Welcome to El Poder de los Jovenes

The purpose of the project is to promote positive outcomes in Southern Dona Ana County for youth and young people with developmental disabilities in employment, education, healthy lifestyles and recreation/leisure. We believe that:

• Youth and young people with developmental disabilities have capabilities, potential, promise and are able to contribute to their communities.
• Youth and young people with developmental disabilities should have the freedom to make their own choices, be a part of everyday community life, and have the opportunity to lead meaningful lives driven by their interests, likes, and desires.
• All people with disabilities have value and should be treated with dignity and respect.

Why is the Project Needed?

• The need for greater awareness, on the part of both individuals with disabilities and their families, of their rights and of services and activities that are available to them and for advocacy skills to enable them to enforce those rights, obtain needed services and participate in local activities.
• The shortage of convenient and accessible transportation makes participation in community activities even more difficult.
• Employment rates for young people with developmental disabilities are low.
• Healthier Lifestyles for individuals with developmental disabilities promote healthier attitudes.
• The majority of students with developmental disabilities are primarily segregated and do not participate in extracurricular activities with the general population.

Project Goals

1. To form and operate a resource network providing information, referral and support to promote positive outcomes for young people with developmental disabilities in the areas of education, employment, recreation and healthy lifestyles.
2. To make people and organizations in Southern Dona Ana County aware of El Poder de los Jovenes and the services it will provide; and to create interest in participating in and/or supporting the center’s activities.
3. To increase self-advocacy and self-determination skills of young people with disabilities in order to help them achieve their goals and improve educational and employment outcomes.
4. To increase the capacity of community organizations to include and support young people with disabilities.
5. To identify and empower Emerging Leaders (individuals ages 18-30) to determine and achieve their own goals relating to education, employment, recreation and healthy lifestyle. Emerging Leaders are youth and young people with developmental disabilities who really want to make a difference in their communities. Each Emerging Leader will:
• Engage in a person-centered planning process that will help them identify his/her own goals and steps to achieve them.
• Be matched with a mentor and meet regularly with the mentor
• Receive self-advocacy training
• Engage in community leadership and/or policymaking activities such as testifying before a public body or participating in a committee or group to have input into policymaking or to serve the community.

El Poder de los Jovenes is coordinated out of The Arc of New Mexico’s southern office located in Anthony, New Mexico. Youth and young adults with disabilities in Southern Dona Ana County who are interested in participating in the project should contact:

Priscilla Salinas, Project Coordinator

psalinas@arcnm.org

The Arc of New Mexico
P.O. Box 157
La Mesa, NM 88044
Phone: (505) 882-9208
Fax: (505) 882-5579