Why We Exist

The Need in Our Community

Caminos de la Vida focuses on youth and young adults during a critical period of transition into adulthood, education, employment, and independent living.

Chronic absenteeism can be a sign that a young person is becoming disconnected from school and the support systems around them.

Of those youth, 203 were ages 16–17, highlighting the need for positive support and early intervention before justice-system involvement becomes more serious.

Nearly 1 in 4 New Mexico children experienced two or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Young people ages 16–24 are navigating a major transition into adulthood. For some, that journey is complicated by :

  • school disengagement
  • housing instability
  • juvenile justice involvement
  • or difficult childhood experiences.

Understanding ACEs

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are stressful or potentially traumatic experiences that happen during childhood.


They can include:

  • Community violence
  • Abuse or neglect
  • Household substance misuse
  • Mental health challenges in the household
  • Domestic violence
  • A caregiver being incarcerated
  • Separation or divorce
  • Loss of a parent or caregiver

ACEs can influence how young people learn, manage stress, build relationships, and respond to challenges. ACEs do not determine a young person’s future.

Supportive relationships, trusted mentors, stable environments, and access to resources can help young people build resilience and move forward.

Connection Can Make a Difference

Local mentorship efforts through Las Cruces Public Schools demonstrated promising results: 82% of participating students increased their attendance, and 77% improved their academic performance.

These results reinforce something we believe deeply, young people need more than resources. They need people who show up, listen, and walk alongside them. Caminos de la Vida focuses on the young person, not the label.

Where you begin is not where you end.

Sources & Data

Statistics and community data are compiled from publicly available information from the following sources:

  • New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD) – Juvenile justice and child welfare data.
  • Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) -Chronic absenteeism, homelessness, and student support data.
  • New Mexico Early Childhood Education & Care Department / New Mexico Children’s Cabinet — Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and child well-being data.
  • New Mexico State University (NMSU) – Local mentorship and student engagement outcomes.
  • Data reflects the most recent publicly available information at the time of publication.