AmeriCorps VISTA
Southwest Youth Services is pleased to annouce a 3 year AmeriCorps VISTA & AmeriCorps project focusing on social, youth and economic development with Native communities  in New Mexico called the Native Youth Wellness Corps Project (NYWC). The NYWC will focus on the pressing youth development needs of Native communities to develop and increase the capacity of local youth resiliency, health & wellness, and prevention support. The NYWC will grow youth-led Postitive Youth Development projects and will align the 4 NWYC objectives:
1) To support existing Posite Youth Development programs in Native Communities
2) Develop the Youth Advisory Group Project to promote Postive Youth Development and youth resiliency programs for Native youth
3) Develop the Native America Soccer Project as a model for wellness, obesity, and diabetes prevention; and
4) Coordinate the Indigenous Soccer Cup as a youth summit using support to promote positive outcomes through culturally-relevant trainings in youth resiliency, leadership, life-skills, college preparation, and health & wellness. 

Native American Community Academy
SYS operations are based at Albuquerque’s innovative new charter middle school, the Native American Community Academy (NACA). SYS board member Kara Bobroff founded NACA in 2006 as an alternative middle school for Albuquerque-area students of American Indian descent. NACA’s educational philosophy is grounded in both the traditions of Native American people and a rigorous, modern approach to college-preparatory education.  

National Soccer Coaches Association of America
At the request of the executive board of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), SYS is helping to coordinate the Native American Soccer Coaches Committee. SYS is honored to have the opportunity to facilitate the formation of this committee, which will offer coaching education and support for Native soccer coaches across America’s Indian Country.  

Native P.R.I.D.E.
SYS and Native PRIDE have been partnering for the past 4 years. Native P.R.I.D.E. was founded by Clayton Small, Ph.D (Northern Cheyenne) and Maha Charani Small, Ph.D to assist Native people in the development and implementation of cultural and spiritual based programs that inspire wellness/healing, leadership development and positive changes for families, communities and organizations.  

National Indian Youth Leadership Project (NIYLP)
For over 25 years, NIYLP has been empowering the lives of Native youth through experiential education in a positive learning environment. Their adventure-based Project Venture includes rock climbing, hiking and rope courses to incorporate traditional American Indian values.  

 New Mexico Youth Soccer Association Soccer Start

In 2007, SYS will partner with the New Mexico Youth Soccer Association (NMYSA) Soccer Start program to offer youth soccer skills and coaching clinics. Soccer Start is a program designed to introduce the sport of soccer to youths living in communities not yet served by existing clubs and leagues. Focused on making soccer available to lower-income children in underserved communities, Soccer Start provides soccer training and administrative guidance to players and organizations that might otherwise not be exposed to the sport. 
 

 
New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community

 Support positive youth development and asset-based community development efforts throughout New Mexico in partnership with a diverse assembly of community-based organizations. Engaging communities through partnership with local entities is one of the Forum’s guiding principles.