Nontraditional Leadership

Many of our staff are “BTDT’s”—Been There, Done That—previously incarcerated or otherwise familiar with life on the street—but they have now chosen a life of service to the community. These staff members act as “nontraditional leaders” or role models for our youth. We provide our youth with opportunities to speak publicly and meet other nontraditional leaders including international youth activists and well known figures including Harry Belafonte, a supporter of our project, actor Danny Glover, and actor Danny Trejo (see picture on right).

La Placita Gardens

We manage La Placita Gardens, a 12-acre community farm that has been growing food in Albuquerque’s South Valley for 300 years. Many of our youth come from families recently removed from a farming heritage. We help re-establish this link. From planting the seeds to harvesting the crops and selling produce at local farmers markets, our youth work alongside the broader South Valley Community to keep this farm alive.

Our partners include the American Friends Service Committee, NMSU, UNM, Bernalillo County Open Space, Amigos Bravos, ARCA, Gardens Edge, Erda Gardens and Peanut Butter and Jelly, among others.

La Cultural Cura

We help our youth reconnect to their indigenous roots—through traditional teachings, talking circles, and sweat ceremonies—both inside and outside of prison. We also provide sweat ceremonies for returning veterans who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. “La Cultura Cura”—culture cures—is La Plazita’s core philosophy—and it enables us to work effectively with individuals who do not respond to more mainstream services.

Making a Change Youth Programs

Our T-MAC (Thugs Making a Change), and S-MAC (Sisters Making a Change) Programs form the foundation for all our work with New Mexico youth. These groups of young men and women participate in weekly talking circles, sweat ceremonies, and outings to expand their ease of movement through “multiple worlds”—for example, fishing and camping trips, trips to the rodeo, bowling, the movies and travel to leadership conferences. Our P-MAC (Parents Making a Change) program supports the parents, or extended families caring for these youth.

We also work with administrators and staff in the police force, the prisons, the courts, and public schools, training them to work effectively with our youth.

We provide our youth and their families with ongoing support in times of crisis—whether the need is spiritual, physical, or emotion. Your support makes this work possible.