Hello, friends, colleagues, community partners, and family. Bienvenidos nuestra gente. We are thrilled to share our second newsletter with you, which celebrates the people, culture, talent, timeless wisdom, and gift of Connecting Our Voices. Juntos podemos, y ahora, adelante.
We have worked hard to make Connecting Our Voices a comprehensive program. It includes facilitating the life skills curriculum Families Moving Forward (adapted from Familias Adelante) for 5th and 7th graders. Cultural awareness and sensitivity are essential for our work, especially in the unique cultural landscape of Northern New Mexico. Families Moving Forward emphasizes the protective factors of this rich and diverse environment.
Our youth internship program has successfully introduced young people to various career opportunities in prevention work. These youth learn about advocacy in behavioral health and social service careers. They also acquire skills in creating media campaigns and developing teamwork and leadership skills while boosting their self-esteem and sense of cultural responsibility. Our interns have expressed their enjoyment in learning how to serve their communities.
Through the official launch of our Youth Advisory Council, we aim to help youth in our area understand the power and influence of their voices. In our line of work, we often discuss what youth need but seldom ask the youth themselves. With the guidance of these remarkable young individuals, we hope to improve the outreach of Connecting Our Voices while also enhancing our cultural competency. I am inspired by the work done.
Every day, we collaborate with amazing peers, colleagues, and mentors. I am grateful to work amongst my greatest teachers and mentors: our community’s youth.
