Four Corners Native American Ministry Homeless initiative
Four Corners Native American Ministry collaborates with various organizations to assist with providing resources such as hygiene and meal kits to homeless relatives. We also do visits to elderly and families living in deplorable conditions (e.g., no running water, electric or central heating). If our staff can do basic, minor repairs we can assist in this manner. For major repairs, we can do a materials list and help obtain a cost estimate which the family can then take to an organization for potential funding. We also do referrals to organizations who provide solar power and atmospheric water generator for residential homes.
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 built 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
In collaboration with other organizations, 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 Navajo Community Health Representatives (CHR). The food box is enough food for a family of four to last 2 weeks. Items like pastas and canned foods are in the box
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
Pastor Curtis Miner who lost his life in an automobile accident north of Shiprock 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 dedicate community clean-up projects and dog/cat vaccine events in his honor. We are so grateful for Pastor Miner’s love and devote to spread the love of God to the Navajo people. Pastor Miner would adopt stray cats in the community. He cared for them by taking them to the veterinarian office for treatment and vaccines. Then he would rehome them to caring families.
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
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
FCNAM Board of Directors: Rev. Kathy Potter (Chair), Theresa Kelly (Vice Chair), Rev. Adrianne Coleman, Rev. Norman Mark, Matt White (Community Rep), Rev. Ross Whiteaker (Ex-officio), and Griselda Sandoval (Ex-officio).
