Barrett House is an emergency shelter for women and their children who find themselves without a place to call home. Women and children may stay at the house for up to two weeks while the staff assists them in securing permanent housing. Nearly 20 years ago Brother Mathias Barrett founded the original shelter in downtown Albuquerque. The five-foot Irishman said, “We just have to do something for the ladies on the street…” and that is what he set out to do. The woman had lost her parents as a child and was brought to the United States through the Catholic Church. She later married and had two children. One fateful day, her husband and both children were killed in an accident and she simply lost her will to live. After losing her job and her home, she found herself on the doorstep of the Barrett House. They assisted her in getting back on her feet. She will always suffer the grief of the loss of her family, but is grateful for the hand that Barrett House gave her when she had no where else to turn. Dorothee also runs a tight ship that ensures the safety of every resident. There has never been an incident where violence has erupted or the police were involved. Touring the house, you will see clean rooms decorated with furniture that was donated by American Furniture in Albuquerque. As you wander from the kitchen to the beautifully landscaped grounds, every room and hallway has modern art and décor—it is a place where short-term residents can step back into the world, look for employment, and feel hope for a new and better day. Dorothee says, “These women hustle to get a job. When they announce their secured employment, they are so proud!” While the facility addresses the immediate needs of women in providing safe emergency housing, they also serve as a resource for other social services that include short-term and long-term life planning. The premise of the programs at Barrett House is such that, “if you treat people with dignity, they feel worthy, and become self-sufficient again. They may be temporarily homeless, but they’re not helpless.” Dorothee emphasizes that the children that come through the house will grow up, and how they are treated at this difficult time in their life will have a lasting affect. The house provides shelter for up to 43 homeless women and children every night, and is run almost entirely on the generosity of New Mexico businesses and residents. Barrett House is a place where homeless women and their children will find a hand up, not a handout. They need your help this holiday season and throughout the year to continue building futures for the women and children of New Mexico. Barrett Foundation, Inc.
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When you walk into the Barrett House in Albuquerque, your first impression is that of warmth—the heart-felt warmth of the Barrett House staff—many of whom are volunteers. You are greeted with a smile that says, “Welcome home.”
Renita Freeman, MA, CCRP, is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience in healthcare quality improvement and medical research. She enjoys writing human-interest stories. She also writes articles that focus on health and safety issues in the medical field.