Service   
ASTRA  an acronym formed from Ability, Service, Training, Responsibility, Achievement
Astra is. . .

• A volunteer organization for young people, sponsored by local Altrusa Clubs as part of their  program of community service
• ASTRA clubs are composed of young people between the ages of 12 and 25
• An opportunity to use your time and talent to enrich the lives of others
• Working with other local civic and volunteer groups on service projects of lasting benefit
• Interaction with the business, professional and civic leaders who are members of the sponsoring Altrusa Club

ASTRA Goals are . . .

• To provide opportunities for personal development, career planning and preparation, leadership training and citizenship development
• To foster the concept of service through practical application in school and community

See some ASTRA Clubs around the District and International http://www.altrusainternationalofdelta.com/resources/ASTRA+back+page+03-12-08.pdf  Delta, CO
http://altrusa.blogspot.com/search/label/ASTRA  Montrose, CO
Let’s start some ASTRA clubs in Albuquerque and get our young people involved in the community. A positive outlet for our young citizens.

Teen Parenting Simulation Reality Works ®
Computerized doll, placed with high school teachers, accompanied by a well planned curriculum designed to discourage teen pregnancy. Altrusa has purchased over 100 “babies” well over $30K and continue to support replacement and maintenance.  Recently we purchased 2 babies for Polk Middle School.  

Niños de la Calle (Children of the Street)
We have adopted a project in Mexico City. We heard about it from a former member who was born in Mexico and her mother helped out this organization. It is a group home that rescues children from the streets of Mexico City. They are throw away kids pressed into selling drugs, prostitution and stealing. Many are hooked on drugs. They are brought in and given a home in this organization, there is a doctor, they receive drug rehabilitation and help the organization by baking and selling bread on the streets. At last count, there were 70 children, ranging in age from 2 months to 22 years. They are not put up for adoption, but are raised and educated there. Altrusa Club of Albuquerque, donated $600 to fund a tutor for the children for one year. We are exploring other ways to help the home

Nursing Scholarship
The Lena Clauve Vocational Scholarship Award is a renewable award to a student pursuing a degree in Nursing. 

Download Scholarship Application contact E-mail:  aspoteat@comcast.net

  
Make a Difference Day Project 2007
Outfits for the children.
Given sizes of needy children in 3 elementary schools, (some included siblings at home) we collected new and gently used clothes from collaborating thrift stores and put together a complete outfit for each child. We ran out of used shoes, and members purchased what was needed. For more information about the thrift store Mano en Mano see   http://nmchwa.com
We included a book in each bag. For 2008, we have received books from First Book ABQ  http://ireadaloud.com/

We outfitted 38 children this year (2007), and when we were delivering the clothes, one mother was there to get her son's package. He was at home sick, but it was that important to her. The impact was on the entire family.
13 volunteers = 146 hours
We purchase new underwear and socks and provide some to the school nurse to hand out as needed.

Literacy
Since Fall 2005 we have provided each Mountain View Elementary School 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade student with a new hard bound dictionary for their own use. It is theirs to take home and can carry them through high school. We provide the teacher’s room with three dictionaries for use in the classroom. We have provided the ‘Altrusa Store’, an incentive to encourage reading and use of the dictionaries. Given tickets for good work, Altrusans staffed the Altrusa Store once a month so the students could redeem the tickets and shop at the Altrusa Store, for pens, pencils, gadgets, books, jewelry, toys, etc. Distribution is on or near World Literacy Day September 8.

Altrusa members Getting ready for the dictionary distribution. The students don’t leave the area without their name written in their dictionary.