Reportedly, American anthropologist Margaret Mead once made a statement regarding our ability to change the world, and the quotation — authentic or not — has been shared widely.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
If this were true, then those of us looking for positive change in the world would definitely want to be part of a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens.
Looking back at world history, it appears to me that large groups of thoughtless, treacherous people are also capable of changing the world.
Nevertheless, the Margaret Mead quote offers a measure of hope.
Last week, a small group of thoughtful, committed Pagosa Springs citizens made a presentation to the Archuleta Board of County Commissioners at their morning work session. The presentation included representatives from three small Pagosa-based groups of committed citizens:
Friends and Neighbors in Need
Rise Above Violence
Pagosa Outreach Connection
All of these small groups are supported by community donations — as opposed to, say, corporate profits or taxation — and all were formed to serve local individuals and families who find themselves in desperate situations. The newest of the three groups is FaNiN, Friends and Neighbors in Need, founded by Pagosa residents Barbara Hendricks and Leonard Martinez, with a particular focus on people in emergency situations.
FaNiN completed its first year of operation in September 2025, and resulted from several faith-based communities — St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, the Community United Methodist Church, and the IHM/JPII Catholic Community — being called on to provide help and support to those in need.
From a Daily Post article by Leonard Martinez, posted last December:
Looking at what was available in terms of resource, it was discovered there is no place in Archuleta County to provide emergency support for our friends and neighbors in need.
Two operating principles were established at FaNiN: The dignity and respect for the person/family needing help is paramount and relying on the principles espoused in Bridges Out of Poverty would be deployed. The Community Foundation of SW Colorado agreed to be the fiscal agent. A $12,000 annual budget was determined and the LPEA Round Up Foundation provided $10,000 to help get the nonprofit started… FaNiN operates based on finding folks in need, one phone call to determine if the need is an emergency — and because resources have been distributed in the form of gas/food cards and vouchers, resource is released with advice where to go to get systemic support.
Pagosa Outreach Connection, Archuleta Seniors Inc, Rise Above Violence, Pagosa Community Initiative, and Department of Human Services refer folks to FaNiN to address emergency situations.
Also presenting last Tuesday were two representatives from Rise Above Violence, including executive director Carmen Lewis and housing advocate Kristen Bair.
Unlike newly-formed FaNiN, Rise Above Violence has a relatively long history in Pagosa Springs — 30 years — focused on helping victims of domestic violence and sexual violence. But as with FaNiN, the Rise clients are often in an emergency situation, often needing to quickly find safe shelter for themselves and their children.
From the Rise website:
Rise Above Violence (Rise) is a private nonprofit organization. Our primary mission is to assist victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. We work to ensure victims rights are exercised and needs met.
Through the support of grants, donations, fund-raising efforts and volunteers Rise provides immediate crisis intervention available 24 hours a day by an advocate trained to listen and provide support.
While our advocates are not professional counselors, they do understand. They are trained to assess your needs identify and discuss your options, access available services and provide information and referrals to other agencies available to help with your long-term issues. Rise also has a court advocate on staff to explain and assist with the legal process, including help with filing of restraining orders.
The third small, committed group represented on Tuesday was Pagosa Outreach Connection, another organization with a relatively long history in Pagosa Springs. POC is a volunteer-led group of local agencies, churches, and community members who have come together since 2002 to provide short-term support to Archuleta County residents facing unexpected financial crises.
From the POC ‘Application for Assistance’:
Rooted in compassion and collaboration, POC meets weekly to carefully consider each request and help neighbors stay housed, employed, and secure during difficult times. To be included in the upcoming review, please submit your completed application and all required documentation by Monday at 12:00 noon. Applications can be dropped off at the Community United Methodist Church (434 Lewis St.) or the Archuleta County Department of Human Services (550 Hot Springs Blvd., Suite A), using the designated drop boxes at either location.
Application guidelines:
- The applicant must be a resident of Archuleta County.
- The applicant must normally be self-sufficient.
- The applicant must be experiencing emergency financial hardship.
- The application must be filled out completely with supporting documentation.
- Funding cannot be used for deposits or late fees.
- Funding is limited to $1500.
You can download the POC application for assistance here.
All three of these non-profit groups are supported by private donations.
To what extent should the Board of County Commissioners — for example — be supporting these groups with taxpayer revenues?
That was the question lingering in the room at the conclusion of the presentation…