International District Church Opens New Safe Outdoor Space
ALBUQUERQUE – Located in the heart of the International District, New Creation Church has put the community at the center of its mission since opening in 2017. When Church Pastor Jesse Harden saw a need to help the most vulnerable in his community, he immediately stepped up.
New Creation is now the first congregation to successfully open an authorized safe outdoor space, located adjacent to the church. Today, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the opening of the new space and welcome the first guests.
New Creation’s safe outdoor space accommodates up to 10 people at one time. Each person will be provided with a tent, sleeping bag, extra blankets, a secure storage bin, and access to a restroom. Five people are currently staying at the site, and the Church plans to slowly increase capacity over time.
Leading up to today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, Pastor Harden complied with all requirements under the City’s thorough Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO), which included public notices and meetings with surrounding neighborhoods.
Pastor Harden is now encouraging other members of the faith-based community to begin taking the steps to open a safe outdoor space of their own.
“We are excited to celebrate the wide welcome of God as we open Albuquerque’s first Safe Outdoor Space to our neighbors living on the streets,” said Pastor Jesse Harden. “We hope others are inspired to create similar spaces of welcome so that we can all experience the safety, security, and dignity of home.”
“Supporting our unhoused neighbors requires a unified effort, and we’re grateful for our strong partners like New Creation Church who continue to lift up those in need,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “When we put community at the heart of our work, we build a City where people have the support they need to overcome challenges. We welcome other organizations to join us in this mission.”
The City of Albuquerque is committed to working with community partners to create safe outdoor spaces. This could include opening one on City-owned land. In the coming weeks, the City will identify sites where community groups can develop additional safe outdoor spaces. More details on this effort will be shared later this month.
“It is essential to establish touch points throughout the city that provide pathways out of homelessness and access to vital resources, including case management services,” said Director of Health, Housing, and Homelessness Gilbert Ramirez. “This is not something we can achieve alone. We need the support of our faith-based community and partners throughout the city. Thank you to New Creation Church for their unwavering commitment to serving our most vulnerable neighbors and creating a welcoming, safe outdoor space that promotes recovery.”
Learn more about safe outdoor spaces and the process of applying.