The Urban Indian Advocacy Program (UIAP) is actively seeking financial assistance to continue culturally appropriate services to urban Indian women and children fleeing abusive situations from the surrounding tribal communities and/or living in the city of Albuquerque. Our need for financial income is critical at this time. UIAP needs a minimum of $50,000 to $60,000 of unrestricted funds so that we may continue our day-to-day operations. By receiving these funds, we will be able to hire a receptionist to handle clients intake, provide necessities that are hard to come by, rental and deposit assistance, office supplies, etc. This would allow us to focus on obtaining grant funds to sustain our organization for the long term.

Presently, there are two of us on staff who are providing direct domestic victim advocacy services as well as submitting proposals and soliciting for funding from various entities. This has been a daily struggle and a Catch-22 for us. Presently, we have had to shorten our business hours during the day to focus on the infrastructure.

UIAP closed their doors last August 14, 2007. Due to the desperate need and community response, the program reopened October 29, 2007. Since opening, an average of 215-258 Indian women and children per month (i.e., 50-60 persons per week) seek assistance for food, clothing, day shelter, behavioral health referrals, health care information, civil and legal advocacy assistance, employment assistance, resume building, job placement, mail service, self-care, budgeting, job techniques, communication skills, basis necessities, baby items, furniture, household items, educational classes, empowerment circles, children’s activities, and direct domestic violence victim advocacy services.

According to the Albuquerque Homeless Coalition, 90% of the families served are homeless due to Domestic Violence. Of the 4,000 to 5,000 homeless people in Albuquerque, 500 people are Native American and 345 are children. Accordingly to the Amnesty International Report of 2006, Indian Women and Children are the most raped, most abused, most stalked, most battered, and the most murdered of all ethnic groups in the United States. UIAP is painfully aware of the lack of culturally appropriate services that specifically work with Indian people. UIAP respects the rights of Indian women making choices that affect their lives and the lives of their children. UIAP does not discriminate against others and provides services for all victims regardless of race, belief, and gender with a high respect for a women’s autonomy.

The real urgency of UIAP is that the program will have to once again close their doors within 3-6 months if we cannot find the dollars to continue. Please have all donations sent to us at the address listed below. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.