More than a program

Not every young person who walks through the doors of the La Vida Project is looking for the same thing. 

Some arrive seeking academic support. Others are looking for guidance, connections, or resources they may not be able to find elsewhere. For many youth and families across Las Cruces and Doña Ana County, the downtown center has become a place where those challenges meet solutions. 

Located at 118 S. Main St. in the heart of downtown Las Cruces, La Vida Project serves as a hub for programs designed to support young people through a variety of challenges, ranging from mental health concerns and family instability to transportation barriers and questions about identity. 

“It’s a hub,” said Matthew Cashion, clinical director of non-CCBHC programming. “A location that houses many, many different programs.” 

Since opening in 2020, the center has expanded to provide services for youth and emerging adults through mentorship, skill-building opportunities, community activities, and specialized support programs. While each program serves a different purpose, staff members said they all share the same goal: helping young people feel supported while preparing them for the future. 

One of those programs is the Out-of-School Time program, which serves students in grades K-12 through after-school and summer activities. Program supervisor Bri Borunda said those hours outside the classroom can play an important role in a young person’s development. 

“Statistically, the hours after school are so pivotal for youth,” Borunda said. “To be able to have a safe space for them does a lot of great benefits.” 

Throughout the year, participants take part in activities focused on STEM education, literacy, social-emotional learning, art, and physical activity. During the summer, youth attend daily programming that combines structured learning with recreation and community engagement. 

Recent activities have included field trips, family events, cultural workshops and an Indigenous drum-making class led by Apache drum maker Yolanda Martinez. 

Borunda said the program also gives staff an opportunity to help young people discover interests and strengths that may not always emerge in a traditional classroom setting. 

“Most youth don’t really get that chance to be in the driver’s seat,” Borunda said. 

Staff members often see participants arriving carrying challenges that extend beyond school. Some are still dealing with difficulties at home.  

“There’s a lot of times when they are dealing with a lot of trauma at home or at school,” Borunda said. “They get to come here. They get to let down and connect with us on a person and human level.” 

Another major component of La Vida Project is House of Kahlo, a program serving LGBTQ+ youth and young adults throughout southern New Mexico. 

Program supervisor Zed Serna said the program works to provide support, education and connection for youth, families and educators. In addition to hosting community events and social gatherings, House of Kahlo partners with schools throughout the region to meet students where they are. 

“We are there just kind of in that listening area of what they’re needing,” Serna said. “And then from there, we try to bring some stuff that they’re struggling with to them.” 

That outreach grew in part from one of the biggest challenges participants face: transportation. Not every family can easily travel downtown for services, Serna said. As a result, staff members frequently bring programming into schools and community locations while helping families identify transportation options and other resources. 

The need extends beyond programming alone. Staff members regularly connect youth and families with practical resources, including clothing, school supplies, and food assistance. 

House of Kahlo’s clothing closet provides access to donated items, while La Vida Project frequently partners with community organizations to distribute backpacks, supplies and other necessities throughout the year. 

According to Serna, House of Kahlo has served nearly 500 individuals through events and programming over the past year, with hundreds more participating in activities multiple times. For many participants, simply having access to a welcoming environment can make a significant difference 

The impact of those efforts is often reflected in the feedback staff receive from participants and families. 

“One thing that I’ve noticed is they’ve really felt heard, and they feel seen, and they feel valued as humans,” Borunda said. 

For Serna, the most meaningful feedback often centers on something even more fundamental.  

“Safe spaces right now are very important,” Serna said. “We’re not just being safe spaces,” we’re being safe people.” 

As the La Vida Project continues to grow, staff members said the focus remains on creating opportunities for youth while responding to needs that continue to evolve across the community. La Vida Project Youth Success Center is part of Families & Youth Innovations Plus (FYI+) which also operates The Juntos Project Family Success Center, and a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in Las Cruces. Learn more at: fyiplusnm.org.

For residents unfamiliar with the center, Borunda said the atmosphere itself often leaves a lasting impression. 

“LVP downtown has such a vibe,” she said. “We’re warm, we’re caring, and we’re just very open and a safe space.”