How Can You Help?
Supporting Cuidando Los Niños is easier than you might think.
Many people would like to help out in some way, but don't feel that they have enough options to help out in a way that satisfies their need to support their community.
Donate Money...
First, of course, you can help by donating money. Donations of cash help the families that we serve directly, in that 90 cents of every dollar donated actually is applied to direct services. That means that 90% of your donation is used to provide two hot, nutritious meals per day, transportation to and from the facility, an on-site Licensed Play Therapist, and high-quality childcare, among other services, for the homeless children that we serve. Additionally, that 90% is used to pay for comprehensive, individualized case management for the families so that they can end their cycles of family homelessness, thus reentering society employed and housed. In fact, about 74% of those families that finished our one-year program finished in housing and with a job.
“Off to School” Starter Kit
We’re so proud as children transition from their CLN Preschool class into APS Kindergarten. Of course these children may not have the basic materials they need. Collecting some of these items as you do your regular shopping and donating them to CLN for “Off to School” Starter Kits will help them more than you can know. Here are some suggestions:
1 bottle Elmer’s glue
1 pkg. Crayola washable markers
1 pkg. Crayola crayons
1 box Kleenex
1 pkg. AA batteries
1 toothbrush
1 tube toothpaste
1 roll paper towels
1 pkg. Baby wipes
Diapers (obviously, not for all children)
Diapering supplies (Desitin, etc.)
1 box or bag of crunchy snack (such as cereal)
1 box/bag of chewy food (such as gummy fruit)
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In-Kind Donations
You can help someone toward a brighter future. Many of our program participants are in great need of personal items and Cuidando los Niños gladly accepts these “in-kind” donations. In-kind donations can be items such as clothing, household items, children's books, non-perishable food, and other non-monetary items that can help someone start fresh.
Please help us preserve the dignity of our program participants by only donating clean items in good condition.
Thank you for considering Cuidando los Niños for your in-kind donation. For more information please contact Katie Sonnen at (505) 843-6899 x101.
By donating as little as 15 minutes of your time you can make a world of difference for a family in need.
Help with a Good Hot Dinner
With your next grocery store visit, you can provide a solid meal for a family of six by donating one or more $50 food cards from Smiths, Albertsons, Costco, or Wal-Mart. Please note: due to cultural differences among the families we serve, we ask that you provide the gift card, instead of donating food.
Collect Coins
Donate your spare change, for change. Saving your pennies can be an event, invite children to design a ‘change for change’ piggy bank or a special container to collect a small donation throughout the year or during the holiday season. As an added bonus, this project can instill a sense of altruism, that is literally, a gift that keeps on giving! Note: please send a check, not the coins!
Hygiene Kits
Our morning routine is something we rarely think twice about; showering, combing our hair, brushing our teeth, these basic necessities are so commonplace we easily take them for granted. Cuidando los Niños always has a need for hygiene items: soap, deodorant, shampoo, lotion, combs, razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste. You can simply pick up extras of these items when out at the store, or organize a drive at your office, school or place of worship to collect these much needed supplies. Hygiene kits make wonderful stocking stuffers for a family in need.
Home Starter Kits
Many of CLN’s families move into their new homes after living in a shelter or on the streets. They take pride and confidence in having a place of their own and you can help maintain this feeling by donating items for a home starter kit. Items, including brooms, dustpans, dish & paper towels, trash cans and bags, cleaning supplies, rubber/latex gloves, etc. are tools of our daily life we often take for granted. You can simply pick up extras of these items when out at the store, or organize a drive at your office, school or place of worship to collect much needed cleaning supplies. Home Starter Kits make wonderful housewarming gifts or stocking stuffers for families in need. All items must be new and unopened.
Baby Hygiene Kits
You can give a newborn baby a brighter future by putting together some essential baby supplies. Please include receiving blankets, diapers and pins, baby socks, soap, undershirts, play sets, bottles and formula.
Donate your furniture and help to make a house, a home
Your sofa, dining room set, end table may no longer fit your lifestyle, but it still has a lot of love left to give – why not donate it to a good home, instead of putting it out to pasture? For low-income families, buying furniture and household items often comes down to having to go without; difficult choices between food, prescription drugs, children’s clothes, or school supplies must be made. By donating your furniture to Cuidando los Niños, you are ensuring that it goes where it is most needed. We do not have a vehicle to collect your furniture, but call Katie Sonnen at (505) 843-6899 x101 to coordinate delivery. |
