LUVYANM (Leaders Uniting Voices Youth Advocates New Mexico)

LUVYA youth bond as a family, a safe place to be vulnerable, heal and grow. LUVYANM is a youth group, guided by CYFD and supported by HGNMF, of foster youth ages 16 to 21 that have or most likely will, age out of the foster care system without a family. CYFD workers bring youth from all over the state once a month to participate. Their mission is to be advocates for foster children. They come from all of New Mexico and meet on a monthly basis. For most youth, this group becomes a “family”. Each legislative session, they go to New Mexico’s Round House and speak with Legislators regarding the needs of foster children. They also host an annual 3 day independent living conference for 75 youth. The conference offers workshops that deal with specific needs of foster youth and provides life skills classes as well as emotional support. They also have some good clean fun with activities like swimming, dancing or roller skating.

LUVYANM monthly meetings - HGNMF provides a healthy lunch for the youth at their monthly meetings. HGNMF also brings in community partners, like the head of human relations at Enterprise Rental Car, to speak with the youth regarding job skills and how to interview for a job. Exercise and nutrition professionals come to give healthy living skills. Hands on cooking classes are held each month. The youth cook and eat a “family style” meal together.

Independent Living Youth 

Do you know what happens to youth who, at 18, age out of the foster care system without a family? Almost 50% experience homelessness and/or unemployment. Approx. 42% have no positive support in their lives. They are 2½ times more likely to become pregnant. Due to their many moves, 23% do not have their high school diploma or GED.

Life Skills

HGNMF provides life skills classes to youth ages 16 to 21 to help transition into successful adults. Many foster children are not given examples of living a healthy productive lifestyle. Without seeing a parent cook a good meal or go to work and come home with a paycheck, they often have no skills to bring with them to adulthood. Life skills provided by HGNMF are healthy cooking, nutrition and exercise classes as well as financial literacy and job skills. 

Personal Grants

Youth apply for personal grants for immediate needs. Personal grants fill the unique needs of each youth. Many aged-out youth find themselves homeless. HGNMF works to stabilize these youth by helping with rent and deposits while they wait for housing assistance. Other necessities such as educational assistance, computers, musical instruments, bicycles, even a prom dress are filled to break barriers to their success and provide hope and self-esteem.

Hope (Helping Other People Excel) Chest

HGNMF accepts household items to support aged out foster youth set up their homes. HGNMF partners with GiveABQ to provide furniture and larger items.  If you would like donate furniture, please contact GiveABQ and mention the Heart Gallery of NM Foundation.  GiveABQ will credit HGNMF for use by our aged out foster youth.

Holiday Party

HGNMF hosts an annual Holiday Party for the LUVYA youth. The youth cook and share a traditional holiday meal. They do holiday crafts some of which they give as gifts to their loved ones. Youth fill out wish lists that are filled by Secret Santas. For many youths, this is the only special memory of the holidays that they have.