Good Shepherd Center
Charity unlimited,
since 1951.
We shelter, feed, and walk alongside our homeless and less fortunate neighbors — offering recovery, housing help, meals, and a door that's open with respect and compassion.
Founded on one idea from Brother Mathias: charity unlimited.
Good Shepherd Center has served Albuquerque's homeless and less fortunate neighbors since 1951. We're a mission of the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, and we serve with respect and compassion — providing the sustainable resources, services, and programs that meet the most basic needs.
Visit the Order's WebsiteOur Values
Hospitality
An environment where people feel welcomed, comfortable, understood, esteemed, and loved.
Respect
Recognizing God's gifts in every person, regardless of age, situation, culture, or background.
Quality
Working toward centers of excellence, with continuous improvement in how we serve.
Responsibility
Cooperation that promotes competence, efficiency, and accountability in our mission.
Spirituality
Nurturing a brighter, richer life through suffering and struggle — with confidence and joy.
FreshStart: a path to lasting recovery.
FreshStart is a no-charge, two-part recovery and reentry program that takes participants from early, structured recovery to independent, sober living. It pairs a curriculum with a phased system of privileges that expands as participants show responsibility. Progress is measured by class count and demonstrated responsibility — not time served.
Ready for a FreshStart?
Print or share the one-page flyer — curriculum, earned privileges, the five phases, and how to enroll.
Download FlyerInterview
Interviews for admission are held throughout the week. Call ahead for more information.
The Two-Part Curriculum
Part One: Serenity Recovery Program
16 modules, three one-hour sessions a week — one module per week, 48 classes total. Every skill is taught through the Serenity Prayer's pillars: Acceptance, Courage, Wisdom, blending the Matrix Model with SMART Recovery. It's a rotating "wheel" — join any time and complete modules in any order. Topics include HALT, anger, boundaries, accountability, grief, forgiveness, relationships, loneliness, triggers, and self-awareness.
Part Two: LifeSkills
8 self-contained, need-based sessions, one hour weekly on Thursdays, in any order. Begins in Phase 4 (Transitional). Covers relapse prevention, employment, financial literacy, housing, healthy relationships, self-care, community support, and legal navigation — real-world content, with each session ending in a worksheet the participant keeps.
Residential Phases
1. No Contact
Classes 1–6
No leaving property, visitors, or phone calls; attend all classes and meetings.
2. Supervised Contact
Classes 7–24
Scheduled visitors only; outbound calls Mon/Wed/Fri 10am–12pm, 10-minute limit; attend all classes and meetings.
3. Electronics, Pass & Day Off
Classes 25–48
Electronics returned; day off assigned; 4-hour daily pass; all classes; all 12-step meetings except on day off.
4. Transitional
LifeSkills begins
4-hour daily pass; 12-hour pass on day off; LifeSkills weekly (Thursday); 3 Good Shepherd 12-step meetings per week.
Graduate
—
No passes required; 1 Good Shepherd 12-step meeting per week.
Two Progress Passports — one for the Serenity Recovery Program and one for LifeSkills — record completion module by module and session by session, regardless of the order participants complete them in. FreshStart builds internal recovery tools first, then the practical scaffolding of independent life, while privileges return gradually as trust is earned.
Questions about FreshStart? Call the Center at 505-243-2527.
Contact the CenterEight ways we meet people where they are.
FreshStart Recovery
A two-part recovery and reentry program, from structured recovery to independent living.
Overnight Shelter
Overnight and temporary shelter for men, with showers available.
Respite Beds
For men recovering from illness or injury. Referred by UNM Hospital or Healthcare for the Homeless.
Daily Meals
Open to everyone — no referral needed.
Men's Clothing
Distributed at 614 2nd Street, across from the Center.
Mail Service
Mail pickup for homeless or transient people, at the front desk.
Housing Program
Housing vouchers using a housing-first model. Apply through NM Coalition to End Homelessness.
nmceh.org/homelesssupport →Referrals
We connect guests to other community services when we're not the right fit.
Join us at an upcoming event.
Our events raise vital support for the guests we serve and celebrate the community that makes our mission possible.
75th Annual Brother Mathias Celebration & Dinner
A Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner celebrating 75 years of the Center's ministry, held every year on Brother Mathias' birthday, St. Patrick's Day.
Looking for more? We'll post new events here as they're scheduled — you can also follow Good Shepherd Center on Facebook or call 505-243-2527 for the latest.
Every gift is tax deductible.
We're a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Give directly, send goods, or reach out — we'll keep your information confidential, never sold or shared.
Send Goods
Food, gently worn men's clothing, shoes, belts, bags, and blankets — no furniture or mattresses.
Amazon WishlistPhysical Donations
Drop off goods in person at the Center.
218 Iron Avenue SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
505-243-2527, ext. 100Give by Card
One-time or recurring gifts by credit or debit card — no PayPal account required.
Donate by CardGive by PayPal
No fees taken from your donation — it transfers directly, PayPal to PayPal.
Donate via PayPalQuestions about giving? Call us at 505-243-2527.
Visit, call, or write.
- 📍218 Iron Avenue SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Mailing: P.O. Box 749, Albuquerque, NM 87103 - 📞505-243-2527
- 🖨️Fax 505-247-0631
- ✉️gsc@gscnm.org
- 📘facebook.com/gscnm.org
To serve, with respect and compassion, the most vulnerable in our community by providing sustainable resources, services, and programs that meet the most basic needs.
Tax ID 85-0384940 · 501(c)3 NonprofitThe Thanksgiving Newsletter.
News from the Center, words from our guests, and how you can help this season. Turn the pages below.
Tap the page edges, swipe, or use the arrow keys to turn pages.