An Albuquerque-based nonprofit has spent more than a decade simply "paying attention" to women struggling with homelessness, addiction, working in the sex industry, and those being forced into it through their lives on the streets.
Street Safe New Mexico is an all-volunteer organization that goes along with "a harm-reduction philosophy by striving to reduce the harmful consequences associated with life on the street," according to the group's website.
"We've just spent our time trying to make sure that remains our focus and that we never lose sight of the focus of paying attention," Christine Barber, Street Safe New Mexico's CEO and co-founder, told the New Mexico Sun. "As simple as it sounds, it's like that means we know the girls' names, we know if we haven't seen them for a couple of weeks."
Alongside Cindy Jaramillo, Barber founded Street Safe New Mexico in 2009 after the bodies of 11 women were found buried in West Mesa. An investigation revealed they were all the victims of a serial killer who had been targeting women living on the street.
Barber, who was volunteering at a homeless shelter when she met Jaramillo, wondered how these women disappeared without anyone noticing. Jaramillo shared her own story of living on the streets and surviving being kidnapped and tortured by David Parker Ray, the Toy Box serial killer.
The two women then made it their mission to form an organization dedicated to helping women on the streets.
"The women are completely amazing as is," Barber said. "If they're homeless, if they're doing dates, whatever, none of that matters. They're amazing as is. If they choose to no longer do those things then they are welcome to talk to us. If they don't choose that, they are welcome to talk to us. It does not change our opinion of them as being amazing people."
Street Safe now plans to open the Salon, which will act as a safe haven for women looking for information on how to get off the streets and get back to a safe lifestyle.
"It's gonna be basically a drop-in center, a daytime center," Barber said. "So, it's a safe place for women to come during the day."
Once a 1950s hair salon, the Salon will be a place for women to come inside and sit, use the bathroom, shower, pick up necessities such as feminine hygiene products, clothing and blankets. Barber hopes to also provide these women with other resources such as STD testing, job training, GED courses, legal help and peer support.
The group currently helps about 200 different women per week by loading their van with clothes and supplies and bringing it directly to different areas of the city.
Volunteers also compile and hand out a "Bad Guys List," which is also posted on the website. The list warns women about men known to be bad actors, the types of vehicles they drive, and other information based on previous encounters.