El Pueblo and Project SafeSpace are moving forward into the future with a new address and a new name!  Our total ministry will now be known as ACTS: A Community of Transformation and Service.  This more completely describes who we are and what we do.  ACTS will include the missions of both El Pueblo and Project SafeSpace under its umbrella and will be positioned to reach out with other ministries when necessary and appropriate.  

El Pueblo will move forward into 2010 with its ministry to the Hispanic/Latino immigrant community through the Immigration Legal Clinic, the women's empowerment group Mujeres Unidas (Women United), community education, and advocacy efforts.  The Annual Festival Sabor de las Américas (Flavor of the Americas) will continue to showcase and celebrate the diverse and exciting cultures of North, South and Central America each September with food, music and fun.

Project SafeSpace will throw open its doors once again to all those in need of a place of welcome and refuge with day services to the houseless, creating a community of hospitality that empowers them to live lives of purpose, dignity and service.  Our SafeSpace community includes American veterans who have put their own lives in danger so that we all might live in freedom and security, as well as others who have been devastated by medical bills, family tragedy and economic hard times.  Through Project SafeSpace we all can share our gifts to provide immediate needs, meals, clothing, showers, laundry facilities, and to encourage self-sufficiency and self-worth through case management, life skills resources, support groups, opportunities for service and avenues of spiritual growth.

We need your help to continue in this work.  We must raise $100,000 by the end of 2009.  If 1000 supporters like you each give $100, we will reach our goal.  Please consider sending us a gift of $100 to move ACTS into the new year on a sure financial footing.  If you cannot give that amount, even the smallest gifts add up!  As we approach the Christmas season, we reflect on Mary and Joseph, forced to leave their home, family and community by conditions beyond their control.  We see the Christ Child, born in a stable, homeless, with no one to welcome him.  And then the little family is forced to flee to a foreign land to save the life of the Author of life.  We remember the words of Jesus, "Whenever you did it to the least of these, you did it to me."  Help us to welcome Jesus today in the immigrant and the homeless we encounter right here on the Gulf Coast!