Students tackle community issues through summer program

Concerns about immigration, economic uncertainty and the future of work brought a group of Las Cruces students together this month for Summer of Dreams, a program that introduces participants to organizing and community engagement. 

Organized by the New Mexico Dream Team, the program brings together middle school, high school and college students for workshops centered on political organizing, storytelling and civic participation. About 15 students are taking part in the Las Cruces program this year, according to organizers. 

Sophia Sangwanthong, organizing manager for the New Mexico Dream Team, said Summer of Dreams was created to help participants better understand the issues shaping their lives while developing practical skills they can use in their schools and communities. 

“Summer of Dreams is an opportunity for youth to learn more about political organizing so they can impact issues in their schools and communities,” Sangwanthong said. “They can learn organizing skills around the political issues that matter to them so that they can have agency and an impact on the communities that they live in.” 

During the program’s first week, students identified concerns ranging from immigration and the economy to the growing role of artificial intelligence and uncertainty about future job opportunities. 

“These are really unique and interesting, but also troubling times in 2026,” Sangwanthong said. “We really want to give them a space to talk about these issues, build community and learn how they can take action in their communities.” 

Participants spend the summer working through a series of workshops that explore narrative-building, organizing fundamentals, and how public policy decisions affect everyday life. Community leaders and representatives from local organizations also visit the program to share their experiences and offer guidance. 

Sangwanthong said the program specifically focuses on BIPOC, immigrant and LGBTQ youth, communities she believes are often excluded from political and civic conversations. 

“These are the students who are most vulnerable, who maybe feel like they don’t have a voice, or are alienated from these political systems,” she said. “Offering them a space where they can hear their voices and the voices of their peers and think about the actions they can take is really important.” 

For Karla R., a student at New Mexico State University participating in the program, the experience has provided an opportunity to strengthen skills she hopes to use both professionally and in service of her community. 

“I joined Summer of Dreams because I wanted to develop advocacy skills that will help me make a positive impact beyond clinical practice,” Karla R. said. “As someone pursuing a career in psychology, I know individual care is important, but meaningful change also happens at the community level.” 

Karla R. said one of the discussions that resonated most with her involved Project Jupiter, a proposed development that has drawn public attention in the region. 

“The program has already helped me think more critically about community organizing and advocacy,” she said. “It has reinforced the importance of collective action and given me practical tools to help create change.” 

Organizers said they hope participants leave the program with practical tools to address issues affecting their communities and confidence in their ability to contribute to local conversations. 

“If students are feeling like they have ideas and projects they want to work on in their schools and local communities, that’s success,” Sangwanthong said. “Their voices matter.”