Former Gateway West resident secures full-time job and housing support through city program

Elijah Mcallister always believed that one day, he would find a home, a job, and a way out of Gateway West — the largest homeless shelter in Albuquerque.

Coming from New Jersey, Mcallister, 47, found himself at Gateway West after a series of unfortunate events left him without a steady income or a place to sleep. Determined to move forward and find his purpose, Mcallister reached out to the Duke City Community Ambassadors to begin rebuilding his life.

A Better Way Forward — a city initiative launched in December — aims to tackle the growing homelessness crisis in Albuquerque by offering full-time employment to individuals residing in shelters like Gateway West. Through the program, participants work with the Duke City Ambassadors on various maintenance and hospitality tasks, including graffiti removal, sidewalk cleanup and city beautification projects.

“I see the Duke City Ambassadors out there every day, picking up trash, cleaning, and being representatives for our town — you can really feel the difference they’re making,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “It’s not just about cleaning up, it’s about pride and purpose. Connecting this with the Better Way Forward program means folks are getting meaningful work and helping our city shine at the same time.”

Since the beginning of A Better Way Forward, the program has seen six people graduate, with nine people currently participating. Two people, including Mcallister, have taken full-time positions with Duke City Ambassadors. The other four graduates have gone on to find full-time employment elsewhere, and one was able to purchase a mobile home after the program.

The city continues to struggle with a rising number of homeless people. The city’s Point in Time count in 2024 determined there were 2,749 individuals experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque, which marked a 14% increase from the year before, but advocates believe the number could be higher.

Gateway West currently has 86 out of 630 beds available, an occupancy of 85% as of Tuesday night. Across all the Gateway shelters, 807 beds were occupied as of Thursday afternoon. Overall, the Gateway Network has housed 6,766 people for at least one night since the beginning of the fiscal year — July 1, 2024 — according to Connor Woods, spokesperson for the city’s Health, Housing and Homelessness department.

Mcallister stayed at Gateway West for over a year, and said he has seen a lot of changes in the shelter, both good and bad.

The former jail turned shelter had its struggles with ADA accessibility, proper sewage systems and a staffing shortage. In September 2024, Gateway West shelter was renovated, adding new beds, increased privacy in bathroom areas and lockable storage.

Since joining the program, Mcallister has transitioned into a permanent, full-time position with the Duke City Ambassadors. He has moved out of Gateway West and into temporary housing, with plans to settle into a permanent home in coming months. Through Albuquerque Community Safety, the ambassador program and the city’s Health, Housing and Homelessness department, graduates get help finding permanent housing in their budget, though it is up to them to secure a home.

“The program actually helped get me out of there, so I am dealing with ACS (Albuquerque Community Safety) and they are finding me housing and things of that nature,” Mcallister said.

Each morning, Mcallister starts his day by going into key areas of Albuquerque, including Downtown, Nob Hill or Central Avenue, to patrol sidewalks and streets, cleaning up debris and graffiti along the way. He also provides hospitality services, like help with directions or guidance on city services.

“It’s a great feeling being able to help others as well as helping yourself,” Mcallister said. “It gives you a sense of dignity and pride, and I think we all need that as people to have something to look forward to.”

Mcallister is paid $12 an hour. Deiandra Cole, operations manager for Duke City Community Ambassadors, said the pay rate is intentional to ensure that program participants remain eligible to receive Medicaid and food stamps, benefits that many people living in the Gateway Network rely on.

Mcallister wants other people who were in a similar position to him to know that there is hope.

“They did a lot for me, transitioning me from Gateway West to having my own space,” he said. “I want that for other people in that same position, and I want to be a shining star for them to see that if I could do it, you can do it.”