PB&J Family Services is certainly one of the more lauded, awarded and active nonprofit…read moreorganizations in Albuquerque, but what do they do, exactly? Well, the scope is really tough to explain, but for me, it starts with parenting, specifically with dads. Of course, fatherhood is a subject I'm particularly passionate about, I'm simply fascinated by our ever-shifting non-nuclear family roles, the ways in which we dads now often balance the homemaking demands of everyday life, and more than anything, our lack of experience on the job. The parental job, that is. In many cases, we grew up in homes without solid father figures of our own, and when we go out into the big grown world, we often don't know where to begin with our own children. At PB&J, training dads to be dads often begins when dads get out of prison. "Imagine watching a father helping his daughter tie her shoelace out on this playground, or pretend to cook, or help her on the playground equipment," the Executive Director, Susannah Burke, said to our group during a tour. "Very often, this is the first time they've had an opportunity to connect, to share one-on-one experiences, and to learn how to care for their child. We watch relationships form and grow deeper, we watch kids grow stronger, it all starts right here." And we haven't begun talking about the moms. They're strongly represented here, too. This center offers more than day care, it's more like day school, day training, and day support, for endless families in Albuquerque's south valley and beyond. Over 40+ years they've held programs all over the state, including women's prisons. Personally, I love that what they do isn't overtly complicated. They provide shelter, a safe zone, and love, so people can thrive. New Mexico is blessed to have this organization.

What an incredible organization doing SUCH important work serving at-risk children in our…read morecommunities. I had the privilege of taking a tour of the facility with other Yelpers who came out to lend a hand on a variety of projects, and we learned in depth just how much this organization does, and how much it has grown since it's birth in 1972. They provide so many services to support and nurture the family dynamic including providing a safe, healthy, stimulating environment for children to learn, and opportunities for parents (many whom have struggled with mental illness, depression, addiction) to be educated and taught how to reconnect and rebuild relationships with their children. The fruit is evident, the success stories are mounting, and we have this great organization to thank for it. Let's continue to support everything they do!!!

I am so very grateful that organizations like Roadrunner Food Bank exist in our community. The…read morestaff is always so friendly and it's really simple to set up time to volunteer. A little while back, I did a group volunteer activity with some friends, and it was a very good way to spend a Saturday. We ended up sorting potatoes and were there for about 2 hours, but opportunities and needs vary from what I understand.

Not only does Roadrunner provide an awesome service to the less fortunate in tHe 505, but thEy hold…read morean annual fund raising event called the Souper Bowl! It is an event that features soups and deserts from all over Burque! Come with an empty stomach, and some money to dOnate in some auction items! This years faves are Ohana Cafe, Gobble this, and desert goes to Nothing Bundt Cakes ! It is an awesome cause with awesOme People! I highly recommend the event!

I would have never found this amazing organization if it wasn't for Yelp Helps!! So glad I did!…read moreThey give NM's troubled youth a second chance at life, getting through school and learn and grow their skills and talents. They teach healthy living starting from nutrition not only in books but in a way of GROWING FOODS. I LOVE that. They get to work and learn how to grow food, eat healthy, have a place to hang out and express themselves via music, poetry, spoken words, and art. They were prepping for an upcoming show and there were some seriously talented youth there I got to work in the fields for a bit and got to see their beautiful greenhouse they call the wind tunnel. Right now they have kale greens, spinach, beets, lettuce, and carrots. On the outside the had garlic, onions, and sugar snap peas so far. How amazing that they do all this?!?! The people who work there are passionate about what they do and I saw the light in their eyes shine when they spoke of what they do. I was blown away by learning all that they do. Thank you for having us!!

What an amazing outreach program smack dab in the middle of the South Valley. This non-profit…read morehelps community members and teens find more useful and productive uses of their time. A GED program..check. Access to computers...check. Music and art enrichment...check. Cultural cultivation...check. Farming?...CHECK! Our Yelp Helps group spent some time slinging poo, raking dirt and digging a hole with 3 of the gentleman that run this great program. I had some great conversation with Brad. He had some insight about troubled youth and the community. I was thrilled to see all of these great helping hands. The folks at the institute were preparing for an upcoming community event. We listened to some music and spoken word poetry before heading out to the farm where we were given a tour of the area and handed a pitch fork/shovel. I enjoyed my time with other helpful yelpers and the folks at the institute.

Mary was an enormous help and condensed our miscellaneous stuff to a great price! Always upbeat…read morewhen we've been there. So happy to find gems and support this wonderful charity! Very well organized for the amount of random things.

They made my home worse I don't know how to fix it. There was someone by the name of Bob he kept…read morecalling. Apparently he wanted Carlos to leave even said I didn't have to sign paperwork. Multiple workers should have been out here. He just kept calling someone named Bob who was giving orders to leave project. I would like some answers bit my home can not e left like this and needs to be fixed. Painting over mold is dangerous to my home and health. My father and Jimmy Carter were friend and did work for this country if they were alive this would not have happened. I am reaching out to the Former president and see if they can help.

The Power Of Local Food and Love…read more Another gem to add to beautiful downtown Albuquerque. It's not only a cool new local cafe, but it's also a non-profit, community kitchen, community classroom, and test kitchen. That promotes using local products. They also just started catering for events. The space is comfy, the staff is beyond friendly (I asked the waitress to take photos of me, she was so sweet about it), and I love the view. There is just something about Gold Street that makes me feel like I'm somewhere else. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. I treated my friend to brunch and both our meals and drinks came out to a little over $20. Make sure you stop by and support them. We need more initiatives like this in our community.

Hard to find and homeless population crowding the entrance. Unable to get inside to get anything…read moreto eat.

It helps a lot. The cheese is amazing for macaroni and cheese. Queso is also yummy…read more Polite people and very kind.

What an awesome organization that provides free food to the economically challenged seniors! I…read morenever even heard of it till I had the privilege to serve them through Sagebrush Church's community event. The place is a bit tough to find because though it has a sign on the street side, the building sign is on the BACK of the building. It just says "ECHO" and there's only one way to get there because the other end of the parking lot is fenced off. Anyway, the warehouse has a very efficient system how they pack their packets. We got to prepare probably 500-600 packets that day. I was told those in need just have to prove their income and bring their utility bill and they receive the food that day. If you know of any seniors over 65 in need, please spread the word!

Female staff are mean as snakes except the one nice black lady, who actily speaks to the clients…read morewith respect... Food is usually undercooked chicken or nasty vegan breads that didn't sell at Trader Joe's. They have 20 kinds of spices in the kitchen but staff doesn't bother to use them. Joy Junction in one word: Crap in the name of Christ. They post online photos of the meals on Facebook for their DONORS (it's all about the money, they don't respect the homeless AT ALL....) every day, but don't show the bruised apples, etc. that they commonly serve almost every day... Freezers full of delicious food they don't bother to cook.... They have salad dressing but usually don't bother to use any. Try having salad every day for three weeks with no dressing, yuck. Seniors can't eat any of the salads cuz they're full of hard-to-eat vegetables that you can't eat with teeth or gum issues. They make residents 'volunteer' 20 hours a week even if they have chronic pain. They make people take the gravel outside even when it's 20 degrees outside and they have no gloves.... They staff at the gatehouse work 'security' but have not even a knife to defend themselves. Once there was an armed person on the premises and they did nothing to protect the 'volunteers' at the guard shack. ('Volunteering' is required or they kick you out... it's dishonest to call it 'volunteering' since that's a lie and Christians should not lie....' But staff lies in word and deed to protect their precious reputation... Six of the paid staff have narcissistic disorder (I've written two books on psych and I know my stuff....) Any questions?

It's difficult enough to witness the masses of homeless scattered throughout our Duke City streets,…read morevirtually everywhere. Unlike so many major metropolitan areas, ABQ has very few neighborhoods delineated by income; simply put, in much of the city, doctors live next to artists who live next to drug addicts who live next to hedge fund managers. It's a weird town, just ask a taxi driver. It's also a relatively temperate place to huddle down if you don't have a home. Well, until November, that is. As a father, this time of year is exceptionally difficult to imagine from the point of view (and starved belly) of a homeless kid. Freezing, cursed to suffer life's ravages through no fault of their own, there are many, many more of them than you'll see standing near a freeway entrance. I heard the official number on the radio this morning: 1 in 30 U.S. children will experience homelessness this year. I'm betting that ratio is inordinately higher in this city. Joy Junction is New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter. I've visited a few times, only to pick up my daughter, who has donated a fair amount of time feeding the residents. A drive along the property spells out the culture within: underfunded, overwhelmed, people barely survive beyond serious struggle, here. There's plenty of sadness, dispute and tough stuff happening here everyday. All of it tucked deep into the South Valley far away from Tanoan and Ridgecrest. My impression is that the organization does the very best it can with limited resources. This holiday season, consider donating your time, money or material possessions (they have a terrific thrift store and donation center). They can use every last bit of you.

I have had the wonderful opportunity to cook for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald house…read moreseveral times because my work volunteers as a guest chef once a quarter. It is a great team building experience for myself and my coworkers and it is such a rewarding experience! Truth be told, it's loads of fun! The Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico helps by "providing a home away from home" for families with a sick or injured child. During their stay there they can prepare their own meals, but almost every night, volunteers will cook for them. Anyone can volunteer! Couples, families, companies! Contact them and they can give you a calendar with open dates to come and cook! It has become something I look forward to each quarter!

I know, I know, the rating isn't exactly a big surprise, here. How does one critique a charity,…read moreother than gush? "I was going to give them five stars, but the receptionist was a jerk. One star!" Of course not. But this House is exceptionally worthy of a review, if only because when I toured the facility I learned so much about the organization and the good work they do. So here, dear reader, is an overview of what makes these clowns so special. I'll approach this from the standpoint that you don't know anything about 'em - I didn't. I knew it was a national organization, I guess, but I had no idea that this facility operates completely independent of national support. This is OUR house, and it provides assistance to the bedrock of our New Mexican population, our kids and their families. This state is one of the most rural in the country, which is why RMH is so crucial; when children become desperately ill or need serious medical attention, they're often headed to Albuquerque because, let's face it, there aren't many choices for quality medical care across the state. At RMH these families have a home. For a week, a month, two months, whatever it takes, they have a place to eat and sleep and concentrate on bonding, rather than stress about survival. All of the food is donated. The facility features rotating local chefs, so the dining options are often fabulous, and the house itself is lovely, with sitting areas and an outdoor playground and a bevy of clean, comfortable rooms. From an operational standpoint the faculty is superb, and this charity puts on a lot of great events throughout the year, Girls Night Out being the flagship fundraiser. If you've ever considered supporting this nonprofit monetarily, voluntarily, or otherwise, but have wondered how "local" it really is, I promise, this place is authentically New Mexican.