March 20, 2016

Research for Camp Hope

New Mexico State University
By: Zanoni Contreras, Tory Howells and
Andrew Worley

INTRODUCTION
When one considers urban planning we often consider ideas that are helpful to the
community. While considering these ideas we believe that it is a necessary step to understand the
effect our project can have on the community while maintaining a realistic budget in mind. Our
research we were able to gather provided us with information on how Camp Hope manages the
homeless individuals, by allowing them to establish themselves while waiting for a new home.
Our research will detail the process these individuals enter when they first enter the camp, and all
the way up until they are able to be provided the shelter of a home. While the process is equally
important, our research will also detail the analytical data associated with each step of the
process. While homelessness continues to be an issue affecting our community and many others,
we believe that the issue can be solved by proving budget friendly solution that allows for
individuals to begin to find the prover help and social services they need, while providing an
environment built on trust, respect, and community.

Pictured about is the newly rezoned Camp Hope. Photo Taken: March 8th, 2016.

METHODS
While there are many variables to consider our research focused on the unique situation that
Camp Hope found itself in and how we could improve and maintain a sustainable future for the
Camp. Our hypothesis then began to form of the following: Improvement and sustainability are
the foundation of a great community, such as Camp Hope. By creating an environment in which
every individual is treated with respect, regardless of socioeconomic status. Camp Hope is able
to be a unique and loving community which is built on the backs of volunteers, social workers
and ran by a self-governing system among the homeless in the camp community.
For research purposes we interviewed Nicole Martinez (Pictured below), executive director of
the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope. She was one of the original coordinators of the project
in 2011 when the Camp was meant to only last through winter. Her information was important to
creating our foundational knowledge of Camp Hope because she was able to provide us with
information on the beginnings of the camp until now.

Nicole Martinez,
executive director of
the Mesilla Valley
Community of Hope

Her perspective also allows us to understand how problems in the

Camp have been managed as well as the successes the camp has had
over its years of operation. By being one of the founding members of
the community she also gave us the coordination and agreements
between Camp Hope and the city of Las Cruces and its council
members. We were able to gather much information through our
interview with her but were also able to gather a few figures on the
budgetary process of the camp.

Our second interviewee was Matt Mercer, a previous resident of the

camp during the 2011 winter season, recipient of housing assistance
and current social working for the camp. His perspective was
interesting because it allows for us to understand how someone is able to process through the
camp and become well established by using the services of the camp.

Matt Mercer, a previous resident

of the camp during the 2011 winter
season

We believe that his perspective is also important because,

much like Nicole Martinez, he is able to understand the
progression the camp has made between 2011 and its
current state. His knowledge is also important to our
research because he is able to give us further understanding
of the camp by sharing his own experiences from being a
part of the camp. And the empathy between himself and
homeless people, since he has been in that position.

RESULTS
Our results show a camp that is built on morals and respect, regardless of your current
situation. It is a unique situation because normally a city is not willing to allow homeless citizens
to camp in city owned land. But Camp Hope has achieved this by working with city officials,
and social services, and fellow homeless citizens. By working together in 2011 the camp was
able to begin the foundations of a very special camp, Camp Hope. We discovered that the rules
of the camp provide a realistic approach to handling problems that may arise.
The rules of the camp become an important foundation for respect because they allow for
each citizen of the camp to be held accountable with clearly defined rules. By holding
themselves and others accountable to these rules the camp is able to create an environment
conducive to helping homeless individuals receive the help that they need. Similarly, Matt
Mercer discussed that the Camp provides social workers the ability to assist homeless individuals
rather than having to locate these individuals elsewhere. Before the camp was established
workers who wished to seek out and help the homeless were forced to attempt to discover their
temporary homes on their own, there was no central location such as Camp Hope. Not only has
Camp Hope provided shelter for homeless individuals but it also allows for social programs to
better assist them. We believe that this is important for the homeless community to receive
assistance because high level of mental disorders among the homeless (The Prevalence of
Mental disorders among the Homeless in Western Countries, 2008).

An improvement we discovered while

talking to Nichole Martinez, is that often times
when tents are donated the quality of the tent
can vary. She discussed with us that cheaper
tents may only last a month, compared to
higher quality tents that my last up to a year or
longer. The quality is important for these tents
because of the constant impact of weather. We
want to be able to provide the residents with
high quality tents so that weather is a minor issue. This information was important because, if we
are able to return lower quality tents and save to buy higher quality ones, it could be a better use
of resources. (Note that this is assuming the camp has the chance to be picky about tents).

Pictured about we can note the variety of tents the current present at Camp Hope.

Interestingly enough, our research also lead us to discover the rise in rent and the
correlation this has had on increasing the number of homeless individuals. (Housing for all,
2016). Our urban planning project is attainable for a city because our proposal understands the
need for providing services but always considering a budget.

An aspect of research we discovered was the need to provide lower income housing. We believe
that the availability of a variety of housing may contribute to homeless individuals (What do we
know about shortages of affordable rental housing, 2001). While our research understands these
factors, we did not conduct further research into this area.
Our last, and most important, discovery of the research lead us to understand that this camp is
founded on respect for every individual. While this idea is not clearly stated to camp residents, it
is made clear from every interaction residents have with each other. We believe that the camp has
found so much impact and success because every member is heard and each feels a sense of
responsibility in the camp. Every resident of Camp Hope is required to work a minimum of six
hours every week. We believe that this was important because it allows for every resident to feel
personally invested in the Camp and thus creates a stronger sense of community.
Of the many aspects we discussed, we believe that by understand the impact these factors have
on the camp we will then be able to continue the sustainability the camp has had for the past few
years. We believe that while the camp is able to enjoy the successes it has today, we must be able
to understand the troubles of the past so that the camp may see a bright future. The level of
impact that Camp Hope has had on the homeless is unmeasurable, thus we ask for the city for its
continued support of the camp
by allowing its residents to stay
at their current location. Without
the support of the city and its
coordination with Nichole
Martinez and Camp Hope
residents we would not have the
successful situation we see
today. While the camp have also
made great improvements in the
past serval years we believe that
without the continued support of
volunteers and donations that
The entrance to Camp Hope, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
the camp will not be able to
continue and succeed. We must optimize our donations and volunteers so that we are able to
better help our current residents and potential new comers.

CONCLUSION

While Camp Hope continues to positively impact the community, we believe that the
continuation of support from the city and its people will provide for us to create an even better
situation. The unmeasurable impact Camp Hope has had on the community is only the beginning
for the possibilities the camp has. Our city prides itself on the unique community and culture that
represents southern New Mexico, we have the chance to further impact our citizens and create
hope and opportunity by helping those most in need. If we wish to keep Las Cruces beautiful a
great place to start by helping our own members of the community.

Bibliography
Nelson, K. P. (2001). What do we know about shortages of affordable rental housing. Testimony
before the House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee of Housing and
Community Opportunity May 3, 2001, 1-9. Retrieved March 6, 2016, from
financialservices.house.gov/media/pdf/050301ne.pdf.
Seena, F., Khosla, V., Doll, H., & Geddes, J. (2008, December 2). The Prevalence of Mental
Disorders among the Homeless in Western Countries: Systematic Review and MetaRegression Analysis. In PLOS Medicine. Retrieved from Google Scholar
(10.1371/journal.pmed.0050225).

Reslock, D. S. (2016). Housing for all? Planning, 82(2), 34-38. Retrieved from
http://www.planning.org/planning/index.htm
Martinez, N. (2016, March 8). Project Director. (Group 6, Interviewer)
Mercer, M. (2016, Marth 8). Previous Camp Resisdent. (Group 6, Interviewer)