COVID19 — Community Resources

Tewa Women United is dedicated to nurturing and serving beloved communities and the wellness of everyone. We honor and raise up networks of mutual care.  

We have compiled this list of resources to support our communities as we navigate the COVID19 pandemic together. Our list centers resources created by Indigenous communities, as well as those relevant to the Tewa homelands, and the Española/Rio Arriba County area. We also recommend:

• For Santa Fe and surrounding areas, please see this list from EarthCare (includes link to mutual aid network)
• Albuquerque Mutual Aid Network
• For New Mexico Community Resources and Links, please see this list
• For New Mexico health information, please see visit the NM Department of Health special COVID19 website
• For Navajo and Hopi families, please see Navajo and Hopi Families COVID Relief Help Request Form

This list will continue to be updated. If you have suggestions for additions, please send them to maia [at] tewawomenunited.org or leave a comment below.

HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND SAFETY RESOURCES

*** New Mexicans who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453). ***

Immunity Support and Caring for Your Family from TWU’s Indigenous Women’s Health Program and Yiya Vi Kagingdi Doula Project

Decolonizing Community Care in Response to COVID-19 by Jade Begay (Diné and Tesuque Pueblo)

Herbal Resilience Guide created by Sitting Bull College community members, herbalists and herbalism teachers & students

COVID-19 Fact Sheets for Tribes and Urban Indian Communities from the Urban Indian Health Institute

How to best care for our relatives who are experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic Webinar from Urban Indian Health Institute

Presbyterian Española Hospital
Before getting tested for the virus, patients must be screened to find out if the test is necessary. To be screened, patients can visit phs.org/covid-19 for a free video or online visit. For Emergency Room visits, please call ahead to Presbyterian Hospital (505) 753-7111. Hospital staff will direct you to the appropriate entrance. Please wear a surgical mask, if you have one, when around other people and before you get to the ER. If you need someone to accompany you, keep it to one person.

Las Clinicas Del Norte (Abiquiu, El Rito, Ojo Caliente)
Please call first BEFORE coming to one of our clinics if you have any concerns about fever, cough, recent travel, or contact with a person who has tested positive for coronavirus. We can help direct your concerns while minimizing the risk of exposing you and other patients to the virus. More info here.

• Abiquiu – (505) 685-4479
• El Rito – (575) 581-4728
• Ojo Caliente – (505) 583-2191

FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

• Staying Safe During COVID-19 for Survivors of Domestic Violence
• Stronghearts Native Helpline (Mon-Fri) 1-844-7NATIVE; 1-844-762-8483
• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224

WAYS TO HELP

Seeding Sovereignty Mask Project is looking for clinical grade or 100% cotton cloth masks in a range of sizes for three communities in New Mexico with whom we are in kinship. If you are able to send or sew masks for our relatives, please do so while abiding to health guidelines for the safety of all our beloved recipients.

Rosie the Respirator is a group working to make 10,000 masks for our frontline workers in Northern New Mexico, from healthcare providers to prisons, cashiers, grocery store stockers etc.

Operation Bandana New Mexico is assembling a team of seamspersons in Rio Arriba County to make masks for medical personnel to help keep them safe. Initially, we were doing this only for our Federally Qualified Health Clinics in Rio Arriba, but with enough sewers, we can cover all of northern New Mexico.

FAMILY RESOURCES

“Traditional Indigenous Kinship Practices at Home: Being Child Centered During the Pandemic” from Indigenous Motherhood

Meals

For Seniors

• B.V.Q.A. Martinez Senior Center in Española: Senior Center meals will be available as carry-out only. Please call (505) 747-6028 or (505) 747-6027 to place meal orders.
• If you’re a senior or a disabled adult who cannot access groceries to call 1-800-432-2080. Leave a message with your name, telephone number, and the city/town you reside in. NM Aging and Long Term Services will be in contact with you within 2 hours of your call if not sooner. For those on the Navajo Nation call 928-871-6868.

For Students and Families

• Española Public Schools: The Student Nutrition Department is providing meals for all children within the Espanola Public Schools (EPS) service area. Click here for list of meal site locations and delivery routes
• Los Alamos Public Schools: Beginning March 16th and ending April 3rd, grab and go lunches will be provided for students who need them from 11 am – 1 pm at Aspen Elementary School.
• Moving Arts Española
  Pickup at curbside, Monday to Friday. Breakfast can be picked up at 8:00 am and lunch by 12:00 pm. We will also have started serving our hot vegetarian suppers. These will be for pickup only and can be picked up at Moving Arts Espanola between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. 368 Eagle Drive, Ohkay Owingeh, (505) 577-6629.
• Barrios Unidos – Food boxes available every day, 1 – 3 pm, 7 John Hyson Drive, Chimayo. Please call before coming out and honk when outside. (505) 351-1644.
• Luciente – Weekly food distribution to families in need in Rio Arriba County. (505) 807-2103.
• Northern Youth Project – Local fresh produce distribution. Call (505) 832-8408.
• Pathways Shelter (with support from San Martin De Porres Soup Kitchen, Panera Bread, Hacienda de Guru Ram Das Sikh Community) — Tuesdays through Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the homeless community. The shelter is located at 629 N. Riverside Drive, Española, behind the building. (505) 753-4453.
• San Martin De Porres Soup Kitchen – Monday to Friday, 11:30 am, 171 W. Jonathan Drive, Española. (505) 470-2208.

Other Family Support

Breath of My Heart (Española)
905 Calle Armada, Espanola, NM 87532
Phone: 1-505-753-0505 | Fax: 505-212-0420
info /at/ breathofmyheart /dot/ org

Breath of My Heart continues to be open to serve clients and community but with some modifications to services. Please visit their website to learn more.

Breath of My Heart also has a Food Bank. They write:

“We are so happy with the response that has occurred to our food distribution through the Food Depot. We are needing to make some adjustments during the extenuating circumstances of the COVID19 outbreak. We will temporarily restrict our food distribution to current and former clients of Breath of My Heart. If you fit this description please contact the office to be added to our text message notification list. We will not provide drop-in pickup of food and instead will send notification when food boxes are ready for pickup This will minimize traffic to our clinic and help to keep us all healthy and safe. Thanks for your understanding and patience.”

EDUCATION RESOURCES

“Indigenous Children, Survivance, and the Times We are In” by Trisha Moquino and Lynette Stant

Digital Resources for Learning at Home from the National Indian Education Association

Santa Fe Indian School 
Delivery of Chromebooks to all Pueblos is occurring for SFIS Students only. Check Pick-up locations and times @ www.sfis.k12.nm.us. Students should check Google Classroom to find your name and location. Can’t access Google Classroom? Call Ms. Love at (505) 795-0611.

FINANCIAL/ECONOMIC RESOURCES

Unemployment Benefits (New Mexico)
The work-search requirement has been waived for anyone whose job is affected by COVID-19 who seeks unemployment compensation including those who have had hours cuts.

Following a one-week waiting period, these workers could receive $433 per week for three weeks. Workers are highly encouraged to apply for benefits online here. You can call (877-664-6984) but online is the preferred option. The NM Department of Workforce Solutions is exploring other funding sources to compensate workers who lose income due to COVID-19.

For New Mexicans with DACA or any other immigration status who are being let go of their jobs and have questions about collecting unemployment, Santa Fe Dreamers Project is here to help. Call and leave a message 505-490-2789 or e-mail info@santafedreamersproject.org. They will get back to you as soon as possible.

For Renters (New Mexico)

Sample Letter (for service workers) to send to your Landlord regarding rent

Utilities (New Mexico)

• Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative will suspend disconnects for non-payment and has not yet put an end date on that suspension
• PNM will temporarily be suspending disconnections for non-payment & late payments, PNM.com/help
• NM Gas Company is offering payment extensions. Learn more here:  https://www.nmgco.com/en/Payment_COVID

Financial Relief Funds

• Pueblo Relief Fund  In an effort to meet the most critical needs of the 20 Pueblo Nations during the COVID-19 crisis, the All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG) and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC), have created and are administering a Pueblo Relief Fund.
• NDN COVID Response Project: Designed to provide immediate relief to some of the most underserved communities in the country. NDN’s intent is to quickly distribute resources to frontline organizations, Tribes, and individuals who are providing essential services to Indigenous communities within the next 15-45 days to provide gap resources during this health crisis.
• Native American Community Response Fund organized by Decolonizing Wealth Project, in partnership with Native Americans in Philanthropy and the National Urban Indian Family Coalition
• Navajo and Hopi Families COVID19 Relief Fund
• Poeh Native Artists Fund
• Santa Fe Community Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund: The COVID-19 Response Fund will support the many nonprofit organizations in our communities that will ensure children and seniors receive daily meals no longer provided in schools or senior centers. It also will provide funding for emergency health services, childcare, rent, and utilities.
• COVID-19 Relief Fund for LGBTQI+ BIPOC Folks organized by Amita Swadhin
• Coronavirus Care Fund for Domestic and Low Wage Workers organized by The National Domestic Workers Alliance.
• New Mexico Musicians Relief Fund Amid COVID-19
• COVID-19 Financial Security Offering Google Sheet

Support from Local Credit Unions

From Nusenda: If you are experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus, we are here to help. Our Financial Consultants and Call Center representatives can share our unique programs designed to support members during times like these:

• Skip-a-payment for credit cards. You can skip your April payment on Nusenda credit cards. Look at your upcoming April statement for details.
• Payment deferrals on auto, personal, and equity loans. Please contact us for payment relief on these Nusenda loans.
• Member Assistance loan available. Members who qualify can take out a temporary 0% relief loan to help weather the financial burden of missing work or needing extra supplies at this time. Some restrictions apply. Please contact us for more information.
• Help with your mortgage. If you’re having difficulty paying your monthly mortgage, contact our team at 877-827-0554, and we’ll work with you one-on-one to find a solution.

Native Businesses

Native Women Lead and several other Native organizations are uniting to identify resources and best practices to help Native Businesses not just survive but potentially grow despite the uncertainty of the current pandemic. They want to respond in ways that help YOU and identify real solutions for our businesses and the often remote communities they serve. Please take no more than 10 minutes to fill out this anonymous survey.

SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL, AND CREATIVITY RESOURCES

“Slow Stories” from Larry Littlebird (Laguna and Santo Domingo Pueblos)
“During the global coronavirus pandemic now affecting our families and communities, Everywhere, may the wisdom and ancient knowledge of our indigenous peoples and beloved Elders offer us renewed hope and guidance for navigating forward – for starting all over again. May these slow stories bless you and give you and your families sustenance, strength and spiritual encouragement in the days to come.”

Building Resilience During Self-Isolation: Taos resident Nikesha Breeze is offering an online series of classes geared towards the essential building of our immunity alongside our physical, mental  and emotional resilience, and presence of heart and mind within these uncertain times. Free for all BIPOC  and LGBTQIA+ folks and sliding scale for those who can support.

Virtual BIPOC (Black Indigenous & People of Color) Al-Anon Meeting
Every Sunday from 7-8pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 367 860 153
Password: 961395
Al-Anon’s Purpose: to help family and friends recover from the effects of someone else’s drinking (or drug use).

MESSAGES FROM OTHER INDIGENOUS GROUPS

Message from Utah Diné Bikéyah

Message from Pueblo Action Alliance: Call to Ceremonial Action