- Details
- By Zuni Youth Enrichment Project
ZUNI, N.M. — Intergenerational relationships remain one of the strongest protective factors for Zuni youth. Recognizing the need to create space for young people and their families to learn, reflect and grow together, the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project will host a Family Engagement Night (FEN) on March 5 and free spring break programming March 16-20 for youth ages 6 to 18.
Family Engagement Night: Sketch & Learn
According to Tara Wolfe, ZYEP’s program manager, the staff sought to build on the success of last year’s FEN at the Zuni Senior Center. She said the 2025 event, which focused on vaping education, proved highly impactful.
“We had strong elder engagement with our hands-on learning activities, active dialogue with Zuni Police Department presenters, and valuable intergenerational knowledge exchange,” she explained. “The art component created important space for emotional processing and reflection. It gave our participants opportunities to express their thoughts and feelings through visual storytelling.”
To expand the educational focus this year, the ZYEP team turned to the experts: Zuni Middle School students. During a recent planning session with youth leaders and school staff, young people identified concerns about edible products, THC potency and delayed physiological effects, as well as confusion around substance terminology and product identification.
“That feedback shaped the content for this year’s event,” Wolfe said. “ZMS students are expressing confusion around edible potency, THC content, product recognition and evolving slang terminology.”
Supported through a supplemental overdose prevention grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the March 5 FEN program is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Zuni Middle School Library. It will include an interactive educational session led by Lt. John Homer of the Zuni Police Department, with approval from Chief of Police DeVan Lalio.
The session will cover topics such as edible products, substance trends — including opioid use — and associated health and legal implications, followed by a question-and-answer period. Shumak’olo:wa Health Center counselors will be available if participants need support during or after the presentation.
The evening will conclude with a guided sketch session, with ZYEP staff inviting youth and family members to reflect on what they learned and “leave their thoughts and emotions on the canvas,” Wolfe said. She noted that this creative component reinforces ZYEP’s healing-centered approach and encourages intergenerational dialogue in a low-pressure format.
“I feel that having a proactive approach and educating our youth and their families before possible drug use occurs can be very effective,” said ZMS Librarian Assistant Melinda Herron. “By removing the stigma of talking about drugs and actively educating individuals on how to be empowered to say no… we can reduce or prevent usage significantly.
“At the same time, providing resources for individuals to seek help if drug use has already occurred is key to stopping further use. If we all work together, we can achieve our common goal of ridding the schools and community of future drug use.”
Spring Break: Art, Food Sovereignty and Physical Activity
Wolfe and the ZYEP team also are creating additional activities for youth so they are engaged and feel supported during the Zuni Public School District’s spring break. On March 16-20, they will provide free programming for youth ages 6 to 18 at Ho’n A:wan Park.
Art activities for youth ages 6 to 12 are scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday, March 17-19, at 2-4 p.m.; these will include paper crafts, weaving, pop-up book creations and painting. Teens ages 13 to 18 will explore digital art, T-shirt design and introductory printing techniques on Monday and Friday, March 16 and 20, at 2-4 p.m.
For the nutrition component, ZYEP’s food sovereignty team will host its popular Shiwi Chefs program on Tuesday through Thursday, March 17-19. Twenty participants in the younger group will prepare creative no-cook snacks in the multipurpose room from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“The activities will be easy to make, easy to replicate at home and fun,” Wolfe said. “Recipes include Leprechauns and Rainbows, which are rice cake fruit pies with yogurt sauce, and healthy green Shamrock Smoothies.”
On the same three days, teens will gain hands-on experience preparing traditional and contemporary dishes in the kitchen from 2 to 4 p.m. They will use kitchen equipment and appliances to make foods such as parched corn, hebalokya (Zuni wheat pudding) and veggie-packed ramen.
Physical activities for youth ages 6-14 will take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday — March 16, 18 and 20 — from 3 to 5 p.m. ZYEP can accommodate 20 youth per activity, per age group.
Children of all ages will enjoy soccer, flag football and volleyball, while youth ages 9 and up also will have an opportunity to participate in archery. Pre-registration is advised, although on-site registration will be available with parental consent.
ZYEP will also host a Family Movie Night on March 17, featuring a Native-produced film intended to strengthen cultural connection and resilience. Registration is required, as space is limited.
“We’re showcasing a Native-produced film that is culturally relatable to Zuni youth and families, and it’s intended to strengthen resilience by fostering social and cultural connectedness,” Wolfe explained. “We’re inviting students and families of all ages to join us.”
Staff will facilitate a post-film dialogue and provide a supportive, healing space for families to reflect, share lived experiences and discuss personal and cultural connections to the film’s themes.
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