ABQ Times

A 68-year-old resident of Albuquerque, Charles Orr, has found stability and housing after experiencing homelessness. Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Orr moved to Albuquerque in 1999 and worked at Smith's grocery store for 24 years. Despite his struggles with financial hardships and maintaining stable housing, he kept his situation a secret from his co-workers.

In November 2024, an officer from the Albuquerque Police Department who knew Orr offered assistance. This led him to Angela Tello from the ACS Street Outreach program. "I usually keep to myself and don’t want help," said Orr. "Trust is a big thing for me, and Angela helped make the journey easy."

The collaboration between ACS and Heading Home’s Street Connect program enabled Orr to move into temporary housing before securing a permanent apartment on Albuquerque’s westside. Mayor Tim Keller stated, “Making that personal connection with someone in need can be the breakthrough needed to get back into stable housing.”

Orr's new apartment was furnished with help from local organizations and staff from the Mayor’s office provided household items. He now receives monthly support through Social Security Income.

Angela Tello emphasized the importance of supporting individuals beyond just providing shelter: “It’s about connecting people with essential resources and guiding them through the challenges of everyday life.”

ACS is part of Albuquerque's public safety system, addressing non-criminal issues like behavioral health and substance use. They offer services such as Emergency Overnight Shelter Transportation.