What We Do

“There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.” -Nicoló Machiavelli

The New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community (the Forum) functions as a statewide network intermediary that is both a catalyst and support to the positive youth development movement. In fulfilling this role, the Forum engages three strategic intentions:

• Being the catalyst for a paradigm shift in the youth development field from a deficit to an assets framework.
• Facilitating the building of a broad community of stakeholders who are guided by positive youth development principles working toward a common set of positive youth outcomes.
• Supporting the positive youth development community of stakeholders by providing tools, training and technical assistance to get from paradigm shift to sustained quality practice.

By convening and connecting a broad group of stakeholders through partnership, the Forum is working to achieve a transformative change in youth development. Our Theory of Transformative Change (TOTC), which speaks to systemic changes happening simultaneously within and across different systems, has helped define the areas in which we work. We accomplish our work in the following ways:

• Broaden engagement and build sustainable partner relationships;
• Use data to assist in decision-making;
• Inform policy and civic decision-makers;
• Ensure sustainable resources for PYD and the youth development field
• Spread the PYD message through people, media, and technology using a common language;
• Model and train best practices to all stakeholders.

All of the activities that help accomplish what we do – action research, advocacy, assessment, facilitation, convening, connecting, capacity building, mobilizing and network building- are all ways in which the Forum seeks to be a support to the positive youth development movement and the stakeholders who are a part of it.

Convening. Connecting. Capacity-Building. Through Partnership, Practice and Policy.