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Kids Can Youth Entrepreneur Program: Building Skills for a Lifetime of Success

August 20, 2024

Generations of young entrepreneurs have shown that innovative thinking and a strong work ethic can create lasting success. The Kids Can Youth Entrepreneur Program (Kids Can-YEP), funded by the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s Healthy Kids Initiative, is dedicated to fostering these qualities in the youth of southern New Mexico. The program aims to equip at least 400 disconnected youth aged 6-17 with essential entrepreneurial skills through engaging and practical experiences. Delivered by the Community Action Agency of southern New Mexico, Kids Can-YEP operates across various settings, including after-school programs, summer camps, business fairs, workshops, and labs.

Program Highlights:

  • Mescalero Apache Schools: In spring 2024, 2nd to 5th graders participated in the Kids Can-YEP afterschool program, developing business plans for a lemonade stand. They successfully marketed and sold their lemonade at the Tribal Plaza, gaining hands-on experience in entrepreneurship.
  • Out-of-School Training: Various schools and community centers offered summer youth camps for ages 8-17. Programs included The Babysitting Club, Jr. Chefs, Business Builders, and Lemonade Kids, focusing on practical business and life skills.
  • Luna County Jr. Vendor Program: Launching on August 31, 2024, at Pepper’s Supermarket, this program provides youth a monthly platform to showcase and sell their products. The market will continue every fourth Saturday of the month. Kids Can-YEP is committed to teaching crucial life skills such as communication, financial literacy, leadership, personal empowerment, self-reliance, and teamwork. These skills help participants build confidence and a sense of connection to their future. For more information about the Healthy Kids Initiative, please visit pdnhf.org or contact Sandra Day, Associate Program Officer at the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, at sday@pdnfoundation.org.

PDNHF Initiative: Healthy Kids

The goal of the Healthy Kids Initiative is to improve a range of health outcomes by engaging disconnected youth in the Paso del Norte region in high quality programs during out-of-school hours. The Health Foundation refers to “disconnected youth” as people between the ages of 5-17 who are not involved in out-of-school activities or not working, and “disconnected young adults” as people between the ages of 16-24 who are not in school and not working. Evidence indicates that youth who are involved in out-of-school programs are less likely to use drugs, alcohol, or be involved in criminal activity. Well-designed youth activities increase protective factors needed for youth to lead healthy and productive lives.

View Strategy Brief (English)

View Strategy Brief (Español)

Foundation Staff: Sandra Day

Additional Links

https://www.theboostnetwork.org/

Healthy Kids
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