End the year by supporting better communities
With the community’s generous help, Community Against Violence (CAV) is providing holiday gifts to more than 520 Angel Tree children at Christmas this year. And special thanks to Jim Schlarbaum, who is ensuring each child in CAV’s emergency shelter and transitional housing programs has a special visit with Santa.
With the end of the year approaching, for us, it’s time to make year-end 2022 donations and plan charitable giving for 2023. CAV deeply appreciates you who have continued to donate to support CAV’s essential community services – and plan to do so again in the coming year.
Fasken Foundation Match The Fasken Foundation has once again issued a generous challenge grant to further help our community. They will match all donations to CAV dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000 if made by Dec. 31. This means your donations to CAV (taoscav.org) will be doubled by the Fasken Foundation’s generosity. Make giving a holiday tradition — your loved one will receive a thank you when you donate in their name. Or a donation can be made in someone’s memory.
Shopping to Give Back
While shopping locally, remember to shop first with CAV’s business sponsors — which are listed at taoscav.org — because these sponsors help support critical CAV programs.
Also, stop by the CAV Thrift Store (1509 Paseo del Pueblo Sur), across from the Sagebrush Inn, where you can get original iconic gifts like UFO-cow sign T-shirts, mugs, hoodies, totes and more.
If you shop online at Smile. Amazon.com (not the main Amazon page), designate “Community Against Violence” as your charity. At no cost to you, Amazon will automatically donate a portion of proceeds to CAV from every eligible purchase you make. Local Charities to Support There are many great organizations in Northern New Mexico that serve people struggling with homelessness, addiction, violence, poverty, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), grief and loss, and other chronic or short-term challenges. Throughout the year, you can help by donating food, money or your time.
You can also contact organizations to help with “wish list” items like linens, personal hygiene items, cleaning or office supplies, or help with repairs and maintenance. Here are a few examples: The DreamTree Project (dreamtreeproject.org) offers emergency youth shelter (ages 12-17), transitional apartments (ages 16-24), moving and rent assistance and resources for adults and families.
The Taos Men’s Shelter (taosmensshelter.org) provides an overnight haven for men who are homeless.
CAV (taoscav.org) offers services, emergency shelter, and transitional housing for children and adults who have experienced the trauma of domestic/sexual violence and child abuse.
Taos NEST (Navigation and Emergency Support Together) was created by the DreamTree Project, Heart of Taos (taosheart.org), the Taos Men’s Shelter, and Youth Heartline (youthheartline.org) as a collaborative long-term solution in Taos County for services and nighttime shelter.
Not Forgotten Outreach (notforgottenoutreach.org) provides services to military, veterans, and their families.
Ensueños Y Los Angelitos Development Center (eladc.org) provides services to children and adults with special needs, and their families.
Golden Willow Retreat (goldenwillowretreat.com) offering support and services to people dealing with grief, loss, and recovery issues.
Bridges Project for Education (bridgesproject.org) provides college counseling and support programs for teens and adults.
Including charitable giving among your holiday traditions helps these and other worthy causes to continue improving our lives and our communities. When each of us donates our time and resources to support these causes, together we produce results that are bigger, more meaningful and more effective than anything we could possibly do alone.
Malinda Williams is the executive director of Community Against Violence (CAV), which offers free confidential support and assistance for child and adult survivors of sexual and domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and child/elder abuse; community and school violence prevention programs; re-education groups for people using power and control in their relationships; counseling; shelter; transitional housing; and community thrift store. To talk to someone or get information on services, call CAV’s 24-hour HELPline at 575-758-9888 or 24-hour TEXTline 575-770-2706.