“Youth are not problems for communities to solve; youth wish to help solve problems.”
A 2026 Healthy Archuleta youth intern shared these powerful words, which are now central to this year’s Youth Leadership and Community Engagement Internship. This summer, five local youth interns have been proving that when young people are given the opportunity to lead, they show up with compassion, creativity, integrity, and a genuine desire to make their community a better place. Rather than simply learning about the issues in their community, these interns have been stepping into the community and becoming part of the solution.
The summer started with one simple goal for the youth: give back. Something our interns have taken incredibly seriously. In just the first few weeks, they have already positively impacted the community in many ways. They planned and hosted peer events, including social connections like the “Kickback at the Park”. They supported the Pagosa Springs community garden by planting seeds and learning how local gardens can support local food access. They helped local families by collecting donations for the Archuleta Food Pantry Network during the quarterly food drive.
The internship has not only inspired interns to drive real change in their community but also introduced the group to the bigger picture of community health and resilience through discussions and hands-on experiences, for instance, harvesting hydroponically grown lettuce while learning about innovative ways to grow healthy, fresh food locally.
And visiting with community partners to learn about community assets, barriers to health, local food systems, and the challenges many residents face. Driven by a desire to make a real impact and to drive the change they want to see in a community, these interns prove that youth voices matter.
Beyond community service, the interns have taken on the challenge of creating spaces where young people can connect, have fun, and feel like they belong. By planning events open to all youth, providing healthy food, engaging activities, and a welcoming community, the goal is more than just entertainment; it’s an opportunity to build friendships, encourage leadership, and remind youth that their voices matter.
What has made this internship so unique and special isn’t the projects the youth have completed, but the mindset they are developing along the way. They are learning that making meaningful change does not always consist of a big budget and perfect planning. Sometimes, meaningful change simply starts with a few young people who care enough to get involved. If the start of summer is any indication, these interns are doing much more than completing an internship. They’re demonstrating that youth aren’t problems to be solved; they’re valuable partners in solving the challenges their community faces. To learn more about the efforts of Healthy Archuleta, visit our website at www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org or email us at fsfearchuleta@gmail.com.
A Salsa Garden Party Full of Flavor, Fun and Community
On Tuesday, June 16, laughter, learning, and a little bit of dirt filled the air as Healthy Archuleta’s CLAC en Español gathered at the sabroso stand Las Princesas Taquería for an unforgettable evening of container gardening with our amazing garden educator, Deborah.
Designed especially for this community, the class focused on one delicious idea: growing the ingredients we love right at home! For many Hispanic families, gardening is much more than planting vegetables; it’s a tradition passed from one generation to the next. It’s the scent of fresh cilantro picked just before dinner, the chile plants growing beside the porch, colorful flowers welcoming hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, and grandparents and parents teaching children how to care for the earth. Gardens have long been places where culture, family, food, and love come together, and this evening celebrated those traditions while creating new memories for the next generation. More than 37 community members, families, and staff came together to enjoy a delicious dinner provided by Las Princesas before rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty!
Deborah, our wonderful garden expert, shared inspirational ideas for the container gardens, such as a salsa garden, a pizza garden, a herb garden, a barbeque or carne asada seasoning/rub garden, and more. She showed everyone how to put them together by choosing the right pot sizes, pairing companion plants, building healthy soil, and caring for plants throughout the season. Participants planted patio tomatoes, chile peppers, habaneros, bell peppers, cilantro, oregano, parsley, sage, basil, kale, eggplant, and colorful flowers to attract our very important pollinators. Every garden was unique, reflecting each family’s favorite flavors, recipes, and traditions.
While the adults planted, our children’s educator, Samantha, kept the young gardeners busy with a fun pot-painting activity. Every child planted a strawberry to take home, along with new gardening skills and the excitement of growing something of their own. Who knows, we may have inspired a few future gardeners!
One of the biggest takeaways from the evening was how easy and affordable container gardening can be. Whether you have a small patio, balcony, porch, or even a sunny window, you can grow fresh herbs, vegetables, flowers, and salsa ingredients right at home. By the end of the evening, adults and children alike left with smiling faces, dirt-covered hands, beautiful container gardens, and the confidence to continue growing healthy food at home. More importantly, they left carrying forward a tradition that has nourished Hispanic families for generations, sharing food grown with love, caring for the earth, and gathering around the table with family and friends.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, organized, and helped make this event such a success. Together, we’re cultivating healthier families, celebrating our rich cultural traditions, and growing a stronger community, one small garden at a time. To learn more about Healthy Archuleta and upcoming community events, visit www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org or email fsfearchuleta@gmail.com.