The New Mexico Youth Alliance (NMYA) is recruiting youth ages 14-24 who are interested in participating in civic engagement opportunities to create positive change for youth in their communities. The NMYA was established in 2003 and is a statewide advisory group comprised of youth representatives from all around New Mexico. NMYA is a project of the Children Youth and Families Department and is housed at the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community, a non-profit organization which provides support to the Youth Alliance as well as its members and partnering organizations.

The NMYA hosts four annual conferences a year, where Youth Alliance members from all around New Mexico come together to work with other youth and participate in leadership workshops to expand their skills in promoting change in their communities. This phenomenal extracurricular opportunity will provide youth to understand the powerful role of youth voice and youth engagement to better support youth in New Mexico.

Read more: New Mexico Youth Alliance Opportunity

The First Lady’s Let’s Move! in Indian Country (LMIC) Initiative brings together federal agencies, communities, nonprofits, and corporate partners to support and advance the work that tribal leaders and community members are already doing to improve the health of American Indian and Alaska Native children.

Let’s Move! in Indian Country Launch
On May 25th, the Office of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! Initiative and four federal agencies launched Let’s Move! in Indian Country (LMIC) on the Menominee Reservation. Chairman Chevalier said “becoming a healthier community starts with our children, so I am delighted that we can address these issues in such a comprehensive way.” The Menominee Nation committed to Let’s Move! in Indian Country through the Call to Action.

“Three Sisters” Planting Event
First Lady Mrs. Obama and American Indian children spent the afternoon on June 3rd, in the White House kitchen garden using the “three sisters” traditional Native American planting technique which grows corns, beans, and squash crops in a mutually beneficial manner. Mrs. Obama said “we’re all pretty excited to continue this tradition. This is another example of a fun, easy way that we all can work together to be healthier.”

Read more: Let’s Move! in Indian Country (LMIC) - June 2011 eNewsletter

The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® five-mile walk will be held in Albuquerque at Cottonwood Mall on Sunday, May 1, 2011. This inspiring event unites the entire community to help create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays. Participants will help the American Cancer Society save lives by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures and by fighting back against the disease. You can gather a team of your fellow co-workers, family members, and friends, or walk as an individual. Volunteers are also needed to provide their time and talent to ensure this year’s Making Strides event is a success. For more information, call 505-559-9424, visit cancer.org/stridesonline or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For over a decade, state law has required the registration of any charity that existed, did business in, or solicited donations in the State of New Mexico. As of February 2010, all organizations that are registered with the New Mexico Attorney General's Charities Unit (A/G) must re-register via an online registration system. Also, tax return extensions must be requested online, whereas in the past the A/G accepted the IRS extension. The A/G has also informed us that the audit requirement for organizations with gross receipts exceeding $500,000 will only be waived in rare circumstances and only if the waiver is requested in advance.

Read more: Changes in the New Mexico Attorney General's Registration Requirements

The People's Freedom Caravan to the USSF

This is video 1 of a series of 4 that makes up a video journal. The KUNM Youth Radio Project attended the 2010 US Social Forum in Detroit, MI, June2010, by way of the People’s Freedom Caravan (PFC), organized by The SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP), Southwest Workers Union (SWU) and Southern Echo. The PFC stopped in various communities along the way to the 2010 USSF, where the Caravan Freedom Riders stood in solidarity with the activists and grass roots organizers.

In this first video, KUNM Youth Radio Project’s Josh Horton interviews Cecilia Frescas, a member of SWOP, and Lucia Martinez, a member of both SWOP and the KUNM Youth Radio Project, about their initial thoughts before the PFC trip and the 2010 USSF.

Read more: People’s Freedom Caravan

At the National Conference on Volunteerism and Service, Intel was awarded the 2010 Corporate Engagement Award from the Points of Light Institute in recognition of the dedication and positive impact of the Intel employees who volunteer in their communities around the world each year. The award specifically recognized the 1.3 million hours of volunteering Intel employees gave back to their communities in celebration of Intel’s 40th anniversary.

Read more: In the Company of Light - Intel -2010 Corporate Engagement Award