Programs

Albuquerque Opportunity Center is unique as an emergency shelter in that it has the goal of a return to housing every resident. Program staff work individually with residents to set goals of regaining self-sufficiency and reaching community resources, including housing. On average, about 30% of the men who stay at Albuquerque Opportunity Center leave into rental or supportive housing.

The AOC’s core program is homeless exit planning. The AOC staff connect homeless men with the resources they need to exit homelessness – resources such as the VA, financial assistance, employment and healthcare.

Since its inception Albuquerque Opportunity Center has chosen to fill gaps in services and work in partnership rather than duplicate existing services. In this way we create treatment “teams," which are the most effective way to support homeless men. Community agencies offer a range of on-site services to help residents address their medical, employment, psychiatric, addiction, and other needs. First Nations provides HIV prevention outreach; the Veterans Administration informs veterans of their benefits and services eligibility; the Department of Health provides Hepatitis A and B vaccines; Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless provides low-level primary health care, acupuncture for pain and/or cravings and identification card replacement services; New Mexico AIDS Services educates men about prevention of HIV and hepatitis.

Because AOC is not a meal site, we also schedule our morning & evening transportation to and from Albuquerque Rescue Mission to coincide with their meal service.