On a warm summer morning in Pagosa Springs, a group of local teens gathers at the farmers market. Some are helping set up tables piled high with fresh produce. Others are talking with community members, sharing what they’ve learned about healthy food and local growing. A few are behind the scenes, capturing photos and stories to share online.
They’re not just volunteers, they’re youth interns with Healthy Archuleta, and they’re helping shape the future of their community.
This summer, that opportunity is opening again.
Healthy Archuleta is now inviting youth ages 16 and older to apply for its paid Youth Internship Program, an eight-week experience that goes far beyond a typical summer job. Instead of clocking in and out, interns step into real community work, learning, contributing, and discovering how their voices and ideas matter.
For many participants, the experience starts with something simple, helping at a garden or event, but quickly grows into something bigger. Interns find themselves asking questions:
Where does our food come from?
Who has access to healthy options?
How can we make our community stronger?
Along the way, they gain hands-on experience supporting local efforts, from supporting the development of the community food hub to community gardens, food distribution, and outreach projects. Some help organize events. Others design social media campaigns. Many work together to bring new ideas forward.
But just as important as what they do is what they gain.
Interns build skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership. They learn how to speak up, collaborate, and take initiative. They begin to see how local systems, like food and health, connect to everyday life in Archuleta County.
And perhaps most importantly, they begin to see themselves as part of the solution.
Healthy Archuleta created the program with a simple belief: young people are not just the future, they are leaders right now. By investing in youth, the organization is helping build a stronger, more connected, and more resilient community.
For past interns, the experience often leaves a lasting impact. It’s not just about the work they do during those eight weeks; it’s about the confidence they carry forward, the relationships they build, and the sense of belonging they gain.
This summer, a new group of youth will have the chance to step into that experience.
If you’re someone who wants to learn new skills, meet new people, and make a difference in your community, this could be your moment. Apply for the Youth Internship Program: https://www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org/youth-engagement.html#internship. Positions are limited, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Because sometimes, all it takes is one summer to see your community, and your place in it, differently.