Four Corners Native American Ministry Winter Homeless Shelter
Recognizing that there were no other homeless shelters in the Shiprock area and every year homeless relatives passed away from exposure, the Four Corners Native American Ministry was created. They are using their dorm area for the homeless relatives in the winter months from November to March until there is a shelter built and provided by the tribe. Meals will be served and hygiene products will be given to the relatives as they enter the shelter. Two doctors will provide a medical checkup and will administer a Covid test. Donations of blankets, socks, underwear and money for food and other supplies are needed.
Water Delivery Ministry
Approximately 10% of households in Northern Agency, Navajo Nation, do not have basic utilities to their homes such as community potable water supply, community sewage or community natural gas system due to homes being build far from these services (3 miles or more). Many of the homes have elderly, handicapped and young families living in them. These are the homes FCNAM focus on for bi-weekly water delivery. Homes with 2 or less people will have a 55-gallon water barrel while homes with 3 to 6 will have a 275-gallon water tote. Potable water is free from the local Navajo chapter (township) government. FCNAM is currently serving 15 households. We are looking for to a grant that will assist with training individuals to get their CDL and drive a 3,000 water truck.
Emergency food pantry and hygiene supplies ministry
FCNAM received a humanitarian grant for the LDS church humanitarian services to focus on providing hot meals (dinner and breakfast) for relatives staying at the winter homeless shelter (November to March). FCNAM has served approximately 750 meals per shelter season. In addition to providing hot meals to our homeless relatives, FCNAM provides an emergency food box to families in high need of food when absolutely necessary. Referrals come in from the local school districts, Navajo chapter (township) government, and Navao Community Health Representatives (CHR).
Winter emergency coal and wood delivery Ministry
FCNAM collaborates with the local chapter (township) government to collect fire wood and coal for elderly, handicap, and young families in need of these items to provide heating during the winter months. FCNAM partners with local non-profits and businesses in Colorado for donation or purchase of fire wood. The Navajo Transitional Energy Corporation (NTEC) provides free coal tickets to community members for approximately one ton of free coal. FCNAM staff assist with this project by applying for free coal tickets each month.
Backpack, School Supplies, and Winter coat distribution Ministry
Every year the Four Corners Native American Ministry gathers backpacks, school supplies, and winter coats for children in the area. Usually, they serve approximately 850 students. People from all over the country provide either material supplies or financial donations to help the community. Our Ministry has several partners who come out to assist the distribution day and even provide a community meal.
Solar Oven Seminar Ministry
FCNAM collaborates with Solar Oven Partners, a non-profit Ministry, out of South Dakota (Dakota Conference of the UMC). Solar Oven Partners provides the solar oven unit (2 pots, 1 baking pan, oven thermometer, hot pads, measuring cups, black cloth for baking, and water disinfection indicator). FCNAM plans the dates of the 2-day seminar and sets up/tears down the seminar event equipment (tents, tables, chairs, solar oven building tools, food for cooking in the ovens). Each summer, three different communities are chosen to have the seminars in to provide local access to a seminar.
Pastor Curtis Miner Memorial Scholarship
Beginning with the Fall 2023 semester, FCNAM was able to offer ten, $500 scholarships to full-time, undergraduate University students. As a memorial to Pastor Curtis Miner who lost his life in an automobile accident north of Shiprock. Pastor Curtis Miner was beloved by the community and his sudden lost in 2006 was a blow to the Shiprock UMC church and NM Conference. To honor him and his family, we have a scholarship based on a student’s willingness to complete 10 hours of community service in addition to writing an essay and submitting all necessary documents to establish they are actively enrolled in higher education. We are so grateful for Pastor Miner’s love and devote to spread the love of God to the Navajo people.
Miscellaneous Ministry
Collaboration with other non-profits and state/county/chapter governments on various community service projects such as litter pick-up, cemetery clean-up, global earth day (4/22), national community service day (9/11), emergency response (provide staff to man sign-in table, food/water distribution, and set-up/tear-up of mobile command center).
Mission work teams are welcomed! However, time slots/dates are limited. It is highly recommended a mission work team start planning a year out to reserve a spot to serve at FCNAM.
Donations
Donations may be sent directly to the ministry at PO Box 400, Shiprock, NM 87420 or to the Conference Treasurer, Griselda Sandoval, New Mexico Conference, 11816 Lomas Blvd, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112
