Grants support Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, a housing stability initiative within Santa Fe Public Schools’ Adelante program
SANTA FE, NM — The LANL Foundation and Thornburg Foundation have awarded a combined $80,000 to Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, a project of Santa Fe Public Schools’ Adelante program that helps families experiencing homelessness or housing instability secure and maintain safe housing. The two foundations contributed $40,000 each to support the project’s work to help families overcome housing-related challenges that can disrupt children’s education.
SANTA FE, NM — The LANL Foundation and Thornburg Foundation have awarded a combined $80,000 to Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, a project of Santa Fe Public Schools’ Adelante program that helps families experiencing homelessness or housing instability secure and maintain safe housing. The two foundations contributed $40,000 each to support the project’s work to help families overcome housing-related challenges that can disrupt children’s education.
The investment builds on Adelante’s longstanding work helping Santa Fe students and families navigate difficult circumstances, often providing the support they need to regain stability and move forward.
For one Santa Fe mother of three, that support helped change the course of her family’s life.
After fleeing a domestic violence situation, she found herself living in a shelter. She had been attending Santa Fe Community College (SFCC), but without stable housing, continuing her education became impossible. She was forced to drop out of school.
Then she was connected with Adelante.
The program helped the family secure an apartment, covering the security deposit and first month’s rent. Adelante also helped the mother return to SFCC, assisting with costs associated with reenrollment.
Today, she has earned a professional certificate and is employed in her chosen field.
Her story illustrates the difference that housing stability and individualized support can make, not only for children trying to succeed in school, but for entire families working toward a more secure future.
Through Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, Adelante has served 93 families, helping them build financial skills, strengthen family stability, and overcome barriers that can interfere with their children’s education. Families have worked with specialists on financial education and personal development, with assistance available for housing and other essential needs. The initiative has recently sharpened its focus to housing stability, helping families prevent eviction, secure safe housing, and avoid disruptions that can keep children out of school.
The program experienced a funding shortfall of $76,000 when they were notified that expected government funding was no longer available. Because commitments had already been made to participating families, the program used other available operational funds to ensure those commitments were fulfilled without interruption. The grants from the LANL Foundation and Thornburg Foundation will help offset those unanticipated costs and replenish operational funds.
“There was a collective sigh of relief when we learned this funding was coming through,” said Michelle Vignery, Program, Data Grants and Fiscal Operations Manager at Adelante. “Our families are often dealing with situations that can’t wait. An eviction notice, an unexpected expense or a sudden change in circumstances can quickly become a crisis that affects a child’s education. This support means we can keep our team fully staffed, continue serving families, and have the resources to respond when emergencies arise.”
“A child’s ability to learn shouldn’t depend on whether their family can make rent or find a safe place to sleep,” said Gwen Perea Warniment, President and CEO of the LANL Foundation. “We know that students thrive when their families have the stability and support they need. Adelante understands that connection and works directly with families to remove the barriers standing between children and their education. This investment reflects our commitment to championing family leadership and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.”
“Sometimes a rental deposit or help securing stable housing can make the difference between a family remaining in crisis and finding a path forward,” said Allan Oliver, President of the Thornburg Foundation. “Adelante understands the needs of Santa Fe families and does extraordinary work. It’s important that local funders recognize that impact and join us in supporting the program’s continued success.”
For the mother of three who found her way from a shelter back to college and into a new career, Adelante’s support meant far more than temporary financial assistance. It meant a safe place for her children to sleep, a chance to finish her education, and an opportunity to build a more secure future.
The grants are administered through Santa Fe Partners in Education, which serves as fiscal agent for Adelante. The program operates through the Santa Fe Public Schools Office of Student Wellness. For more information about Adelante and to support the program, please go to: https://www.sfps.info/page/adelante-program/