Local nonprofit ramps up the gift of access – for free

Entering your own home sounds easy enough, but, if you have mobility challenges, it’s often easier said than done. A new chapter of the New Mexico Ramp Project in Valencia County is helping by building ramps for older adults and people with mobility issues.

In the past several months, a volunteer group with the First Presbyterian Church of Belen has completed four such projects in various communities.

Jerry Kuyk, pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Belen, said Bill Schattschneidler, team leader for Valencia County, approached the church with the idea.

“He thought it was something we could get involved with,” Kuyk said.

One unique aspect of NMRP is that it gives volunteers materials and pricing spreadsheets, as well as isometric images of various ramp modules, which can be built off site and assembled at the client’s home. The church has storage space for the raw materials and ramp modules, which is a big benefit to the project, the pastor said.

Because the nonprofit does not evaluate the medical or financial needs of prospective clients, it doesn’t take referrals directly from clients.

Kuyk said potential clients are asked to contact their health care provider or caseworker, and ask that they fill out a request for a ramp at nmramp. org.

Even though the group has completed only a handful of projects, the pastor said the work is immensely satisfying. “It’s very moving to see someone walk up the ramp with ease,” he said.

Greg Hallstrom, executive director of the New Mexico Ramp Project, said there are 10 teams around the state, in Hobbs, Las Cruces, Española, Artesia, Albuquerque and now Valencia County. The New Mexico organization is actually a spin off of the Texas Ramp Project, he said.

“They (the Texas corporation) were building ramps in Las Cruces and felt it appropriate to have a New Mexico organization, rather than pulling resources from Texas,” Hallstrom said. “Texas developed the program, but we put our own spin on it (with the modules). I’m actually sliding out of the picture in Valencia County. My job is to train the local team and go away.”

Volunteers are taught rampbuilding techniques, provided tools and materials, and guided through the process of building a ramp. The ramps are free to homeowners, Hallstrom said, and some will donate funds to the organization, but it’s not required.

If you need a ramp, or know someone who does, call 505583-3832 or visit nmramp.org to fill out a request form. To help the Project, you can volunteer your time building ramps or contribute funds. Each ramp costs an average of $2,000 in materials.

The New Mexico Ramp Project is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit. People are identified by local health care providers and organizations with knowledge of the individual’s financial and medical condition. The organization’s vision is that no NM resident lacks safe access due to financial limitations.