Called to a New Mission: Local Veterans, Nonprofits Lead Local Relief Efforts for Elders & Families in Need.
Categories: Students Faculty Staff Community
May 27, 2020 - For local veteransmany of whom are UNM-Gallup students or alumnithe recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought an unwelcomed sense of isolation that has persisted over the past several months due to stay-at-home and other public health orders in McKinley County and the Navajo Nation. I rely on staying busy and active as a way to combat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), says Christian Vasquez, who serves as vice president of the UNM-Gallup Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and co-founder of the local nonprofit Strengthening Nations. This pandemic has taken a mental health toll on veterans because it has cut off a lot of resources that were available to socialize and engage in personal self-development.
While the pandemic has impacted veterans through this isolation, it has also provided a unique opportunity for Vasquez to join with other veterans in the area, including VRC president Eric Thomas. Together, Vasquez and Thomas have reached out to veterans locally to seek their service once againthis time as volunteers at Strengthening Nations, which was founded by Vasquez and Pat Nelson to provide supportive and advocacy services to domestic violence survivors; but has recently transitioned into a resource and distribution center for food and supplies for those less fortunate in our community.
We get these huge food trucksliterally a whole semi full of suppliesand local veterans have shown up to unload the supplies. We have to sanitize and package everything. We break the flour, rice, and beans down from 50-pound bags into 5-pound bags, explains Vasquez. The number of veterans who have stepped up is amazing, and they always show up and say: Hey, where do you want me? Lets do this. Its just amazing how theyve stepped up and helped out.
Its what veterans do, according to Thomas. We signed up to help people, he explains. Thats a motto that we continue to live up toeven with each other at the VRC. We still help each other out, whether its giving a ride home, helping with homework, or other types of help someone needs. We still have our community here, and thats why I decided that partnering with Strengthening Nations would be beneficial to our community.
When speaking with Vasquez and Thomas, their brotherhood and sense of service is palpableand its easily apparent that their shared mission to help the local community and the Navajo Nation with food and other resources is a mission they take seriously. Since March, they estimate that over 800 boxes have been distributednot counting all of the baby supply kits and individual cleaning supplies Strengthening Nations and its teams of volunteers have assembled.
Strengthening Nations also collaborates with and supports efforts of Indigenous Life Ways and its McKinley Mutual Aid health and help network that brings food and supplies to elders and families in McKinley County. Weve also served the Navajo Nation, and weve taken boxes down to Zuni. Strengthening Nations has a large client base that are veterans, too adds Vasquez.
Our community of veterans stepping up to serve those in need during this pandemicalong with these area nonprofitsis truly the inspiration that we all need at this time.
If youd like more information on the efforts or organizations mentioned in this article, feel free to contact or research:
Eric Thomas
UNM-Gallup Veterans Resource Center
eqthomas@unm.edu
Christian Vasquez
UNM-Gallup Veterans Resource Center & Strengthening Nations
chrisvasquez@unm.edu
Indigenous Life Ways
Latest News
UNM-Gallup opens new Native American Student Success Center
Zollinger Library March Events
UNM-Gallup debuts Legacy Gallery, celebrates Black History Month
UNM-Gallup celebrates Gallup-McKinley County Day 2025
鎊飪腦瞳 - Gallup
705 Gurley Ave.
Gallup, NM 87301
(505) 863-7500
Explore more News options:
UNM-G News UNM-G Events Speakers Bureau Press Release Archives