NEW VAN

(ALBUQUERQUE, NM)— The New Mexico Veterans’ Integration Center (NMVIC) in Albuquerque will be receiving a passenger van from Bernalillo County.

The county is donating one of its 12-passenger vans due to the purchase of newer vans for countywide service.

The van will be presented by County Manager Thaddeus Lucero and Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins at a special 9am ceremony at the NMVIC, located at the Value Place Hotel …13001 Central Avenue near Tramway.

On hand to receive the keys will be NMVIC President Larry Campos and New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services Deputy Secretary Alan Martinez, whose department provides funding for the NMVIC. Also on hand will be state Representative Ed Sandoval of Albuquerque, who helped facilitate the deal for the county to donate the van.

“We are extremely grateful for this generous donation by Bernalillo County, “said NMDVS Secretary John Garcia. “This will allow the center to help transport residents to and from various programs which help homeless veterans with getting their lives back together.”

In addition to providing shelter for homeless veterans, the NMVIC provides transitional services to assist the re-integration of these veterans into society. Counseling job training skills are available for these veterans and their families.

The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs estimates there are about 7,000 homeless veterans in New Mexico.  The NMVIC leases half of the hotel’s 120-rooms to provide shelter and transitional services for homeless veterans and their families.