New mexico child advocacy networks (nmcan) collaborates with young individuals who have experienced foster care, juvenile justice, or homelessness to foster community, equity, and advocacy

The New Mexico Child Advocacy Networks (NMCAN) received a $150,000 Project Grant (Award ID: 15PJDP24GG00790BRND) from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (CFDA 16.753 Congressionally Recommended Awards) for the period of October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025. The funding supports NMCAN's efforts to foster community, equity, and advocacy for young individuals who have experienced foster care, juvenile justice, or homelessness. NMCAN prioritizes a Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) approach by authentically engaging young people to shape community initiatives. The grant-funded programming aims to provide family-friendly support services, including intentional community building, personalized coaching for young parents, financial literacy training, and connecting young people to resources within the community. NMCAN's work through this federal grant award seeks to help young people develop technical and soft skills, access community resources, and build social capital while promoting self-advocacy and addressing barriers faced by underserved populations transitioning to adulthood.

Nmcan prioritizes a race, equity, diversity, and inclusion (redi) approach by authentically engaging young people to ensure their voices shape community initiatives. Their family-friendly programming aims to support young people and families through intentional community building, personalized coaching for young parents, financial literacy training, and connecting resources within the community.