ZUNI, NM (June 11, 2025) — On Tuesday, May 13, the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project celebrated community health and wellness with an inspiring evening at Ho’n A:wan Park. The evening’s activities included a youth soccer clinic with New Mexico United, a family-friendly vaccine clinic and the kickoff of Running Medicine Zuni’s new season.
The soccer clinic ran from 5 to 6:30 p.m., drawing 46 youth ages 3-13. At the vaccine clinic, 27 people received vaccinations between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. And, Running Medicine Zuni officially opened its new season at 5:30 p.m. with 79 registered participants ages 4-76, making it the popular program’s biggest season to date.
“This has been one of the biggest events I’ve had the opportunity to organize, and it was beautiful,” said Tara Wolfe, ZYEP’s program manager. “Huge elahkwa (thank you) to our partners!”
New Mexico United at Ho’n A:wan Park
Wolfe said New Mexico United, Somos Unidos Foundation, Native Health Institute were instrumental in bringing the soccer clinic to Zuni. The professional soccer team had visited the pueblo once before, in 2020, for a drive-thru clinic during the Covid pandemic.
This time, Zuni youth were able to join the players on Ho’n A:wan Park’s turf field for hands-on drills and games. Registered youth also received complimentary tickets to the Albuquerque-based team’s game on June 7.
“This was the first time United got to practice with the children, and our kids were stoked,” Wolfe said. “They didn’t have to go to Albuquerque to see United — United came to us!”
“I liked learning new drills from the United soccer players, and I liked their hype and love for the game,” said one 13-year-old participant.
Parents were pleased too. Ashley Gasper, mother to participant Liam, 5, said, “We liked how it worked on basic fundamentals that were adapted to the different ages. The coaches did amazing.”
“It was a really fun and engaging camp,” agreed Leslie Gasper, mother to participants Madison and Silas Kallestewa, 6 and 4. “The coaches were very knowledgeable and engaging with the kiddos. They showed their experience in working with various age groups, and the kids enjoyed themselves. They loved all the activities and how the coaches interacted with them.”
Tahlia Natachu-Eriacho, ZYEP’s executive director, said it has been a lot of fun for the youth project’s staff to witness the interest in soccer increase over the past few years. She noted that ZYEP, in its early years, built upon its Summer Camp success by adding soccer programs for the youth.
“Our founders had a really strong team of Zuni youth soccer players who grew up in the program, and now they come back and coach during our current soccer seasons,” Natachu-Eriacho reflected. “I do believe that New Mexico United and our passionate coaches are influencing the rise in interest in the sport.”
Vaccine Clinic for All
During the soccer clinic, community members also had the opportunity to receive vaccinations through the vaccine clinic, which was made possible with support from Presbyterian Health and New Mexico Health. Wolfe said she got the idea last October, when her family attended Indigenous Peoples Day in Albuquerque.
“The players were on the field with the youth,” she remembered. “They had a flu and Covid vaccine clinic, and Running Medicine was happening as well. I was in awe of the event and knew this was something we could implement at ZYEP.
“I asked the manager and executive director of Running Medicine how they organized it,” she continued. “Soon, we were talking with the Somos Unidos Foundation’s executive director, and it just came to life.”
Twenty-seven people of all ages received vaccinations during ZYEP’s May 13 clinic, including MMR shots for youth and flu and Covid shots for adults. No insurance or appointments were required, and each recipient also received a free City of Albuquerque Family Arts & Culture Pass that provides up to four admissions to the ABQ BioPark Zoo, Aquarium and Botanic Garden, Albuquerque Museum and Balloon Museum.
Running Medicine Zuni Takes Off
That same evening also marked the season opener for Running Medicine Zuni, which will conclude on July 16. Seventy-nine registered participants gathered in a wide circle at the center of the turf field at 5:30 p.m. to share reflections, stretch and walk or run laps around Ho’n A:wan Park.
Running Medicine Zuni meets every Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. to run and walk the pueblo’s community trails, which ZYEP maintains. All ages and fitness and ability levels are welcome.
The first 10 minutes of each gathering are devoted to stretching and connecting. As participants stretch, leaders encourage them to ground themselves, reflect on their day and share either personal experiences or words of encouragement with one another.
Four ZYEP staff members are serving as facilitators for this season. In addition to Wolfe and Natachu-Eriacho, the facilitating team also includes Physical Activity Coordinator Tyler Sice and Physical Activity Leader Esther Siutza.
“Our opening celebration was a major highlight,” Wolfe said. “The circle was huge, and everyone had fun. Laughter filled the air.
“I definitely want to highlight the consistent runners who come out to join us and who have been active since our first season in spring 2019,” she continued. “The group is so welcoming, and they have built a strong sense of community. We are looking forward to a big end-of-season celebration in July, as we’re celebrating six years of Running Medicine Zuni!”
“I also want to give a shout-out to one of our amazing participants, who made her 2-mile goal last week,” Sice added. “We have the participants set their goals as the season starts, and some already are having to increase their goals, which is awesome.”
Formed as a program of the Native Health Initiative in spring 2019 and made possible in partnership with ZYEP and various Zuni Tribal programs like the Zuni Healthy Lifestyles Program, Zuni Veterans Program and Zuni Wellness Center, Running Medicine Zuni is based on the understanding that running and exercise are beautiful and potent medicines for mind, body and spirit. This inclusive program’s vision is to create a culture of wellness through a supportive, loving community.
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. And, to stay up to date on the latest news and events, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook (/zuniyouthenrichmentproject), Instagram (@zuniyouthenrichmentproject), YouTube (/ZuniYouth), and TikTok (/zyep09)
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.
