The Backdrop
The City of Albuquerque is spending enormous resources pushing human suffering from block to
block in a cruel destabilizing cycle that destroys trust, medications, survival gear, and pathways
to healing. “Learn the Streets” is a direct counter to those “sweeps”; instead of treating the
unhoused as a problem to be moved out of sight out of mind, we are partnering with our
unhoused neighbors to design the housing, behavioral health, and support systems that would
actually end homelessness in Albuquerque humanely and sustainably.
What We’re Doing
On Saturday, June 20th, 2026, we’re mobilizing a dozen local organizations and 50-75 volunteers
across 6-8 encampment sites from 9am-1pm to distribute care packages and food, build
relationships through conversation, and listen to what people actually need, asking simple human
questions like “What’s hardest right now?” “What’s worked/not worked?” and ”What would
actually help?” Our goal is not one-time outreach; it’s relationship, reconnection, and long term
follow through. After the outreach we’ll invite all those we encounter to each of those 6-8 sites to
eat together and to join in facilitated conversation. Then on Saturday, June 27th volunteers will
gather back together 11am-1pm to turn what we learned into actionable community and policy
proposals.

Volunteers Needed:
• 50-75 volunteers
• Site leads and note takers
• June 20 and June 27 participation

Donations Needed:
• 500 Care packages
• Food for 6-8 sites
• 10-15 tables, 100-150 chairs
• $5k-7k for stipends supporting lived-
experience site leaders