Reconnecting Roots:

In Albuquerque’s South Valley, La Plazita Institute stands as a beacon of hope, healing, and cultural empowerment. Rooted in the philosophy of “La Cultura Cura” (“Culture Heals”), La Plazita uses land, traditions, and community as tools to uplift at-risk youth and families. Over the years, the institute has built a unique model that combines traditional healing practices, land-based education, and community engagement to address systemic challenges and foster growth. With the support of the Outdoor Equity Fund (OEF), La Plazita has been able to expand its programming, enhancing its impact and deepening its connection to the land and people it serves.

La Plazita’s mission is to create opportunities for vulnerable youth and families to reconnect with their roots, their community, and themselves. For many of the youth they serve, life has been defined by systemic inequities, generational trauma, and daily stressors like poverty, homelessness, and violence. As Jasmyne Muñoz, a navigator at La Plazita, explains, “Talk therapy isn’t always the best way for these youth to process their emotions. Sometimes, simply being outdoors—feeling the sun on their skin or working with the earth—can be a transformative experience.”

The organization’s approach is holistic and deeply tied to the land. Through programs like farming workshops, outdoor art classes, and culturally significant excursions to places like the Sandia Mountains and the Bosque, La Plazita creates spaces where youth can learn, heal, and grow. The outdoors is not just a setting but an active participant in the healing process, offering a nonjudgmental and nurturing environment for reflection and connection.

The Outdoor Equity Fund, established to increase access to outdoor opportunities for underrepresented communities, has played a pivotal role in amplifying La Plazita’s impact. While La Plazita has always integrated land-based practices into its programming, OEF funding allowed the organization to elevate and expand these initiatives in new and meaningful ways.

“The funding helped us enhance our programs and think more intentionally about how we connect youth to the outdoors,” said Norma Gamble, La Plazita’s Deputy Director of HR and Fund Development. “We’ve always worked to create healing spaces, but OEF enabled us to build on that foundation and offer even more opportunities for transformative experiences.”

With OEF’s support, La Plazita introduced new workshops that blended cultural traditions with outdoor education. These included:

• Farm-to-Table Workshops: Youth learned to grow and harvest food, grind corn, and make tortillas using traditional methods. These workshops not only taught practical skills but also connected participants to ancestral knowledge about nourishment and sustainability.
• Outdoor Art Classes: Youth ventured into the Bosque to gather natural materials and use them as inspiration for creative projects, fostering a deeper appreciation for the land and its resources.
• Excursions to Culturally Significant Sites: Trips to the Sandia Mountains and other landmarks helped youth learn about the historical and spiritual significance of these spaces, including how their ancestors used them to connect with other communities.

These programs offered youth a chance to see the outdoors as a classroom, a source of inspiration, and a place for healing. For many participants, it was their first time engaging with the land in this way, and the impact was profound.

The impact of La Plazita’s work is best captured in the stories of the individuals who have experienced it firsthand. Siddiq, a former participant and now a staff member, exemplifies the transformative power of these programs. Once incarcerated, Siddiq began volunteering with La Plazita through their art programs. He later joined the farm team, where he discovered a passion for working the land.

“I never saw myself working on a farm,” Siddiq shared. “But here I am, weighing vegetables instead of weighing other things. It’s changed my perspective completely.” Today, Siddiq not only helps manage the farm but also mentors other youth, passing on the lessons he’s learned.

Another participant, Xiuy, has dedicated years to advocacy and community service through La Plazita. As the leader of the institute’s conservation group, Xiuy and his team worked at the Valle de Oro Wildlife Refuge, assisted elders with home projects, and organized cleanup efforts in the community. For Xiuy, these experiences reinforced his commitment to making a difference and inspired him to consider new career paths in environmental conservation.

Then there’s Mondo, a quieter youth who found his voice through La Plazita’s outdoor programming. Before joining the institute, Mondo rarely left his home and struggled to envision a future for himself. Through farm work and conservation projects, he gained confidence and a sense of purpose. Today, he works alongside Siddiq on the farm, contributing to La Plazita’s mission while continuing his personal journey of growth.

For many participants, these programs have opened doors to new possibilities. Jasmyne Muñoz recalls her own experience as a youth who lacked access to outdoor opportunities. “The first time I traveled outside Albuquerque was in high school,” she said. “It was eye-opening and gave me a sense of what was possible. That’s what we aim to provide for our youth—a chance to dream bigger and think beyond their current circumstances.”

The institute’s programs also expose youth to potential career paths and entrepreneurship opportunities they may not have considered. Through hands-on experiences in farming, conservation, and community engagement, participants learn skills that could lead to jobs in agriculture, environmental science, or even starting their own businesses. For some, these programs plant the seeds of a lifelong connection to the land and its stewardship.

Despite its success, La Plazita’s ability to sustain and grow these programs depends on consistent funding. The OEF’s support has been instrumental in creating opportunities for youth, but the need for long-term, sustainable funding is critical. Without it, programs that have already proven transformative risk being scaled back or discontinued.

Norma Gamble emphasizes the importance of investing in initiatives like La Plazita’s. “The outdoors provides a space for healing and growth that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. For our youth, it’s not just about being outside—it’s about rediscovering themselves, their culture, and their potential. OEF funding has made that possible, and we need to ensure it continues.”

As La Plazita looks to the future, its leaders envision even greater integration of outdoor programming into their core mission. Plans include expanding partnerships, offering more advanced workshops, and creating additional opportunities for youth to explore New Mexico’s vast landscapes.

“The land has always been a teacher,” Jasmyne said. “We’re just creating the spaces for youth to listen and learn.”

With the continued support of the Outdoor Equity Fund, La Plazita Institute will remain a vital force for change, providing at-risk youth with the tools, experiences, and inspiration they need to thrive. By investing in these programs, New Mexico is not only transforming individual lives but also building stronger, more resilient communities for generations to come.