homelessness.

Come view the films and provide your comments on June, 25, 2011 from 5:30-9:00 PM at the South Broadway Cultural Center, 1025 Broadway Blvd. SE. A reception and art gallery will present artwork for sale, with proceeds to benefit the children and families served by Cuidando los Niños.

Visit the Film Festival Website.

Cuidando Los Niños to Host Annual Breakfast Event on June 10, 2011

[Albuquerque, NM] – Cuidando Los Niños announced that it will hold its annual Breakfast Event at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 10, 2011 at the Embassy Suites. The theme for the Breakfast Event is “The Faces of Homelessness.”

Dr. Jaime Tamez, Executive Director, explains:  “When we hear the words ‘homeless person’ we immediately think of an adult perhaps standing by the freeway off ramp and holding a sign asking for help. The faces of homelessness, however, have changed tremendously.  Families with young children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population and they need our support and help.  Our Breakfast Event is intended to help our communities become more aware of child and family homelessness; to raise funds so we can continue our work; as well as to thank the many supporters who make it possible for Cuidando Los  Niños to meet the needs of the most vulnerable families in our community.” 

Cuidando los Niños is nationally accredited and licensed with a five-star rating as an early childhood development and comprehensive family services center.  It is one of only seven centers in the country that works specifically with children under the age of six years of age and their families, who are experiencing homelessness.

Cuidando Los Niños has been successfully providing early childhood development and comprehensive services for homeless families in Bernalillo County since 1989.

If you would like to attend the Breakfast Event please contact Maria Grundy, (505) 843-6899, mariag@clnkids.org.

La Cosecha brings together educators, parents, researchers and the community that support dual language enrichment education. Come share your experience and knowledge, and “harvest” (network) the best of our multilingual/multicultural communities at the La Cosecha Conference, November 16-19, 2011 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

For more information, please call Maria Grundy at 843-6899 ext. 107 or email at mariag@clnkids.org

Spring Thaw

Bunny Brunch

Teacher – Early Childhood

Cuidando Los Niños is a NAEYC accredited NM 5-Star Licensed Early Childhood and Family Development Center that works with families with young children, 6 weeks to 5 years of age that are experiencing homelessness. Teachers must meet the following required minimum qualifications: 45 hour entry level course or a CDA/NM State Equivalent and the commitment to pursue an AA/BA degree in Early Childhood. Preferred: AA or BA in Early Childhood Development; Bilingual Spanish/English. Pay starts at $10.00 + DOE. Cuidando Los Niños is an EOE employer.

Submit cover letter and resume to Cuidando Los Niños, PO Box 12786, Albuquerque, NM 87195 attention: Dr. Jaime Tamez or email to jaimet@clnkids.org  Open until filled.