Through its Community Empowerment program, the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation recently awarded $146,000 to six Native-led organizations and tribal communities in New Mexico supporting existing programs that focus on improving and sustaining Native youth health.
Joining the NB3 Foundation Native Youth on the Move cohort includes:
- Bidii Baby Foods, The BEN Initiative, in Cudeii, New Mexico will build on their land-based learning youth program, that provides a safe outdoor environment for youth to engage in physical activities on the farm. They will focus on land-based learning, farm-to-table cooking classes and Indigenous youth farmer capacity building.
- First Nations Community HealthSource, in Albuquerque, New Mexico will strengthen its Community Health and Wellness Project (CHWP). The project creates healthy lifestyle opportunities that involve physical activity, access to healthy food, and cultural connections. The program’s cultural framework encourages a culturally inclusive social environment and reframes how youth perceive physical activities and healthy eating.
- Navajo Ethno-Agriculture, based in Fruitland, New Mexico will work on strengthening their “Preserving Culture, through Farming, Food and Fitness” program. The program is aimed at enhancing the farming program to offer healthy food preparation teachings and to highlight the physical activity, fitness, and mental wellness associated with strong cultural teachings.
- One Generation, in Corrales, New Mexico, will support its Indigenous Farm Hub’s “Farm to School” program. The grant will help support building capacity and curriculum development to sustain the program’s partnership with Native American Community Academy (NACA) and the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy (ASLA) to provide direct access to fresh and nutritious food while providing Indigenous agricultural, language and cultural education.
- Pueblo of Zia Education Department, in Zia Pueblo, New Mexico is strengthening their afterschool and summer programs to provide initiatives of mentorship, educational services, and community-based support to build future leaders of Zia to sustain the culture and traditions.
- Ramah Navajo School Board, in Pine Hill, New Mexico is strengthening the Ramah Navajo Youth Enrichment Series. The program will implement prevention strategies that address diabetes, suicide, and substance abuse issues in the community and promote overall health and wellness for the youth and families.
In the 18-month grant period, Nb3 Foundation will work alongside community partners providing cyber huddles, technical assistance and learning opportunities to advance the cohort towards their goals.
“We are excited to learn and share with new community partners from across the state of New Mexico. The Native Youth on the Move grants are another way for Native led organizations and communities to offer creative ways to ensure Native youth achieve their full potential, as it pertains to their health and wellbeing,” Leroy Silva, NB3 Foundation community coordinator said.
Native Youth on the Move recipients will help the NB3 Foundation reach its mission to ensure Native children achieve their full potential by advancing cultures of Native American community health.
Support for this project was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
