"The foundation of every state is the education of its youth" - Diogenes Laertius
JUNTOS
Joining & Understanding Now, Teens Overcome Separation. Juntos is a youth leadership effort that is addressing the issues that keep young people from Española and Los Alamos separate. It has expanded to Pojoaque and is still growing throughout Northern NM. It runs year round with no fee or application required. Adult and youth meetings are held monthly in both communities. A Youth Summit is held annually where youth stay overnight and experience team building activities and establish relationships with surrounding communities. This program is held in partnership with the Los Alamos Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (LAJJAB).
LAYL
Los Alamos Youth Leadership is a program for high school students that runs from August to April of each year. Students learn how to build relationships with family and friends, increase their confidence, learn relationship strategies and participate in outdoor team challenges. Teams create projects that benefit the community throughout the year. This program is in partnership with the LAJJAB.
Youth Mobilizers
The Youth Mobilizer program directly engages young people in meaningful ways in this community-change process. Three youth, ages 14-19, who live in Los Alamos, will receive an hourly wage based on their work and their own personal and professional development. They will be hired in August and work Monday thru Thursday from 3:30-5:30 pm. This program is in partnership with the LAJJAB.At the end of 2008 the Youth Mobilizers conducted a survey and studied the buying habits of teens in Los Alamos.
See the Teen Spending Report...
Y Earth Service Corps
Our mission: YMCA Earth Service Corps empowers young people to be effective, responsible, global citizens by providing opportunities for environmental education and action, leadership development and cross-cultural awareness.
Learn by DOING: YES Corps provides a unique opportunity for youth ages 11-17 to identify local environmental issues while working collaboratively to engage participants in community action.
YES Corps is a NATIONAL youth movement - check out the national website to see how our projects contribute global service learning!
LOCALLY, we combine volunteer service, environmental education and work experience in a program that focuses on trail improvement, landscaping, watershed restoration, fire ecology, organic gardening, groupwork, mentoring, and creative projects. Our supervised program includes CPR and First Aid certification, training and safety seminars, and educational and enrichment workshops.
Joining YES Corps will expose participants to the world of science, social justice and environmental studies through opportunities for environmental education and action, leadership development, and cross-cultural awareness.
YESC members initiate and implement projects that develop leaders, inspire individuals, and highlight the importance of sustaining our planet.
Join us and challenge your leadership skills, develop compassion for others, foster a respect for the environment, and TAKE ACTION within your community to create a healthy planet!
More information...See 2008 highlights...
**YES Corps (School Year 2009-2010) participants/parents, please fill out a program evaluation.**
Liability Waiver - Ages 13 & Over (124 KB)
Parent/Child Liability Waiver - Ages 12 & Under (105 KB)