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Forum Redoubles Commitment to New Mexico Youth and Communities

The New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community is redoubling its efforts to support Youth in New Mexican Communities.  The Forum's Board of Directors has announced that it will establish an Operating Foundation - The Forum Foundation - to further support the organizations' commitment to support youth and communities moving to positive outcomes.  The news was communicated by Lowell Overby, Chair of the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community.

The Forum Foundation will have three main objectives:

  1. Raise funds to ensure the future success of the NM Forum for Youth in Community, its networks and initiatives.
  2. Provide technical support to the Forum, its partner institutions and organizations.
  3. Launch strategic initiatives in support of building the field of community youth development.

The Forum's current Executive Director, Everette Hill has agreed to lead the efforts in the formation and operation of the Forum Foundation as its founding Executive Director.  In this new role, he will continue to work very closely with the NM Forum for Youth in Community and provide transitional support to the next Executive Director of the Forum.  Consequently, the Board of Directors is initiating a search for the next Forum Executive Director.

To view the full text of the announcement from Lowell Overby, Chair of the Board of Directors, please click here.

New Mexico Youth...Expect the Best!

Native Health Initiative Announces Youth Leadership Opportunities

The Native Health Initiative, a partnership to address inequities in health through loving service, is looking for youth leaders to take advantage of a few upcoming opportunities. While much of our work is in American Indian/Indigenous communities, the following opportunities (and all of our programs) are open to all!  

  • "Following the Healing Ways" 2-day workshop, July 22 and 23 at UNM/CNM on leadership, higher education, and careers in health for youth 12-18 years old. Events will include meeting with health professionals, traditional healers, and doing hands-on activities to see what it is like to be a healer! This workshop is free to attend, and we have a few slots open.

  •  Call for youth to present at two upcoming conferences as part of NHI sessions on "Native Youth Leading the Way to Healthier Communities". We are looking for 2-3 groups to speak at the annual Association of American Indian Physicians conference (Sunday, Aug 8th in Albuquerque) and at the American Public Health Association conference (Sunday, Nov 3rd in Denver). If you and your youth group are doing incredible work to improve your communities, we would love to profile you in front of these national audiences.

  • "Youth Leading the Way" project grants - do you have a great idea for a project that would better the health and well-being of your community?

Apply to NHI for one of their grants to help make it happen! For more information please contact:   Anthony Fleg UNM Family and Community Medicine afleg@salud.unm.edu

Youth in Accion – Martineztown youth used their Native Health Initiative,  “Youth Leading the Way” project grant to create a community wellness event called “Celebrate Wellness/Celebra la Salud”, complete with nutrition jeopardy

 

New Mexico Service Learning Network Initiates Convenings

On April 29, 2010 a group of service-learning practitioners held a meeting to discuss methods to promote service learning as well as to share successes and challenges.  The following individuals attended the meeting:

 

  • Jessica Barreras, Creative Education Preparatory Institute #1

  • Christina Berlin, Roadrunner Food Bank

  • Teresa Bower, Albuquerque Public Schools ACCESS

  • Ann Edenfield-Sweet, Wings Ministry

  • Tina Garcia-Shams, Amy Biehl Charter School

  • Michael  Gaylor,  APS School and & Community Partnerships

  • Dianna Keogh, Albuquerque Public Schools ACCESS (Adult-Centered Community Education and Support Services)

  • Donna Montano, APS Community Learning Centers Project

  • Matt Oppenheim, APS Research, Deployment & Accountability

  • Debra Saine,  N.M. Forum for Youth in Community

  • Swechha Singh, UNM Community Engagement Center

  • Michelle Tudor, Nuestros Valores Charter School

  • Judy Vidal, Rio Grande High School

Membership Reports:

N.M. Forum for Youth in Community.  The Forum will manage a Learn and Serve grant to promote service learning in the State of New Mexico.  Debra polled all middle and high schools in the state, and found that most service learning is taking place in private and charter schools.  The goal is to boost participation in public schools throughout the state.

Albuquerque Public Schools.  The Albuquerque Public Schools system has not formally adopted service learning, and its practice is dependent on school leadership.  The Forum is working with APS administrators to promote the practice within the school system.

APS ACCESS.  At ACCESS, service learning is tied into career exploration.  Students identify community issues, speakers are invited, community service occurs, and reflection takes place.  This school year, students focused on the difficulties experienced by senior citizens due to declining mobility, eyesight, hearing, etc.   Students performed building maintenance at a local rest home.   In another project, students studied the cost associated with construction of a home.  They organized a Walk-A-Thon and donated proceeds to Habitat for Humanity.  When studying issues related to homelessness, students prepared 250 sack lunches for clients of a homeless shelter.

Amy Biehl Charter School.  Seniors are required to enroll in two college courses that are linked directly to their service learning project.  Each student performs 200-250 service hours during the school year.  Students are mentored at school as well as with their community partner.  In addition, the student body participates in a service project on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (e.g., prepare food boxes at Roadrunner Food Bank).  Two Project Weeks are held each school year, with one occurring in the fall and the other in spring.  During Project Week, each student participates in a service-oriented project for a total of 16 hours.  Some projects include work at the zoo or local food bank.  During the school year, Amy Biehl students mentor children at three local elementary schools.  Mentoring takes place during 1.5 - 3 hour time slots.  Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from service projects

.

Creative Preparatory Institute #1 (CEPI).  At CEPI, students receive credit for volunteer service.  Students are required to perform 45 hours of volunteer service in the community.  Service is student driven and must focus on a community issue.  During the 2009 holiday season, students shot family photos for residents of a homeless shelter.  Spanish class students visited an elementary school and helped the children make piņatas.  Each year, students receive a Presidential Volunteer Service Award.  Students also measured and cut fabric for donation to a veterans’ organization as part of the Quilts of Valor Project.    They also prepared toiletry kits for Veterans’ Hospital patients.

Rio Grande High School.  The school’s Career Academy is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2010.

Roadrunner Food Bank.  The agency’s volunteer manager pointed out the distinction between volunteers and service learners at the food bank.  Volunteers perform service with no commitment (e.g., episodic service).  Service learning students work in the food bank’s office where they learn about development, programming, and warehouse management.  Service learning students are required to devote an excess of 20 hours service.

South Valley Academy.  The school sends students out into the community every Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Buses pick up students at noon and transport them to the following locations: 

  • Freshmen – elementary schools

  • Sophomores – nonprofit organizations

  • Juniors – career unpaid internship

  • Seniors – senior research paper/senior action project

In addition to volunteer time, each grade level has a curriculum designed by the corresponding Service Learning teacher.  Students are expected to complete major and minor assignments.  Service learning is a required subject, and students must have 3.5 credits to graduate.

UNM Community Engagement Center.  Community Engagement Center staff is looking at how the university can respond to community needs and how the community can access UNM’s resources.  The goal is to bring all resources under one umbrella. 

Wings Ministry.  The program is a nonprofit that works with families of prisoners.  The goal of Wings Ministry is to teach families how to build on developmental assets.  To learn more, go to http://www.wingsministry.org.

Definition of Service Learning:  The best way to differentiate between community service and service learning is that service learning is project-based, there’s a deliverable, and learning takes place.  STARS, the five-point guide to service learning, offers a good framework upon which to build a service learning program.  The components of STARS are:  Student initiative, Thoughtful service, Authentic learning and assessment, Reflective practice, and Sustainable partnerships.

Service Learning Models:  Meeting participants received information about service learning models used at Western New Mexico University, Illinois State Board of Education and Mesa, Arizona Schools.

 

Creating a Supportive Infrastructure for Service Learning in New Mexico:  Participants requested the following support from N.M. Forum staff:

  • Contact with community based organizations

  • Invite guest speakers to future network meetings

  • Develop a speakers’ bureau to promote service learning in schools

  • Networking opportunities

  • Updated calendar of service days

  • On-line service learning ideas/information

 

Next Steps:  Network meetings will be held on a monthly basis at the NM Forum for Youth in Community conference room., 924 Park S.W.  If you are interested in attending, please contact Debra Saine at dsaine@nmforumforyouth.org, 505-821-3574, ext. 114.

 

 

Graduate New Mexico Initiative Supports Recovery of Dropouts

Forum, Regional Partner Organizations, and an existing network of statewide Community Service Learning Centers are working together to bridge the achievement gap and re-engage school dropouts utilizing service learning as a strategy.   The project is to support the efforts of the Governor’s Office, the Public Education Department, and the New Mexico Commission on Community Volunteerism as part of Graduate New Mexico.

Each of the organizations in this partnership will serve as “centers of  gravity” for volunteer recruitment and core training opportunities which includes:  1) on-going recruitment and matching of volunteers; 2) management of tracking data around recruitment and training activity; and 3) support for communities and educational institutions providing training and where possible, distance learning opportunities.

The goals of the project are to:  1) increase the capacity of the Community Service Learning Centers network to support volunteerism; 2) increase the number of new volunteers to participate in the recovery of students who have dropped out of school; and 3) assist urban, rural and Native American communities to impact students who have dropped out through volunteer efforts and service statewide.

Primary beneficiaries of this project are the urban, rural and Native American students who will be re-engaged in education by trained volunteers that will impact their educational achievement and goals.  The secondary beneficiaries of this project are new volunteers who will be trained in:  1) positive youth development; 2) how to support education through volunteerism; and 3) the paradigms and benefits of service.  The tertiary beneficiaries are the communities themselves, because they have a chance to re-engage youth who have dropped out and give them another chance at a brighter future.

For more information, contact:  Debra Saine, dsaine@nmforumforouth.org, 505-821-3574, extension 114.

 

The first annual Youth and Community Summit was held in Farmington, April 30 - May 1, 2010.  The efforts were spearheaded by the Farmington Public Library with a number of partners, including the San Juan Safe Communities Initiative, the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community, Enlace, Farmington Boys and Girls Club, San Juan Community College, and the City of Farmington.  

On Friday April 30th,  the event began with a “Dia de Los Niņo’/Dia de Los Libros ” tailgate party at the Farmington Public Library. The event highlighted child and youth literacy efforts, and included more than 30 performers, booths, and activities for children.

The tailgate party was followed by a series of community presentations in the library, and a release party for the Blended Zine youth magazine.

Enlace NM and San Juan Community College hosted a youth dance to celebrate “Cinco de Mayo” and call attention to alcohol and substance abuse issues.  Events on Friday evening culminated with a movie and swimming party at the Farmington Aquatic Center.

On Saturday 1, 2010 a series of workshops that focused on youth and community issues were convened at the Farmington Boys and Girls Club.  The topics included:

  • Teen Pregnancy Prevention

  • Teen-age Dating Violence

  • Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention

  • Youth/Adult Partnerships

  • Drop Out Issues

  • Youth Voice in Afterschool

  • New Mexico Community Voices Project

  • Gang Intervention Program

  • San Juan Safe Communities Initiative Meth Prevention Outreach

Nearly 40 members of the New Mexico Youth Alliance participated in the events and Forum staffers (Michael Brown, Michael Lujan, Eduardo Martinez, Moneka Stevens-Cordova) led some of the presentations.  More than 600 participants attended activities over the two days.

Saturday's events closed with a presentation of Meth prevention outreach/media efforts by San Juan Safe Communities Initiative and a youth panel feedback discussion on effectiveness of teen outreach efforts.

A huge thank you to the financial sponsors for making this initial effort in Farmington a big success!

  • City of Farmington/Farmington Public Library

  • Fuddruckers

  • New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community

  • Office of Philanthropic Outreach

  • San Juan County Safe Communities Initiative

  • Wells Fargo Bank

Forum Partners with Fidelity Investment and Hands On Network to Support School-Based Efforts

New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community is proud to announce a new partnership with the Hands On Network & Fidelity at Schools.

Hands On Network, partners with nonprofit and government agencies to provide compelling volunteer opportunities and to effectively utilize the talents of people who serve. As the country’s leading volunteer organization, Hands On Network offers training, resources, and networking opportunities that equip agencies to engage volunteers in meaningful service.

Fidelity at Schools: Fidelity Investments has a long and proud tradition of charitable giving and community involvement. Fidelity has designed a series of unique initiatives to help young people find their path by providing coaches, tools, opportunities and experiences necessary to help underserved youth achieve academic success and pursue their own path to college and work.

Through a coordinated selection process with staff from Fidelity Investments, the Hands On Network, the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community, and community members, Ernie Pyle Middle School in Albuquerque was selected to be Fidelity at Schools partner.

 

On May 10, 2010 a Community Design Day was held in which students, teachers, parents, community members, and Fidelity staff convened at Ernie Pyle Middle School to outline and brainstorm specific needs of the school and create a bold vision for change. Through this process a plan will be developed that will bring in a group of Fidelity employees into the school for a "Transformation Day" in late July or early August which will engage Fidelity employees in an on-going role within the school.

The Forum will help coordinate the transformation day projects in New Mexico and is working to ensure the success of these endeavors in partnership with Fidelity Investments and the Hands on Network.  For more information on the Transformation Day efforts, please contact Michael Lujan, Project Director for the New Mexico Out-of-School-Time Network, mlujan@nmforumforyouth.org.

2009 Youth Practitioner Summit - December 3-4, Embassy Suites, Albuquerque

Please join us for the 2009 Youth Practitioner Summit to be convened on December 3-4 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Albuquerque.  This year's theme is "Building Collaborations - Across Networks, Generations, Systems, and Communities".  The presentations will focus on local examples and "how to" workshops that highlight collaborative efforts throughout New Mexico.

The Youth Practitioner Summit convenes stakeholders and practitioners from around the state; registrations are limited to 350 participants.  Pre-registration is available until November 25th and can be completed online by clicking here.  Pre-registration is encouraged to reserved your attendance at the early bird rates; early bird registrants will also be available to win prizes!.  Registration is $100 for adults, $50 for youth; a limited number of scholarships will also be available.  Registration does not include hotel accommodations; to reserve your hotel room, book by November 10th via the Embassy Suites online reservation  system (click here).

To View the Summit Program, Agenda and
Workshop Listings, please click here.

If you have questions about the 2009 Youth Practitioner Summit, please email us at:  communication@nmforumforyouth.org or call 505-821-3574.

If you or your organization is interested in being an exhibitor at the Summit Resource Pavilion, please click here to view the information packet and contact information to request a table.

Early Childhood Civic Engagement Forum Reports Now Available

The New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community is releasing/distributing the data summary from the Early Childhood Civic Engagement Forum, April 27, 2009.  The data summary represents a compilation and analysis of data collected from more than 350 participants during roundtable discussions at the event.  The day-long forum preceded the annual convening of the Early Childhood Action Network.  Youth facilitators guided the afternoon roundtable discussions and collected information on early childhood successes, innovations, and opportunities in New Mexico.

The following organizations partnered to plan and convene the forum:

  • ENLACE New Mexico
  • Everyday Democracy
  • New Mexico Association for the Education of Young Children
  • New Mexico Association of Grantmakers
  • New Mexico Children’s Cabinet
  • New Mexico Community Foundation
  • New Mexico Department of Health
  • New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community
  • New Mexico Voices for Children
  • SPARK New Mexico
  • W. K. Kellogg Foundation
  • Youth Development, Inc.

For additional information, please proceed to the event webpage by clicking here.  To download the 80-page data summary, scroll down on that page and look for the "Roundtable Dialogues Summary/Data Report with the PDF icon ( ).

Additional reports, and presentations from the event can also be found here, including the event agenda, participant list, presenter slides, and final summary report.

 

Farmington Youth Wins Torani Bottle Art Contest

Torani, the number one producer of specialty syrups in North America has selected the artwork of college freshman Aubrey Maslen for the label of the strawberry syrup for a limited-edition art label.  Maslen’s art was seletced by Torani over hundreds of entries from afterschool students across the country. Aubrey is a participant of the Farmington Public Library Great Afterschool Program (GASP).

Torani is highlighting the importance of afterschool programs nationwide by artwork from youth who participate in afterschool programs on limited-edition labels of their beverages. The company will donate five percent to the sales of the limited-edition bottles from September through December 2009 to the Afterschool Alliance. This is the fifth year Torani has sponsored the art label project in support of afterschool programming.  

To celebrate Aubrey’s win, Torani hosted a party in Farmington on September 2, 2009.  Special guests included State Senator William Sharer, Assistant City Manager Bob Campbell, City Councilman, Jason Sandell and representatives from the offices of Senator Jeff Bingaman, and Congressmen Ben Ray Lujan.  

Michael Lujan, the New Mexico out-of-School Time Network Director also attended this event with the Director of the Youth alliance of New Mexico Moneka Stevens-Cordova both from the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community. Aubrey is also a former member of the New Mexico Youth Alliance from the Farmington area. Congratulations Aubrey!

Torani Bottle Art Winner Aubrey Maslen

Torani Bottle Art Winner Aubrey Maslen, With Winning Design.

Statewide Youth Program Directory Launched

The New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community is launching a new version of the statewide directory of youth-serving programs. The effort represents a comprehensive effort conducted in collaboration with Forum’s Regional Partner Organizations throughout the state.

The original directory was established in coordination with the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department, and focused primarily on identifying and listing statewide after school programs. The newest effort builds on that effort and will expand to include listings for any youth-serving or youth-related entity.

The directory will include an interactive map that allows individuals to search programs by County. Individuals or organizations can submit their programs for inclusion by accessing the “Submit Program” button in the “Youth Directory” section of the website.

Transfer of existing data housed at the Forum will be conducted in phases over the next month.

New Mexico Youth Alliance Performs Graduation Summit

On September 10, 2009 the Lt. Governor Diane Denish hosted the New Mexico Graduation Summit at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. New Mexico Youth Alliance members performed in an hour-long dramatization that provided youth perspectives on the barriers and challenges that high school students face in attempting to finish school. 

The play, titled "Dropping In" was co-written by NM Youth Alliance members Meredith Schuh, Jorge Mendoza, and Paola Castillo with the support of Karen Jones-Meadows who directed the stage performance. 

The graduation rate for high school students in New Mexico is way below the national average and state officials and community stakeholders have begun intensive efforts that focus on secondary education and graduation supports. Education provides an opportunity for students to explore their passions, develop their skills, and contribute to the community.

The New Mexico Youth Alliance has made education a top priority of their legislative advocacy efforts. The NMYA looks forward to working with elected officials on educational issues. For more information on the New Mexico Youth Alliance, click here or contact Moneka Stevens-Cordova, NMYA Network Director (moneka@nmforumforyouth.org).

NMYA Members Rehease for "Dropping In"

New Mexico Youth Alliance members rehearse for stage presentation of "Dropping In"

2009 Lights on New Mexico Summary

Congratulations New Mexico, this year there were 116 Lights On Afterschool events held across the state, with this year’s theme “Light up New Mexico with Afterschool.” This is a true celebration as we more then doubled last year events, which demonstrates the increase and awareness of the value of Afterschool.   

These events highlight the importance of Afterschool. Key champions involved in these events were parents, State Representatives, State Senators, Mayors, school Superintendents and personnel, who all had an opportunity to not only see what happens in Afterschool programs but also participated in hands on activities such as reading and doing art activities with kids and most importantly having fun.      

According to this study by the America after 3pm, New Mexico is ranked 6th in effective Afterschool programs across the country and the New Mexico Out-of-School Time Network will continue striving to ensure New Mexico continues to keep Afterschool a priority.

Lights On Afterschool this year was a huge success. We began the planning process in July with the Afterschool Ambassador of New Mexico, Flo Trujillo. We launched Lights On by having a poster contest for children and youth that asked the question, What does Afterschool mean to you? Ashley Brooks a nine year old who attends a Boys and Girls Club in Farmington, New Mexico won this year’s contest. Ashley Brook’s poster will be displayed at the 2010 New Mexico State Legislative Session as a message that Afterschool programs are important and needed in New Mexico. In September, we had a kick-off event hosted by the New Mexico State Fair in the Kids Pavilion to gather community support for Afterschool programs around New Mexico.

To download the full summary report, please click here.  For more information on Lights on Afterschool, contact Mike Lujan, Director of Network Support, Out of School Time Network (505 821-3574 x110, mlujan@nmforumforyouth.org).

Farmington Youth Has Winning Design in Lights On Afterschool Poster Design Contest

Nine year old Farmington student Ashley Brooks created the winning design for the New Mexico Lights on Afterschool poster art contest.  The competition was fierce as nearly 50 New Mexico students submitted entries; Ashley's design was selected by a panel of 15 judges who had narrowed down the finalists to 6 designs before finally settling in on Ashleys artwork.  Ashleys winning deisgn depicted the outline of a compact flourescent light bulb (standard in NM Lights on Afterschool logos) with images of many different types of afterschool activities ranging from recreational to educational and artistics.

As the winner of the art contest, Ashley received a $100 gift card from Flo Trujillo, the New Mexico Afterschool Ambassador. Congratulations Ashley!

2009 LOA Art Contest Winning Deisgh

Come Together for Lights On Afterschool, October 22nd

Share with the U.S. that one of our fifty is definitely is not missing during Afterschool! The month of October will bring the 10th Annual Lights on Afterschool celebration and we want New Mexico to showcase all their events for youth. The National Lights on Afterschool day is scheduled for October 22nd. Last year, 1 million Americans celebrated Lights On Afterschool, from New Hampshire to New Mexico. Afterschool supports are more important now than ever. Let’s show the country what can - and should - happen after school, especially in New Mexico!

If you are an afterschool provider (21st Century, faith-based, Boys and Girls Club, Boys and Girl Scouts) or provide afterschool activities like public libraries and community centers, please register your event at: http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/loaHostEvent.cfm. When you register your event, it does not have to be on October 22nd, just register for any day in October. New Mexico hosted more than 50 Lights On Afterschool events last year, attended by thousands of youth and caring community members.

Participating providers who register their events will receive free posters from the Afterschool Alliance and other great stuff! You will be entered to win of the $50.00 gift cards donated by the New Mexico Afterschool Ambassador or other cool giveaways from sponsors!

For more information on Lights on Afterschool, contact Mike Lujan, Director of Network Support, Out of School Time Network (505 821-3574 x110, mlujan@nmforumforyouth.org). You can also get more information from Flo Trujillo, the New Mexico Afterschool Ambassador (ftrujill@infoway.org).

Public Allies New Mexico Graduates 2nd Cohort

Eight members of the 2nd cohort of Public Allies New Mexico successfully completed a rigorous and challenging 10-month leadership development training and mentorship program. Keynote speaker for the graduation ceremony was Robby Rodriguez, Executive Director of the SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP). Graduation ceremonies were held and UNM Alumni Center on the University of New Mexico Campus.

Participants partake in weekly training and professional development activities over the ten months. They are also placed with local non-governmental organizations to support community development activities and conduct a team service project. Congratulations to Kateri Tenorio, Amber Lewis, Myra Dubois, Colleen Chavez, Jericha Phillips, Ana Maria Havens, Akusua Akoto, and Rodrigo Rodriguez!

The Public Allies New Mexico effort enters its 3rd year and is coordinated by the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community in partnership with the New Mexico Commission for Community Volunteerism, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Public Allies National Office. For more information on Public Allies New Mexico, contact Everette W. Hill, M.A. (Everette@nmforumforyouth.org).

Doņa Ana Adopts Positive Youth Development Framework

In a developing example of systems change in the field, Doņa Ana County Health and Human Services Department (HHS) is restructuring their programs around assets-based approaches. With the support of The Doņa Ana Board of County Commissioners, the department has been scaffolding existing programs to engage and include youth in departmental activities and require HHS grantees to integrate Positive Youth Development (PYD) principles in their work.

Thus far, the Doņa Ana County Health and Human Services Department has:

  • Created a youth council to inform and evaluate youth health programs, beginning with teen pregnancy prevention efforts.
  • Integrated PYD language and principles in funding streams (RFA’s, RFP’s) for county-wide health programs.
  • Created shadowing, and mentoring opportunities for youth council members to engage with County Commissioners.
  • Initiated comprehensive training and professional development sessions with HHS staff and human services providers throughout the community.
  • Focusing on “place-based” paradigms to facilitate moving to assets-based approaches so that different communities within the County (Las Cruces, Chaparral, Organ, Rincon, Doņa Ana, Hatch, Anthony) are appropriately served in a manner consistent with local needs.

The movement to positive youth development by Doņa Ana County Health and Human Services Department represents a huge success for the community at large. While the County process follows models initiated at the state level (NM Children’s Cabinet) and other municipalities (Farmington, Santa Fe, Taos, Truth or Consequences), the Doņa Ana efforts have may be the best example to date in New Mexico.

For more information contact Eduardo Martinez (emartinez@nmforumforyouth.org).

New Mexico Graduation Summit, September 10, 2009

Lt. Governor Diane Denish and members of the New Mexico Children's Cabinet invite you to attend a day-long Summit to call attention to the need to improve graduation rates statewide. Please join us at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces to support education in New Mexico. Members of the New Mexico Youth Alliance and staff of the New Mexico Forum will be in attendance as well.

The New Mexico Children’s Cabinet is also asking organizations if they would like to create an exhibit to showcase their work at the Graduation Summit. Additionally, participants can sign up to assist with a community service project in Las Cruces on September 11th, a “National Day of Service”.

Participants can register for the Summit at www.nmgraduationsummit.com. If you are interesting in preparing an exhibit, please contact Claire Dudley, Child and Youth Policy Advisor (505-476-2250 or Claire.Dudley@state.nm.us).

The New Mexico Graduation Summit is sponsored by State Farm Insurance, Bank of America, America’s Promise Alliance, and the New Mexico Commission for Community Volunteerism.

Calling all New Mexico youth ARTISTS!

Get youth from your club, school or organization to design the 2nd New Mexico Lights on Afterschool poster. Entries are due by September 1, 2009 and the winner will not only receive $100 Visa Gift Card, but their poster will be printed and distributed throughout New Mexico. Contact the NMSU 4-H Bernalillo County at 505.243-1386 or contact Mike Lujan, Director of Network Support, Out of School Time Network at (505) 821-3574 x 110. You can also get more information from Flo Trujillo, the New Mexico Afterschool Ambassador (ftrujill@infoway.org).

Institute of American Indian Arts Summer Enrichment Program

The Institute of American Indian Arts announces its Expanding the Circle Summer Enrichment Program June 14 - July 5, 2009 Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM.

Join us for a three-week residential summer session for sophomore and juniors of the 22 tribes in New Mexico. 25 students will be accepted to participate. Students will have the opportunity to explore their college and career options while strengthening the academic and life skills they will need to succeed in a college environment. At the end of the program students will have earned 3 IAIA college credits!

Each day is filled with opportunity for enrichment and growth. Our workshops will help you to plan for your future by learning more about yourself as a person, community member and student. Students will also take part in a weekend leadership retreat by participating in the Teamwork in Action Challenge Course at the Santa Fe Community College followed by camping and rock climbing in White Rock, NM.

If you are, or know of a student who would like to take part in this unique opportunity please visit our website at: http://www.iaiaetc.org or contact: Alyssa Chavez, Academic Outreach Coordinator, IAIA Learning Support Center, 505-424-2341 (email - achavez@iaia.edu).

Click Here for Application Forms.       Click here for Registration Form

Farmington Public Library Promotes Lights On Afterschool

On August 8, 2008, Flo Trujillo and her Youth Services staff from the Farmington Public Library (a Forum Regional Partner Organization) invited a dozen fellow librarians to help highlight afterschool programming occurring in libraries. It was clear from the information exchanged that many, varied, innovative and engaging afterschool programs and activities are happening in libraries across New Mexico.

Flo and her staff then invited each librarian, along with Michael Lujan, the Forum’s Out-of-School Time Network Director, to film a short video on what’s happening Afterschool in the Library. These video shorts will be compiled and edited by the Farmington Library Youth Services staff, and the resulting video will be available for distribution. The film’s debut will be part of the Lights On Afterschool kickoff event on September 16th at the State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque.

For more information on Lights on Afterschool in New Mexico, please contact Mike Lujan at the Forum (mlujan@nmforumforyouth.org).

Flo Trujillo, Youth Services Librarian, Farmington Public Library, welcomes fellow librarians to Lights on Afterschool discussion.

Forum Public Allies:  Work in Community and Make a Difference!

Forum Public Allies is accepting applications for its ten-month community leadership program. Our 10 month-long AmeriCorps program combines:

A.  Full-time paid apprenticeships in the community where you:

  • Serve four days per week.
  • Create, improve and expand services that address diverse issues, including youth. development, education, public health, economic development and the environment.
  • Earn a monthly stipend of $1,300 to $1,800.
  • Receive healthcare, childcare, student loan deferment and a post-service education award of $4,725.

B.  A rigorous leadership development curriculum delivered by community leaders, practitioners and educators, which includes:

  • Intensive weekly skill training and leadership development seminars.
  • Critical feedback, reflection, and personal coaching toward individual performance and professional goals.
  • Community building and team projects with a diverse cohort of peers.
  • Presentations of learning at the end of the year to demonstrate how one met the learning outcomes of the program.

The New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community is looking for young adults aged 18 to 30 that are focused on improving the community, passionate about social issues, interested in working with a diverse group of people and ready to learn and grow.

To download an application (Acrobat PDF format), click here.

Applications due by August 1, 2008

For more information, contact: Celestina Garcia, Forum Public Allies Program Manager (celestina@nmforumforyouth.org, 505.821-3547, ext. 109) or Michael Brown, Director of Training and Professional Development (mbrown@nmforumforyouth.org, 505.821-3547, ext. 103).

EcoServants Youth Support Emergency Response in Ruidoso, NM

July 28, 2008 - The Village of Ruidoso in Southeastern NM continues its cleanup and recovery from record flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Dolly on July 26th. The storm dropped more than six inches of rain on the region in a 24-hour period, and washed out several bridges in the area. More than 500 residents were evacuated from their storms and nearly 70 individuals were left stranded by the storm; many homes and businesses were also affected. Governor Bill Richardson identified Ruidoso and Lincoln County as a Disaster area and pledged emergency aid for the affected areas.

Staff and youth from EcoServants, a Regional Partner of the NM Forum for Youth in Community, continue to contribute to the emergency response.  EcoServants youth helped fill and distribute thousands of sand bags to mitigate floodwaters;.  The youth continue to help with the community cleanup process in the days following the flood.  The emergency response teams at EcoServant are also supported through a grant from the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps.  New Mexico is fortunate to benefit from the support and assistance provided by the young men and women at EcoServants.

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Efforts Underway in Doņa Ana County

The New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community is pleased to support ongoing and developing efforts in Doņa Ana county to help address high rates of pregnancy among young women.  A collaboration of local and statewide service providers, agencies, and community-based organizations have been working on a comprehensive strategic plan for the County. 

The effort started with a series of community conversations that elicited feedback from service providers and community youth.  Focusing on the issue stimulated the allocation of a number of resources to support teen pregnancy prevention in the county. 

Teen pregnancy prevention has been a priority of the New Mexico Youth Alliance for the last three years and Forum staff have been supporting this effort since 2005 via convening, facilitation, strategic planning, and information analysis.  A comprehensive list of partners will soon be available via this website.

Workforce Investment Partners Explore “Essential Elements of Quality” for New Mexico Out-of-School Time Programs

On May 13, 2008, a dozen staff members from the Youth Opportunity Centers and HELP NM sites in eastern NM (from Clayton to Hobbs) gathered to explore strategies for implementing the seven “Essential Elements of Quality” in their out-of-school time programs.  The participants comprise the "providers committee" of the Eastern Area Workforce Investment Board.

The Essential Elements are grounded in community meetings held across the state to discuss:

  • What NM young people and their parents want and need in out-of-school time settings;
  • How out-of-school time programs can provide positive youth development opportunities;
  • What supports are necessary to ensure quality out-of-school time programs and activities.

Members of the NM Out-of-School Time Network, with the support of Forum staff, reviewed and compiled community responses into the seven "Essential Elements of Quality" for New Mexico out-of-school time programs.

The Forum has now developed a workshop for youth practitioners to explore how to implement the essential elements into program strategies and activities at their sites, in their communities, with their youth. For more information, contact: Wendy Wintermute, Training Director, at 505-821-3574 x102 or wendy@nmforumforyouth.org.

2008 Afterschool Day at the Roundhouse!

January 29, 2008 is the "Afterschool Day" at the Legislative session.  A special presentation will be held at the Capital building in Santa Fe from 8:00am till 1:00pm, with a Press Conference from 10:00am to 11:00am.

Program Providers will set up displays to highlight their programs in the East and West hallways adjacent to the Rotunda. Please try to make it so that we can let our Legislators know that Afterschool is a priority in New Mexico.

We look forward to making this event a success and letting our state legislators know that Afterschool is here to stay.

Service Learning Gatherings, Gallup and Albuquerque, April 2008

Community Service-Learning gatherings in Gallup and Albuquerque in April 2008 brought together K-12 staff and teachers, higher education staff and faculty, representatives of community-based organizations, students and parents to share ideas and resources with a goal towards creating and supporting high-quality community service-learning partnerships and projects. You may download a report from the Albuquerque and the Gallup gatherings from our website.

We also invite you to take a look at and complete our Service-Learning Directory form. We hope to soon have on our website a directory of service-learning opportunities in New Mexico. If you have any suggestions for making the Directory more user-friendly, we would welcome those suggestions.

For additional information, contact:
Wendy Wintermute
Community Service-Learning Network Director
wendy@nmforumforyouth.org
505-821-3574 x102

2007 Lights on Afterschool Deemed a Huge Success!

Throughout the state of New Mexico the Lights were on for Afterschool in October. Individual afterschool sites and larger group gathering dotted the landscape. With the assistance of the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community, the Afterschool Alliance and the national Afterschool Ambassador, lights bulb pins flashed and posters and banners were distributed to 12 regions of New Mexico.

The success of this years events began with the Lights On Afterschool float in the New Mexico State Fair Parade, along with the Display at the fair encouraging the importance of supporting Afterschool throughout New Mexico. This year, there were 38 registered Lights On Afterschool events held across New Mexico, of which all but 2 were not connected to the New Mexico Out-of-School Time Network through the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community. This years theme was, “Celebrating Afterschool Programs, Recognizing Key Champions”

To see the full briefing for 2007 LoA events, please click here.

For more information, contact Michael A. Lujan, Director of Network Support, Out of School Time Network at 505-821-3574 (mlujan@nmforumforyouth.org).

Appointment Exemplifies Positive Youth Engagement

Shayna Lewis, a 19-year old Santa Fe native has been named by Mayor David Coss to the Santa Fe City Panning Commission. Shayna is currently a team leader for Youthworks!, a Santa Fe based youth development organization that provides prevention, education and intervention services, including violence intervention, conflict resolution, crisis intervention, peer mediation training, counseling workforce development, youth advocacy, and leadership activities.

Ms. Lewis has already provided invaluable support to the city as a member of the mayor's Youth Advisory Board.  As a member of the city planning commission, Shayna will have an opportunity to help plan citywide development projects.

Shayna was recently selected to participate in the Forum Public Allies initiative, and intensive, year-long leadership development program of the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community.  The Forum Public Allies initiative is affiliated with the national Public Allies initiative sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

We believe Shayna's appointment to the Santa Fe Planning Commission is yet another example of positive youth engagement in New Mexico.  Congratulations Shayna!

Scholarships Available - Patty Iron Cloud National Native American Youth Initiative

The Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP) is now accepting applications for the 11th Annual Patty Iron Cloud National Native American Youth Initiative which will be held in Washington D.C. , June 21 - 29, 2008. American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) high school students, ages 16- 18, who have an interest in the health careers and/or biomedical research are encouraged to apply. The NNAYI scholarship pays for travel, lodging, and most meals during the program. NNAYI's curriculum is strategically designed to prepare students for admission to college and professional schools, as well as for careers in health and biomedical research.

To accompany the students, AAIP is also accepting applications for counselors, age 21 and older, to serve as role models during the nine-day program. AI/AN college students and health professionals are encouraged to apply.

Deadline for student application is April 18, 2008; deadline for counselor application is March 21, 2008. Please visit the NNAYI website for more details by clicking on this link (www.aaip.org/programs/nnayi/nnayi.htm).  To access the applications, click on the "Student Info" or "Student Initiatives" links.

Golden Apple Pathway Scholars Program

Do you know a high school senior who is planning to enter the teaching profession? The Golden Apple Foundation is looking for high school seniors to participate in the Golden Apple 2008 Summer Institute.  The summer institute is a six (6) week training program in Albuquerque, NM for prospective teachers.  Students qualify for room and board, and also receive a $2,500 stipend.  Applications are due February 1, 2008.

For more information please go to the Golden Apple Foundation website (www.goldenapplenm.org), or download the information brochure by clicking here.

2007 Training Schedule Released

The New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community is pleased to offer bi-weekly workshops on Positive Youth Development.  All workshops are held in the Forum’s Community Room, located at 924 Park Avenue SW, Suite E, Albuquerque, NM. For specific workshop titles, descriptions, dates and times, go to our training section or download the PDF file here.  For more information, please contact:

Wendy Wintermute, Ph.D.
Training Director
NM Forum for Youth in Community
924 Park Avenue SW, Suite E
Albuquerque, NM 87102
505-821-3574
wendy@nmforumforyouth.org

Upcoming Quarterly Gatherings - Statewide

The New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community would like to invite you to join us at our Quarterly Gatherings, held around the state, to meet other youth practitioners, share information and ideas on topics relating to Positive Youth Development in New Mexico.  Upcoming gatherings will focus on legislative actions that affect the youth development field, supporting youth as social entrepreneurs, forging community-wide partnerships, and establishing opportunities for success via after school programming.  For more information and a schedule of the 2007 quarterly gatherings, download the PDF file here.

Forum Builds Capacity, Expands Offerings

The New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community has added several new initiatives, including organizational development supports as well as leadership and professional development.  These supports, in concert with, and connected to, existing activities (youth engagement, network management, resource development, policy supports, practitioner training, program development) comprise a comprehensive framework for positive youth development.

The Leadership and Professional development efforts includes the Leadership 2010 initiative via From Public Allies (affiliated with the national Public Allies).  The Organizational Development supports will result in a number of new offerings available to the youth development community in New Mexico.

Concurrently, the Forum has added new staff to support these efforts, including Michael Lujan (Out-of-School Time Network), Michael Brown (Leadership and Professional Development), Celestina Garcia (Forum Public Allies), Michael Garcia (VISTA Cadre Program), and Eduardo Martinez (Organizational Development).  Some existing staff have expanded their roles (Dr. Wendy Wintermute, Training and Network Evaluation; Marsha Freeman, Administrative Services)

June 15-16, 2007.

The New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community participated in a training for approximately 30 parent/community leaders from seven rural communities throughout New Mexico. “Developing the Community School Yard,” sponsored by The Center for RelationaLearning under a contract with the Public Education Department (PED), provided the parent/community leaders with concepts and tools to enhance their leadership roles and to increase parent involvement in education.

The training incorporates key elements of the PED manual, Working Together: School Family Community Partnerships Toolkit. Topics included: Relational Learning; Positive Youth Development (renamed by participants as “Positive Human Development”); Assets for Healthy Youth Development; Involving Community in Service Learning; and Community Leadership. Each participant received a certificate acknowledging their expertise and commitment as community leaders in education. More information about The Center for RelationaLearning is available at their website: http://www.relationalearning.com/.

Parent/Community Leadership Training Graduates

Out-of-School Time Community Conversations in Northern New Mexico


Dr. Wendy Wintermute with information collected at the Taos OSTN Community Conversation.

The Taos Youth Collaborative invited the NM Forum for Youth in Community to facilitate community conversations around goals, resources, gaps and opportunities for collaboration to extend and enhance opportunities for positive youth development in three northern New Mexico communities. Wendy Wintermute and Eduardo Martinez met with community members in Peņasco on May 21st and Taos on May 22nd.

Staff from community-based organizations, schools, service clubs, and the media, as well as parents met to envision positive outcomes for young people in their communities, map out current resources, identify gaps, and begin to discuss ways to work together to extend opportunities for positive youth development in out-of-school times (before- and after-school, weekends, holidays, summers, and during school-time for those out-of-school).

Quarterly Gathering Convened in Farmington

Billy Tsabetsaye (R) presents “Zines for Teens” with Nick Culler (L), Teen Zone Technician Participants Networking at the Farmington Quarterly Gathering

On May 18th, the Farmington Public Library, one of the Forum’s ten Regional Partner Organizations, hosted a gathering of area youth practitioners who shared a wealth of positive youth development opportunities for area young people over the summer holidays. Flo Trujillo, Youth Librarian, and Billy Tsabetsaye, VISTA Volunteer, led off with a presentation of the summer activities hosted by the Library’s TeenZone (see accompanying article from the Farmington Daily News).

Everette W. Hill, M.A. of NM Forum For Youth Executive Director Participates in Panel Discussion at National Afterschool Alliance Conference


Everette W. Hill, M.A., the Forum Executive Director (2nd from left)  at national Afterschool Alliance Conference panel with representatives from Baltimore, New York, Florence (SC)

(reprinted with permission: http://nlc.org/ARTICLES/articledetail.aspx?ThreadKey={652EE356-F01B-492A-A86F-699E9711C6F9

Conference Highlights:  City Afterschool Efforts in Push for Increased Federal Funding by Bela P. Shah

The efforts of four cities to expand high-quality afterschool opportunities for children and youth were highlighted at a recent Afterschool Alliance conference to help advocates make the case for increased federal funding of afterschool programs on Capitol Hill. The Afterschool for All Challenge on April 23-24 also provided an opportunity for hundreds of parents, educators and advocates to honor city leaders who have championed afterschool programs in their communities. City officials joined participants in urging members of Congress to fund the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) initiative, the chief federal funding stream for local afterschool programs. CCLC was funded at $981 million in 2007, which represents a $20 million decrease in real terms since 2002. A panel of municipal leaders from Albuquerque, N.M., Baltimore, Florence, S.C., and New York City underscored the importance of funding for afterschool and discussed the ways in which city-led initiatives to deploy municipal resources have made an impact in strengthening their local afterschool programs.

Albuquerque

In response to growing concern about the city’s dropout rate, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez has established a council to examine afterschool standards and curricula and to ensure that programs are of sufficient quality to contribute to students’ academic success. The city currently invests $2.5 million in afterschool, and the school district has also begun looking at ways to boost afterschool funding. “Everyone has a role to play in the continuum and cities are part of the spectrum,” said Everette W. Hill, M.A., executive director of the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community, an Albuquerque-based statewide intermediary organization working to improve conditions and opportunities for youth.

Baltimore’s citywide afterschool strategy began 10 years ago when 7,000 residents attended a citizen summit that identified out-of-school time programs for youth as a priority. To create new programs and train staff, the Baltimore Safe and Sound Campaign worked with the City Council to raise additional revenue. With a budget surplus in 2005, the city was able to invest $6 million in afterschool programs. This month, the city will host another large citizen summit to focus on other ways to support afterschool.

Florence, S.C.

Without the resources of larger cities, the City of Florence has relied on strong, broad-based partnerships to expand access to afterschool programs. In response to violent incidents involving youth, Mayor Frank Willis joined the police chief and school superintendent in convening representatives of the local chamber of commerce, major hospitals, parks and recreation department, faith community, juvenile justice system and youth development organizations. The Mayor’s Coalition to Prevent Juvenile Crime grew out of this collaboration, and began by collecting data on neighborhood indicators to gain an understanding of where resources were most lacking. The coalition has helped create new youth employment opportunities, parenting courses, computer labs and afterschool programs that are accessible through schools and low-income housing units. Recently, the city received $500,000 in state funding for job training, mentoring and placement for 200 youth.

New York City

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is leading the largest municipal initiative in the country to strengthen afterschool programming. With the merging of several city departments’ resources into a stronger Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), the city now uses 515 school sites for afterschool programs. New York has undergone two years of planning and moved toward a data-driven process of directing resources toward areas of greatest need. By 2008, the city’s investment of $121 million in afterschool will serve 80,000 children and youth in 550 locations. The city has also made progress in standardizing programming hours for elementary school students as well as the number of hours program providers must serve high school students annually. A new online tracking system for participation holds programs accountable for the funding they receive from the city.

Details

To learn more about NLC’s efforts to help cities expand afterschool opportunities, visit www.nlc.org/iyef or contact Bela Shah at (202) 626-3057 or shah@nlc.org.

National League of Cities 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 550 • Washington, DC 20004 Phone:(202) 626-3000 • Fax:(202) 626-3043 info@nlc.org • www.nlc.org

The Positive Youth Development Approach Youth Voice on School Health

A panel of young people provided a living example of “youth voice” in a workshop on the Positive Youth Development Approach at the Head to Toe 11th Conference on School Health, held April 18, 2007 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Tessa Medina-Lucero, Adolescent Health Coordinator at the New Mexico Dept. of Health, led the workshop, along with Lanny Leyba and Wendy Wintermute, Forum staff members.

After a brief introduction to positive youth development principles and the Youth Alliance, a panel of youth, including three Youth Alliance members, testified to their positive youth development experiences in their communities. The panelists included Youth Alliance members Jorge Mendoza (South Valley Academy), Joshua Contreras (Rio Rancho High School), and Linda Pierce (Cibola High School). Also on the panel were Orlando Reed (Mountainair HS and School Health Advisory Council member), Denise Mendoza (Roswell Middle School, School Health Advisory Council member), and Doreen Smith (Laguna-Acoma High School, Youth Advisory Group member).

Their amazing accomplishments put a face to the principles of positive youth development for the approximately 50 educators, community leaders, and health providers in attendance.

Youth Panelists (L-R):  Doreen Smith, Denise Mendoza, Orlando Reed, Linda Pierce, Joshua Contreras, Jorge Mendoza.

Youth Legislation Signed!

April 4, 2007 - In an ceremony held at the Martineztown House of Neighborly Service (Albuquerque), New Mexico Lt. Governor Diane Denish signed three youth bills into law.  These included:

  • Juvenile Continuum Grant (HB21) which provides funding for youth intervention programming aimed at keeping youth out of incarceration.
  • The Family Opportunity Accounts Eligibility Act (HB140) which allows for youth as young as 15 years of age and adults to establish Individual Development Accounts (IDA's) with matching funds towards education, initial home purchase, or establishment of a business
  • New Mexico Youth Day (SB626, HB363) which creates a State-recognized youth day, set to occur the first Saturday of August each year.

Lt. Governor Diane Denish signs youth legislation (shown here with state legislators and youth advocates)

Visitors From Turkmenistan Explore “Civics Education in a Multi-Cultural Society” - February 7, 2007

Four visitors from Turkmenistan met with the staff of the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community to share ideas on preparing and engaging young people in community and civic affairs. Accompanied by their translators and two members of Albuquerque’s Council for International Visitors, the group questioned Forum staff on each of the Forum projects: The VISTA Cadre program; the Out-of-School Time Network, the Centers for Community Service-Learning; the Youth Violence Prevention Network; and the Youth Alliance. Everyone agreed that further cross-national conversations would be of benefit to both groups. The Turkmenistan visitors invited the New Mexicans to come to Turkmenistan and offer workshops, technical assistance, and information sharing. The Forum invited the Turkmenistan group to an international conference on “Learning in Communities,” hosted by the Center for RelationaLearning and co-sponsored by the Forum, to be held in Santa Fe, January 6-9, 2008. (For more information about this conference, contact the Center for RelationaLearning at 505-983-1469 or visit the Website www.relationalearning.com )

Members of the Turkmenistan Delegation:

  • Ms. Selbi Akmuradova, Director, Mercy Without Borders, an NGO;
  • Ms. Yekaterina Berkeliyeva, Trainer and Member, Yashil (Green), a Civic Group;
  • Mr. Yazmyrat Hommadov, Director and Teacher, Lebap Youth EcoCenter
  • Mr. Valeriy Kotvin, Director, Agama (mountaineering group for troubled youth), an NGO

Turkmenistan visitors convene with Forum staff.

Santa Ana Pueblo Hosts Youth Summit - February 8, 2007

On February 8, 2007, Santa Ana Pueblo Department of Education hosted a “Youth Summit” for 60 young people, in grades Kindergarten to High School. The young people were asked to voice their wishes regarding out-of-school time activities. A separate group asked parents about their concerns and suggestions for positive out-of-school time activities for their children and youth. A team of facilitators from the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community led the participants through focus groups, “dot-voting” on current activities, and envisioning new opportunities for positive youth development for Santa Ana Pueblo youth. The young people capped off their day of deliberations with skateboarding, rock-climbing, and other fun activities.

Santa Ana youth design the perfect PYD space

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