Sobriety help ministry opens near Smith's

RIO RANCHO — One Day at a Time Ministry, a sobriety center that serves the homeless population, celebrated its opening July 24 at the location off of Jackie Road.

Exavier Aguilar, the founder and program director, spoke about his passion for the position.

“I always say the same. It takes a team, and this is where it all happens right here. We’ve been in existence for 12 1/2 years,” he said.

Aguilar said he is former law enforcement of 23 years in Brooklyn, California.

“I’ve learned that it doesn’t just work, incarcerating them. You got to give them something to do after they come out. And I believe that this is what it is; it’s worked,” he said.

Part of his mission, according to pamphlets he handed out at the ribbon cutting, is to “provide men and women in recovery, through discipline and structure, the opportunity to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

It also states the goal is to build a foundation for people to live free from substance abuse and/or homelessness. The program helps people get into homes where they can’t be tempted to use, according to the pamphlet.

Aguilar thanked Rio Rancho for the opportunity to “keep going forward.” He also thanked the people that helped make the Rio Rancho location possible, adding that it takes a team to do so.

The services provided include furnished and clean bedrooms, maintained space and kitchen and laundry facilities.

For a person to keep living in that home, they are required to have a job or legal source of income; attend church, Bible study and prayer groups plus a recovery program; keep substances out of the home at all times; and follow house rules.

The faith that goes with the program was highlighted at the celebration with Rio Rancho Church of Christ Minister Raymond Archibeque leading a prayer with Aguilar at his side.

“Father God, we thank you for Exavier and the ministry that he has begun here. As he said, it took many hands, and I’m sure it took many days. So, we ask your blessing upon this ministry upon the staff, upon all the individuals that have taken part in it, the lives that are being changed and transformed so that they can truly know what a new day, a new horizon looks like,” he said with a bowed head.

He also prayed for people receiving services from the program get a “double dose” of God’s spirit.

One Day at a Time is a nonprofit organization. For more information, call 505-697-7781.