Chaplain Joe's Street Outreach aims to outpace 2025 in sleeping bag distribution

Doug Stuart said Chaplain Joe's Street Outreach is on track to hand out more sleeping bags this year than it did in 2025. The nonprofit distributes supplies directly to people living on the streets of Santa Fe and also provides gear to other organizations. These partners include The Life Link, Health Care for the Homeless, La Sala Crisis Center, and the Street Homeless Animal Project.

Stuart has led the organization for the past year after serving as founder Joe Dudziak's deputy for five years. Dudziak died on Oct. 27, 2025, from prostate cancer at age 66. His death prompted a celebration of life in June at Franklin Miles Park, where dozens of attendees shared stories about the chaplain.

The nonprofit began its work through a chance encounter six years ago. Dudziak visited a Big 5 Sporting Goods store to buy sleeping bags in bulk. Stuart, who worked there, asked why he needed so many. Dudziak explained that he gave them away to homeless people. When Dudziak returned a second time, Stuart offered his help. That interaction launched the grassroots effort.

Stuart noted that Dudziak focused on helping people survive one more day. The idea was that if someone had what they needed to stay alive through the night, they might have the stability to make changes during the day. Stuart has seen this play out repeatedly. He said a person might use that extra day to go to detox, take a call from a family member, or get their life back on track.

Dudziak worked with Stuart for about six months after learning his cancer had returned. They created a succession plan to ensure the nonprofit would continue smoothly. Stuart said the board promised they would not let the organization die. "We're all on board for keeping it going, trying to make it better every year," Stuart said.

Local estimates from earlier this year suggest Santa Fe is short at least several hundred shelter beds compared to its homeless population. Existing shelters have been at capacity for much of the year. The Santa Fe Police Department has also increased enforcement of a policy prohibiting camping on public property. Service providers say this has led to more arrests and lost belongings during encampment sweeps.

Beverly Kellam, executive director of Interfaith Community Services, said she believes Dudziak would be heartbroken to see people fall into homelessness without safe shelter options. Kellam noted that Dudziak volunteered at the Cerrillos Road shelter for at least a decade. She believes seeing the number of people in desperate need motivated him to start his street outreach ministry. Marisol Atkins, a local consultant, said the community should support those taking action rather than assigning blame. "He didn't wait for someone to tell him what was needed, he saw a need, and he acted on his own," Atkins said.