Finding more than an after-school program

A ride after school, help with homework, or a game of basketball may bring teens to the City of Las Cruces’ Teen Connection Program. For many, those afternoons become much more than a way to pass the time. 

The Teen Connection Program serves students in grades 6 through 12 at the Frank O’Brien Papen Community Center and East Mesa Recreation Center, offering homework assistance, recreation, meals and enrichment activities at no cost to families. 

Recreation Services Supervisor Zach Guy said the program connects teens with opportunities throughout the community. 

“We try to be that pillar aspect for them, where they can come, have a safe spot to hang out, play, and get some work done if they need to,” Guy said.  

The program also introduces participants to experiences outside the classroom through partnerships with community organizations. Teens take part in STEM projects, art workshops, resume writing, mock interviews and outings that include kayaking, hiking, museum visits and trips to White Sands National Park.  

For Guy, the program’s impact is measured by the relationships it builds with young people and their families. He recalled one participant whose parents were going through a divorce and who struggled during the transition. She remained involved in Teen Connection throughout high school before graduating, and her mother later thanked staff for providing stability during a difficult time. 

“Mom thanked us a lot because they felt if she wasn’t in program, she probably would have been out doing other bad stuff,” Guy said.  

Guy also remembered a teenager in foster care who aged out of the system while participating in the program. Staff helped the student complete housing paperwork and provided character references throughout the process. Recreation Administrator Judy Barela said those moments are what continue to motivate the staff. 

“We’ve had a lot of kids that have come through the program, not just this program, but the kids’ program, and it impacted them so much that they returned as student recreates and are working for the city,” Barela said. “They now want to give back to the community by working for the program.”  

Community partnerships have also helped expand what Teen Connection can offer. Organizations including New Mexico State University, Doña Ana Community College and local nonprofits provide activities and learning opportunities that expose teens to new interests while strengthening connections throughout the community.  

Barela said the program welcomes families from across Las Cruces and hopes more parents will take advantage of what Teen Connection has to offer. 

“It’s a place where kids and the teens can be seen, and they get exposure to a lot of things that they probably wouldn’t outside their homes,” Barela said.  

Teen Connection is free for students in grades 6 through 12. For more information or to register, visit www.lascruces.gov/play.