P.M.GRAN.TE (People of Marginalized Genders Reclaiming, Affirming, Nurturing, and Teaching Each other) is a mutual-aid peer resource focusing on the needs of gender marginalized people (i.e. anyone who is a woman, non-binary, or trans) who also are experiencing disproportionate stigma, criminalization, risk of violence, and income/housing insecurity.
The majority of our regular participants are unhoused Chicanas staying in traditionally under resourced neighborhoods. We are structuring slowly using a participatory model in partnership with our peer organizers and participants. We’ve been hosting weekly Wednesday drop in events for a little over a year now and in December moved into The Ethos, 615 E. Mesa Ave., as a new permanent location.
We combine resources from organizational partnerships that includes the Vivent Health Prevention Pueblo team, the El Movimiento Sigue Transforming Justice Project, ACES School of Creative Expression, and the Rouge Support Network.
On the third Wednesday of the month, we do what we call our Liberation Wednesdays. On those days, we work on collaboratively developing our group structure, have community organizing and advocacy training opportunities, and do short creative writing and art wellness prompts about issues our participants face.
Our program as described by one of our participants:
Big shout out to Pueblo, CO, and all its glorious Genté! Here’s letting you know about a small group of hard working volunteers. They’re doing exciting things at The Ethos. They offer free testing for STDs
and everything from hot soup, food, hygiene, clothing and lots of moral support to any who come. There’s always smiling, kindness, empathy and overall positive vibes. I recommend it to any and all who
might need a little help and friendship.
Testimonies about the personal impact of the harm reduction services in town:
I think it’s absolutely crazy to stop the harm reduction program. The reason that they are there is to help our community. Maybe there are some people that don’t quite understand the help given. The health reasons are really amazing! When an addict wants to use needles at that moment they will use anything available for the most part. Having clean needles prevents those from contracting blood diseases that can harm/kill them and possibly spread to others. They also offer Narcan and I have aided in helping someone overdosing. Had I not been there with the Narcan provided I believe my friend would be dead. Remember although we are addicts we are someone’s child, friend, mother… and I am so grateful for the harm reduction place. Please don’t shut them down!
-CV
I do not use needles but I do pick up needles left on the ground from alleys, parks, sidewalks, parking lots, stoplight crosswalks, bus stops, and my front yard!!! I walk everywhere to build my muscle tone and strength back after chemo and radiation. If it wasn’t for the drop boxes by the Ethos and on Northern I would have to put them in my private dumpsters that are gone through by homeless and poor people just trying to make it. I don’t want them to get poked by the used needles. Drop boxes are essential for safety!
-SV
My journey at this moment in my life now that I’m sober for 6 months I’m working on getting good employment and getting permanent housing so I’m no longer in a motel and in a place for myself. So traveling around looking for employment is Number 1. I’m also happy to say I’m in the process of moving into an apartment with my daughter which is great for my sobriety. My sobriety is the most important for me. I’m so happy and proud of myself and who I’ve become at this time in my life.
-AM
I was having a hard time in my life when I went to the needle exchange for some help. There I met C. Ever since then she has been a positive person in my life. So to have access to people that help so many people out that need it has been a blessing. That outlet has helped me a whole lot. And I’m just one person. I’m sure there is so many more people who can say the same. More people in that field can be a tremendous help in the community.
-AN
I have an opinion that we need more places like the needle exchange. I have been going there for the last two years because I am homeless, I have gone there to get help with food and resources because there are not a lot of places that help with meals and snacks I also go there to talk to the staff when I’m going through hard times I feel like we need more places around Pueblo and in places where the homeless are. We need more care for the homeless and I feel like this would help our homeless community.
-CN
Love letters to community:
You are enough
You are loved
You are not forgotten
Together we will be enough
Together we will be loved
Together we are not forgotten
Together strong and fierce forever
-CA?
If you could build a system for your community, what would it look like?
I would like to bring a homeless center that would let you find housing and clothing and help with getting clean and needles, shoes etc… I want someone who understands and who has been there and been through it to work there so they feel comfortable.
-CR
I would love for everyone to have a safe haven. A place where you can go and not ever have to worry about yourself or even others around you.
-NM
One thing I would love to bring to the community is building, learning, and gaining more knowledge for nonprofit organizations and what I could bring to the community. One wish or idea I have is turning the Kmart buildings in town into homeless shelters with showers within to help the homeless.
-AW
In my community something I think would be great to have is more places for homeless to be. Not only to sleep but also to hang out so they stay out of trouble and off the streets. Where we have somewhere we can be comfortable and in our own space.
-D
My perfect community would of course be no homeless people but most of all nobody would be judged on whether they are homeless, poor, rich, anything but by the kindness of your heart and how you want to live. Being homeless I’ve been judged as a lower class person. I’m always looked at like I’m going to steal or hurt someone. I want everyone to have to work not look for a job everyone is given a job on helping with the community grow everyone is given same amount same house same everything so nobody is ever judged again it’s very hateful being judged on your housing.
-AN
