DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

Another year is soon upon us and we couldn’t be more grateful than to have celebrated 45 years of service in 2021. We look forward to serving our community for years to come, but we cannot do it alone. We need your help!
This holiday season, give the gift of Friendship (Amistad). Your contribution is more than a donation, it is a form of friendship for Veterans, people with disabilities, our elderly, homeless and vulnerable populations in our community.
A monthly donation, no matter the amount, can make a world of difference for those we serve. Help us continue our Mission and become a friend to El Pasoans in need.

THANK YOU

A special Thank You to our employee monthly donors!

Gerardo Blanco
Celia Garcia
Mireya Lopez
Jose Martinez
Rosa Payan
Andrea Ramirez

This holiday season, we take a moment to reflect on the challenges and opportunities throughout the year.
We are extremely grateful with our community partners, donors, sponsors and supporters. With your help, we have been able to provide continuous services to our community, especially during the past 21 months. On behalf of Amistad’s Board of Directors, CEO, Management Team, and staff, we want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

MONEY BASICS PROGRAM

The Money Basics Program, funded by the Texas Council forDevelopmental Disabilities, assists in educating individuals with anIntellectual Developmental Disability (IDD) on the importance of money values based on their ideas and beliefs that matter to them. The program utilizes proven and valid web-based financial institutions such asPractical Money Skills and the Financial Education Council to help customize lessons to best fit the clients’ needs and learning styles.

This program focuses on the importance of credit scores, checking and savings accounts, having a monthly budget, and the difference between earned income and unearned income. The Resource Coach provides the client with activity worksheets to educate clients on financial independence, where a person should keep their money (bank, credit union, etc.), how to protect themselves from identity theft and finally, understanding how to apply for and keep track of their student loans.

To date, 38 students have completed our Money Basics Program!

Resource Coach, Joyce Madrid, received a heartfelt Thank You card from her most recent class who has completed the program.

Learn More:

https://projectamistad.org/peer-support-specialist-network-program

HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE

Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment is now available through January 15, 2022. Here’s what you need to know, according to HealthCare.gov:

This year, a new law (American Rescue Plan (ARP)) provides greatly improved financial assistance, which can significantly lower people’s premiums.
4 out of 5 people will be able to find plans for $10/month or less after newly expanded financial assistance.
With the new law, millions more people qualify for tax incentives that lower their premiums.
These are quality, comprehensive health plans that offer doctor visits, emergency care, preventive care, hospital care, and prescription drugs.
Consumers who enroll by December 15, 2021 can get coverage that starts January 1, 2022.
There is more help available this year. Consumers can access assisters and Champions for Coverage in nearly every state and county on the Marketplace.

Our Consumer Health Insurance Marketplace and Education Services(CHIMES) Navigators can guide you through the enrollment process.

To schedule an appointment, call 1-877-595-1788.

AMISTAD CARES UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DEADLINE

Amistad continues taking applications for the AmistadCARES Utility Assistance Program. The program can provide up to 12 months of assistance to cover past-due water, gas, and electric bills.

Who qualifies?

Households with incomes no more than 80% of area median income (AMI)* meeting the following conditions:

One or more individuals in the household has:

Qualified for unemployment benefits OR
Has experienced a reduction in household income,
Incurred significant costs,
Experienced other financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 pandemic, AND
Has received a past due utility notice

Requirements:

Must reside within the City of El Paso limits
Have an active and verifiable account with the utility company
Must reside within the property for which the assistance is being requested
Must NOT be receiving utility assistance from other sources

*AMI income limits depend on the number of persons in family. Based on El Paso, TX HUD Metro FMR Area:

$33,000

$37,700

$42,400

$47,100

$50,900

$54,650

$58,450

$62,200

How to Apply:

Download the application online and fill out
Call 915-298-7307 (select option 1 + option 1 + zip code) to schedule an appointment

Deadline extended through August 30.

www.projectamistad.org/amistadcares

Apply Now

AMISTAD IN THE COMMUNITY

Our CHIMES Navigators attended the Marathon Petroleum Health Fair and provided information regarding the Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment. Find us at the next community event! Our Amistad staff is ready to answer your questions about our services.

Amistad’s Corporate Management Team staff had the opportunity to attend the 2021 Southwest Women’s Leadership Institute Conference.The uplifting conference was filled with the speakers’ life experiences and how their resiliency led them to success.

DEFINING RESILIENCE

Public Relations Association of the Southwest (PRSW) hosted a
DefiningResilience
luncheon with a nonprofit panel, focused on the challenges the pandemic posed for these organizations and how they overcame them.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Ramirez, joined the panel along withLaura Ponce, Executive Director of Project Bravo, and Lorenzo Alba, Executive Director of Casa de Peregrinos.
Each participating nonprofit had the opportunity to share their resiliency story and how they pivoted and adapted to continue providing services to the community throughout the hardships of the pandemic.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Amerigroup

Amistad Celebrations

Employee of the month

Jose Alvarado

Transportation Dispatcher

Every Veterans Day we celebrate and recognize our very own Amistad Veterans with an appreciation breakfast. We are grateful for their service to our country and the work they do for our community!

Employee of the month

Every Veterans Day we celebrate and recognize our very own Amistad Veterans with an appreciation breakfast. We are grateful for their service to our country and the work they do for our community!