About Us
About
At the direction of the late Archbishop Edwin V. Byrne, Brother Mathias Barrett founded the Good Shepherd Refuge on January 19, 1951. We are the oldest continuously operating homeless shelter in Albuquerque. To this day the Brothers of St. John of God continue to follow the Gospel mandate of Jesus Christ to love God and neighbor, and honor their mission to serve those in need through the direct services provided by the Good Shepherd Center.
The Good Shepherd Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Your contribution is tax deductible.
St. John of God
The pious man was born in Portugal around 1492 and died on March 8, 1550. He lived in Spain from an early age, was a shepherd and a soldier, and sold books in Granada, Spain. He suffered a breakdown and experienced a conversion of heart to realize that all that is good is from his God; from this experience, he dedicated his life to the service of the poor and unwanted in the streets of Granada.
He attracted many people to volunteer with this new ministry who also believed in the restoration of dignity of each person. He was the impetus of the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, a Catholic religious Order of Men dedicating their lives to the poor and unwanted in cities around the world, of which Good Shepherd Center is one of the many ministries.
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Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God
Men's Gold and Diamond Ring worth $800
The Bursting Pomegranate
Saint John of God's home town was Granada, Spain, whose name translates to pomegranate and is often seen as a symbol of eternal life. To the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, under whom Good Shepherd Center operates, the combined symbols of the pomegranate and the cross represent “charity and sacrifice.” The bursting fruit expresses the need for love to expand, and the cross reminds us that there can be no charity without sacrifice.
Meet the Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is a dedicated group of volunteers who meet quarterly to conduct the administrative business of the Good Shepherd Center. Officer positions are held for one year. Annual elections for office are held every November.
2023 Good Shepherd Center Board of Directors
President
Deacon Steve Rangel
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Vice President
Valentin Varela
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Treasurer
Becky Gomez
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Secretary
Rod Sanchez
Directors:
Deacon Michael Illerbrun
Patricia Stelzner
Bro Gerard Sullivan, OH
Ron Andazola
Damon Martinez
Lyn Kirkwood
Vanessa Carpenter
God is Good
Good Shepherd Center
Official Figures for Calendar Year 2022
Meal figures are calculated from data provided by Gerald Martinez. Distributed items data taken from the Clothing Room database. Bed nights, medical patient data, and program figures are calculated from our client stay database. Compiled October 2021 by Robert Tapscott.
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106,497 full meals served.
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939 Unduplicated Respite, Fresh Start, HARP and Medical Respite Guests
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27,076 Bed Nights for all programs
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Let's Talk
Contact us today - we'd love to hear from you!
Executive Director
Housing Program Manager
Debbie Lozano
debbie@gscnm.org
505-243-2527 ext. 300
Housing Program
Housing Specialist
Crystal Ratliff
crystal@gscnm.org
505-243-2527 ext. 208
Prayer Requests
You may enter names in the Book of Life, which includes requests for prayers for you and your loved ones, living and deceased, including prayers for health and special times in their lives. The Brothers pray daily for these intentions.
Our Location
Good Shepherd Center
218 Iron SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87102
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P.O. Box 749, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87103
phone: 505-243-2527
email: gsc@gscnm.org