ZUNI, N.M. (March 27, 2026) — This March, the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project created meaningful opportunities for young people and families to connect, learn and grow together through two Family Engagement Nights and a week of new spring break programming. Together, the events served nearly 100 participants across multiple age groups.
Made possible with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Tribal Practices for Wellness in Indian Country, the March programs provided safe, supportive spaces and enriching activities designed to strengthen family bonds and promote youth well-being.
Family “Sketch & Learn” Night
ZYEP’s March 5 Family Engagement Night, titled “Sketch & Learn,” brought together youth, parents and community partners for an evening focused on substance use awareness and open dialogue. Thirty-seven participants attended the session, which addressed topics identified as important by Zuni Middle School students.
ZMS stakeholders and the National Junior Honor Society reported that students’ greatest concerns involved edibles and opioids. In particular, they reported wanting to learn more about THC-laced products, potency levels, delayed physiological effects and the risk of accidental overconsumption.
Facilitated by ZYEP Program Manager Tara Wolfe and Youth Development Coordinator Kiara “Kiki” Zunie, the program included presentations from Zuni Police Department cadets as well as staff from Shumak’olo:wa Health Center and Zuni Middle School.
“The cadets were able to present despite the need for them elsewhere, and we are deeply grateful to them for taking the time to speak about these important topics for our community,” Wolfe said. “We’d like to offer a special shoutout to Sergeant Romancito for making an impact with her years of lived experience and the stories she shared with us.”
The ZYEP team created space for attendees to reflect and process these complex topics together. Approximately 90 percent of attendees reported they learned new information about both opioids and edibles, and how they affect health and well-being.
“I learned there are a lot of things that are very dangerous for the kids my age,” one youth participant said. “I also saw how many people care about us — and that we are healing as a community.”
Attendees also expressed interest in continued education around vaping, alcohol use and other health-related topics, highlighting the importance of ongoing engagement. The evening concluded with a guided sketch session, a creative component that reinforces ZYEP’s healing-centered approach.
Family Paint Night
Building on the success of the March 5 event, ZYEP hosted a second family engagement event on March 17. Family Paint Night welcomed 19 participants ranging in age from 2 to 58.
“We originally had planned to do a movie night, but the March 5 Family Engagement Night was such a success, we decided to pivot,” said Wolfe, who facilitated the event with ZYEP Youth Development Leader Rani Yamutewa. “We invited families to join us for a magical evening of art-making, creativity and family fun.”
The event illustrated the importance of providing safe environments for families to connect, share stories, decompress from life’s stressors and bond. Those safe spaces and connections ultimately are protective factors against engaging in risky behaviors.
“There is a reason you are here tonight,” Wolfe told participants. “We support the strong family bonds you have created. Tonight’s vision is to have you collectively paint what comes to mind, enjoy some food, listen to music, and have a discussion about our art.”
Participants echoed that sense of connection in post-event surveys, citing takeaways such as spending quality time with family, communicating with peers, practicing patience, being present and building stronger relationships. More than 60 percent said they learned more about how culture and traditions can protect health and well-being, and several attendees also expressed a desire for more events like this in the future.
ZYEP’s food sovereignty team prepared healthy snacks for the group, including fresh fruits and vegetables with homemade ranch dressing. Attendees reported that these were a highlight of the evening.
Spring Break Youth Program
On March 16-20, ZYEP offered free spring break programming aligned with the Zuni Public School District calendar. Nearly 60 youth registered, with 43 participating regularly throughout the week; activities focused on art, food sovereignty and physical activity for children ages 6-18.
“Due to low registration among older age groups, staff used this opportunity for intergenerational connections by grouping the few older youth with the younger ones,” said Tahlia Natachu-Eriacho, ZYEP’s executive director. “The older youth completed more complex activities while naturally serving as mentors for the younger participants and extra helpers for the staff.”
Art sessions encouraged creativity and self-expression through paper crafts, weaving, pop-up book creation and painting. The Shiwi Chefs food sovereignty program taught the children easy, no-cook recipes that would be easy to make at home — and especially fun due to St. Patrick’s Day on the second day of spring break.
“They made Leprechauns and Rainbows, which are rice fruit pies with yogurt sauce,” Wolfe said. “They also made a ZYEP version of Shamrock Shakes, which are green machine smoothies.”
Physical activities included soccer, flag football and volleyball for all ages, and archery for ages 10 and up. ZYEP staff and 11 volunteer community coaches supported all the sport sessions, providing structured opportunities for movement, teamwork and confidence-building during the youth’s week off school.
To learn more about the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and its programs, and for information about making donations, partnering with ZYEP, and volunteering, call (505) 782-8000 or visit zyep.org. For updates, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is dedicated to promoting resilience among Zuni youth so they will grow into strong, healthy adults who are connected with Zuni traditions. ZYEP fulfills its mission by providing positive role models, enriching programs, and nurturing spaces that contribute to the healthy development of Zuni youth. ZYEP strives to provide every child with the encouragement and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
