Sometimes, slowing down and feeling grateful can be a challenge at the Interfaith Community Shelter, as we see how hard people struggle to rebuild their lives. But it becomes easier to be grateful when we look around and see the outpouring of help from so many in the Santa Fe community. Our guests at Pete’s Place often say the warm welcome they experience within our walls feels “like family.” This sentiment is a testament to our volunteers and staff who offer acceptance and encouragement with love and patience.
Apart from the meals provided all winter by our host teams of volunteers, ICS also serves as a one-stop location for people who are homeless to connect with our many partner agencies. These organizations help our guests take the next step to establish more secure futures for themselves by linking them to support services, healthcare and housing. With Veterans Day celebrated on November 11, I’d like to thank the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services for the outreach they provide at the Shelter to connect with military veterans experiencing homelessness.
Thank you to our amazing community--our partner organizations, our staff, and our tireless volunteers. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Julie Murray
President of the Interfaith Community Shelter Board
SANTA FE SYMPHONY’S STRING QUARTET PERFORMS AT PETE’S PLACE
Toes were tapping, some guests were dancing, and nearly all of them clapped as the String Quartet from the Santa Fe Symphony played at Pete’s Place. David Felberg (violin), Nicolle Maniaci (violin), Dana Winograd (cello), and Kim Fredenburgh (viola) began the hour-long concert with a couple of Brandenburg Concertos and finished with a classical arrangement of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah and a lively Celtic dance number.
One guest used his flip phone to share the concert with a friend. Another turned to the person standing next to him and nodded toward the quartet in admiration. “Not bad!” he said. After moving his chair closer, another guest asked David Felberg about Hayden, one of the composers whose works the quartet played. The guest was curious to know more about the 1700’s, when Hayden lived and how different or similar instruments were at that time. Mr. Felberg was happy to fill him in.
The October 22 concert was the first time the Santa Fe Symphony’s String Quartet had played at Pete’s Place as part of their educational outreach program. And we’re happy it won’t be the last!
HUDDLE UP! SCORE A TD and VOLUNTEER!
On a recent Sunday evening, players from the junior high, JV and varsity football teams at St. Michael’s High School volunteered at the Interfaith Community Shelter. The teams have committed to volunteering as a host team four nights during the football season – preparing and serving dinner for over 100 guests, helping in the luggage room and at the registration table – tackling any task assigned! Joined by Taylor Gantt, the school’s president, and Coaches Fernandez, Archuleta, and Hauck when they volunteered, the teams put into action two of St. Michael High’s core principles: Concern for the Poor and Social Justice, and Respect for All Persons.
If you or your team would like to volunteer, please email interfaithsheltersf@gmail.com or call Sue at 505.795.7494.
ANNUAL APPEAL WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
IN MAY 2018, a newly elected city official visited us here at Pete’s. He sat down with a small group of employees and one of our board members, and, after a few introductions, asked the question, “What would happen if the Shelter no longer existed?”
After a second of stunned silence, one of our employees answered, “People would die.” Dying of hypothermia on the streets of Santa Fe has become a rarity. In the last five years, there have been only two deaths attributed to hypothermia: one in October 2017 in De Vargas Park, and the other the following year. Neither of these men had taken advantage of any services the Interfaith Community Shelter offers. read more
As we anticipate and prepare for the holiday season in our homes, we remember the needs of the guests at the Interfaith Community Shelter. Your donation helps us to help them. Please donate today.
Pete’s Place Calendar
11/16/2019, 9–11 am: Volunteer Training on trauma-informed response at Interfaith Community Shelter
12/7/2019, time TBA: Interfaith Community Shelter Art Fair
Sometimes, slowing down and feeling grateful can be a challenge at the Interfaith Community Shelter, as we see how hard people struggle to rebuild their lives. But it becomes easier to be grateful when we look around and see the outpouring of help from so many in the Santa Fe community. Our guests at Pete’s Place often say the warm welcome they experience within our walls feels “like family.” This sentiment is a testament to our volunteers and staff who offer acceptance and encouragement with love and patience. 
On a recent Sunday evening, players from the junior high, JV and varsity football teams at St. Michael’s High School volunteered at the Interfaith Community Shelter. The teams have committed to volunteering as a host team four nights during the football season – preparing and serving dinner for over 100 guests, helping in the luggage room and at the registration table – tackling any task assigned! Joined by Taylor Gantt, the school’s president, and Coaches Fernandez, Archuleta, and Hauck when they volunteered, the teams put into action two of St. Michael High’s core principles: Concern for the Poor and Social Justice, and Respect for All Persons.
