12 YEARS EMPOWERING YOUTH LEADERS
Reprinted from the Costilla County Free Press
San Luis, CO – In the past year, 14 youth leaders participated in more than 20 different learning and work experiences — earning $15 per hour for their involvement. The year began in April with the annual cleaning of the acequias and quickly expanded into opportunities across Colorado.
One of the year’s highlights came when RedLine Contemporary Art Center invited the youth to perform at its annual gala in Denver. The students performed their music video, “Unstoppable,” created in collaboration with Denver-based bilingual hip hop band 2MX2. The video was funded by RedLine Gallery. In a stunning performance before a packed venue, the youth received a standing ovation. Youth leaders involved were Jordin Portillo, Maximiliano Rivera, Diego Franco, Elijah Sanchez, and Jacob Portillo.
Back home, work began on the community garden in partnership with young farmer Amyas Maestas. The youth planted and tended 14 acres of vegetables.
The program also continued its 10-year partnership with the Adaptive Sports Center at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, participating in a week of outdoor summer activities as well as a week of skiing and snowboarding.
Locally, youth partnered with SLV GO’s Esteban Salazar to organize biking and hiking trips in El Rito Seco Park. They also went fishing at the Stabilization Reservoir with Alternative Solutions and D.J. Salazar, and assisted in a backpack giveaway to 100 students from Centennial School District during the Santa Ana Festival.
Youth leaders participated in the Future Town Forum at the Fort Garland Museum, attended the Rita J. Martinez Youth Leadership Conference at Colorado State University-Pueblo. At the conference, one student won a laptop computer. Move Mountains youths traveled to Denver with youths from Saguache to attend a Mental Indigenous Wellness Workshop hosted by Servicios de La Raza.
A major initiative this year was the continuation of the Health Equity Youth Alliance (H.E.Y.A.), a year-long project, in partnership with Heart of Saguache Youth. Youth leaders participate in an anti- oppression curriculum, meet monthly and attend two separate two-week convergences. Upon completion, each student receives a $4,000 stipend and a new iPad.
In an innovative academic partnership, Move Mountains, Centennial High School, and University of Colorado Denver launched a pilot program allowing qualifying high school students to earn a Data Scientist Certification upon graduation. Students complete four online courses: data program coding, statistics, data wrangling, and machine learning methods. Last semester, 10 students successfully completed the first course. A family celebration honored both the students and their instructor, Evans Opoku. Students also received a $50 appreciation stipend from Move Mountains Youth Project Inc. Those students are Karlina Lovato, Sezzerae Medina, Roarik Patrick, Delfino Rael, Saphira Rael, Angel Sandoval, Chantell Vigil, Aaron Salcido, Josiah Rael, and Mariah Portillo.
Most recently, youth leadership has expanded into civic engagement. Jordin Portillo, Santiago De La Torre, and Mariah Portillo now serve on the board of the San Luis Valley Prevention Coalition, a youth drug prevention coalition under the umbrella of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley. Each will earn $750 for their participation.
Additionally, five youth leaders are participating in the Colorado Youth Congreso, a statewide initiative involving 70 students. Youth study “The Four Theories of Social Change” and work on a community issue under one of those frameworks. Move Mountains youth selected the 8-foot fence on La Sierra as their focus.
Beyond paid programming, youth leaders contributed countless volunteer hours required for graduation, assisting senior citizens, the San Luis Food Bank, the Town of San Luis, acequia cleanings, and other community efforts.
The organization is also proud of former youth leaders Diego Franco and Will Kirk, cast members in The Milagro Beanfield War play, who are now attending Adams State University as theatre majors.
Current youth leaders include Alelia Salcido, Jordin Portillo, Joshua Sanchez, Will Kirk, Diego Franco, Mariah Portillo, Santiago De La Torre, Anisa Rael, Jacob Portillo, Elijah Sanchez, Maximiliano Rivera, and Jeremy Rael.
Move Mountains extends a heartfelt thank you to the parents and grandparents who entrust the organization with their children and continually support and encourage them. Deep gratitude also goes to the many funders and partners who make these opportunities possible, including the Town of San Luis, San Luis Tax & Lodging Committee, AJL Foundation, Chinook Fund, RedLine Contemporary Art Center, 2MX2, Boys & Girls Clubs of the SLV, Nancy Molina, CYO, Jason Romero, Heart of Saguache, Laurie Vigil, SLV GO, Esteban Salazar, Alternative Solutions, D.J. Salazar, Adaptive Sports Center, Servicios de La Raza, Neva Martinez Ortega, CU Denver, Dr. Steve Del Castillo and Dr. Danny Martinez, and Centennial High School.
A special shoutout goes to Jason Medina, who drives youths to events and continuously supports the program in countlessways.