PdN Health Foundation Grant Expands Opportunities for Las Cruces Youth

Construction is underway on a new space in Las Cruces where children and teens can feel safe, supported, and inspired to grow. With support from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces broke ground on a new facility at 1005 El Paseo Rd on April 9. The event marked a milestone in expanding access to youth development programs and underscored the community’s commitment to helping kids and teens pursue healthy futures.

A $499,554 grant from the Foundation will support a Teen Center wing with a music room, computer lab, and homework lounge. The full facility is part of a $12 million capital campaign to expand services for youth in Las Cruces. This space will provide resources and guidance for children and teens as they explore their interests and begin shaping their future.

The Teen Center will serve youth like Ezekiel, an active member of the Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces, who helped turn the soil during the groundbreaking ceremony. “It’s personal. It’s about having a safe place to go, people who believe in me, and a chance to discover who I can become,” Ezekiel said.

Through workshops on civic engagement, financial literacy, and college readiness, the Teen Center will help youth build leadership skills and prepare for adulthood. The grant was made through the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s Healthy Kids program, an initiative under the Healthy Living priority area, which believes that well-designed activities strengthen protective factors that enable youth to lead healthy and productive lives.

This effort is made possible through funding from the MacKenzie Scott grant to the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, which continues to expand access to programs that support healthy living, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for future generations. Click here to learn more about how the MacKenzie Scott grant is improving health across the region.