From Our Team

Creating a culture of Healthy Eating and Active Living is key to regional well-being

Posted on June 7, 2019 by Jana Renner

We’ve all heard from experts, physicians, friends and family about the benefits of eating healthier and leading an active lifestyle. Unfortunately, if these aren’t habits you picked up at an early age, they can be harder to develop later in life.

But with the help of La Semilla Food Center’s Edible Education and La Cosecha programs, students and community members of all ages in southern New Mexico and El Paso are not only learning the benefits of gardening, they are getting hands-on experiences growing, cultivating, and cooking fruits and vegetables.

The Edible Education program is…

Improving Patient Care through Data Sharing

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Guest Author

My daughter is not even two years old yet, but she already has medical records across El Paso. She was born at The Hospitals of Providence, has seen a specialist at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, has been to the emergency room at El Paso Children’s Hospital for a high fever, and has had labs done at a University Medical Center clinic. She is very young and healthy, but you can imagine how complicated it can get for those who are older and require more medical care. Providers need this vital information from across different organizations, particularly in emergency…

Is your child vaping?

Posted on April 9, 2019 by Bianca De León

You might not be aware of it, but there’s a new trend amongst teens that is sweeping the nation.

It’s not the latest K-pop boy group, or flashy sneakers. This trend can sometimes be harder to detect, making it more attractive to teens looking to conceal their new interest from parents and teachers.

The trend is vaping – the inhaling of a vapor created by an electronic cigarette. E-cigarettes are devices that operate by heating a liquid solution to a high enough temperature so that it produces an aerosol that is inhaled. Vapes, vape pens, mods, tanks, juuls, and suorins are also common…

Gathering at the family table helps improve health

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Enrique Mata

As Spring weather approaches I look forward to finding some time to grill outdoors with my family and take advantage of some beautiful El Paso evenings. With my two daughters busy with school work and out of school activities, we must work hard to set aside at least one evening a week to gather at the family table. Studies show that there are multitude of benefits that come from eating together as a family. My own two decades of parental experience also reinforce that the mental health and emotional well-being benefits are too great to ignore.

Disconnecting from technology and the…

REALIZE trainings build competency among current and potential nonprofit board members

Posted on February 7, 2019 by Michael Kelly

Each year, hundreds of men and women throughout the Paso del Norte region answer the call to serve on nonprofit boards. The organizations they lead provide services including support for people in need, education, arts, youth sports and animal welfare.

Whatever their mission, board members would benefit from training and tools to effectively fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities and make a positive impact on our community.

Last week, 45 board members, representing 25 nonprofit organizations, participated in the first of a series of workshops that will not only help them better…

El Paso leading the charge in national fight against obesity

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Jana Renner

Three hundred thousand El Pasoans struggle with obesity. The latest science shows that obesity is a complex disease that generally requires medical treatment. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention defines obesity as a Body Mass Index (BMI) at or above 30 for an adult. Unfortunately, only a handful of healthcare providers – nationwide – know how to treat this condition. El Paso has been no exception … until now.

In 2018, the Paso del Norte Institute for Healthy Living (IHL) at the University of Texas at El Paso, with funding from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, created two…

Generous Hearts, Caring Community - 2018 Year-End Giving

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Mica Short

One of my favorite quotes has always been words spoken by Winston Churchill, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Whether it is time, talent, or treasure that is given, each of us can make the world a better place, and when we work together to make a difference, our impact and reach is even greater.

The Paso del Norte Foundation exists in part to help bring your philanthropic vision to reality. We embrace the roles of the public sector, private enterprise, religious institutions, and a generous spirit of philanthropy to promote the well-being and…

Kids should have a caring and trusted adult in their lives

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Bianca De León

Growing up, I have distinct memories of confiding in two trusted adults in my life who weren’t my parents. The first was my Aunt Gloria. I remember talking to her about a lot of things in my formative years — everything from going to college to my friends. She was also the relative closest to me when I was in college and my go-to person when I was homesick or overwhelmed. The other trusted adult in my life was Mrs. Glover. She was the mother of a high school friend. I confided in Mrs. Glover about stressful situations. She always seemed happy to lend a listening ear and share her wisdom. I…

Adults control the environments in which young people learn about alcohol

Posted on October 2, 2018 by Guest Author

Fall is the time for football, holidays, and activities that bring families and friends together. Unfortunately, it is also a time when underage drinking occurs.

If you have been to an EPISD high football game in the last few weeks, you probably heard an announcement regarding the importance and the consequences of hosting underage drinking parties. This announcement is intended to educate parents and teens about a new effort to tackle underage drinking.

A social host ordinance went into effect in El Paso in June 2017. This ordinance holds property owners, parents, and other adults…

Parents role in preventing bullying

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Enrique Mata

As the 2018-2019 school year begins, kids are starting off fresh with new opportunities to develop friendships and social networks. This is a special time when life-long connections can form. It can also be an emotionally challenging time. In addition to getting to know teachers and getting familiar with school assignments, parents must be vigilant to prevent childhood bullying.

According to the StopBullying.gov website, bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social….