Voices of Alamogordo Forum Tuesday 6 pm to Highlight Unhoused Community Support: Dream Center, Runner’s Refuge, and 100% Otero Join Forces in Dialogue

Alamogordo, NM — Community leaders addressing homelessness and housing insecurity in Otero County will converge for an open forum discussion on the Alamo City Dream Center, a groundbreaking initiative designed to provide comprehensive support to the unhoused population.

The Voices of Alamogordo Community Forum takes place Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM as a free, salon-style discussion produced by 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News and KALH Radio at Otero Arts 1118 Indiana Ave. 

Featured Panelists Bring Direct Experience with Unhoused Communities

The forum will feature three key voices working on the frontlines of homelessness support in Alamogordo:

Wendy Urquuidez, Runner’s Refuge — Urquuidez a volunteer in the operations for Runner’s Refuge, a food and resource center that serves approximately 175 people several days a week through donations alone. At a recent City Commission meeting, Urquuidez highlighted multi-county collaboration on homelessness funding and shared real-world examples of acute community need. “We see firsthand the gaps in services,” Urquuidez explained, underscoring the urgency of projects like the Dream Center.

Nadia Sikes, 100% Otero Housing Action Team — Sikes leads housing advocacy work for 100% Otero, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to eliminating childhood trauma while ensuring all county residents have access to ten vital services for surviving and thriving, with housing as a cornerstone. As a commissioner on the Eastern Regional Housing Authority (ERHA) Board, Sikes has documented homeless encampments throughout the county and advocated for systemic change. “The homelessness crisis in Alamogordo and communities across the state and country must be addressed,” Sikes has emphasized. “We have to support organizations working to make housing accessible to all.”

Alamo City Dream Center Representative — A spokesperson from Mountain View Church’s Dream Center initiative will present details on the facility’s mission and services.

The Alamo City Dream Center: A New Resource for Alamogordo

The Alamo City Dream Center represents a major expansion of community support for people experiencing homelessness. Originally conceived by Pastor Anthony Torres and his wife Sasha Torres of Mountain View Church, the Dream Center builds on a decade of emergency shelter operations, free funeral services, and disaster relief that has served hundreds of families.

The proposed facility will provide:

• Emergency shelter with showers and laundry facilities

• Hot meals and a soup kitchen serving free community meals Monday–Friday starting at 4:00 p.m.

• Storm shelter and emergency disaster relief capacity

• Stable, permanent infrastructure designed to serve Otero County residents indefinitely

In June 2026, the Alamogordo City Commission unanimously voted to allocate $200,000 in state opioid settlement funds to support the project’s development. The facility is estimated to cost approximately $1.9 million for core construction.

Addressing a Growing Crisis

The urgency of these efforts cannot be overstated. A January 2023 Point-in-Time Count documented 49 unsheltered individuals in Otero County, though advocates note the actual figure is likely higher, as this vulnerable population is difficult to count. The visible increase in homelessness downtown has prompted city leaders to balance compassionate support with public safety concerns.

Why This Forum Matters

Residents will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with practitioners working daily to address homelessness. The forum offers a rare chance to hear from:

• Direct service providers managing food distribution and emergency shelter

• Housing advocates tracking data and advocating for systemic solutions

• Faith-based leadership implementing permanent infrastructure

“These are not abstract discussions,” said one community observer. “Wendy and Nadia and the Dream Center team are doing the actual work. This forum gives people a chance to understand what’s happening and how they can support these efforts.”

Event Details

What: Voices of Alamogordo Community Forum – Alamo City Dream Center and Unhoused Discussion 

Otero Arts 1118 Indiana, Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM hosted by 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News 

Cost: Free

Format Style: Salon-style community dialog with Q&A

For more information, visit 2ndlifemediaalamogordo.town.news or follow @AlamogordoN on social media.

Supporting the Unhoused Community

Residents interested in supporting these efforts can:

• Donate to Runner’s Refuge (accepts monetary and in-kind donations)

• Volunteer with 100% Otero’s housing and community initiatives

• Contact Mountain View Church about donations or volunteering for the Dream Center

• Attend city commission meetings to advocate for housing-focused policy

“Community change happens when residents show up, ask questions, and support the organizations doing this work,” host Edwards notes. “This forum is an opportunity to learn, connect, and be part of the solution.”

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