NMCAN

WHO WE ARE

NMCAN partners with young people to build community and lead change.

WHAT WE DO

Since 1990, NMCAN has been leveraging community partnerships and volunteerism to improve children and youth’s experiences in foster care. Today, we have grown to authentically engage young people impacted by the foster care and/or juvenile justice systems to improve their transition to adulthood. Together, we work to:

1. Reduce systemic barriers that negatively impact their lives

2. Help them learn how to build positive community networks and strengthen their sense of belonging

3. Access tools to achieve goals related to education, employment, health, housing, and personal finance

HOW WE DO IT

Our work is grounded in four central approaches:

AUTHENTIC YOUTH ENGAGEMENT: NMCAN meets young people where they are—connecting them to resources, mentors, and empowering young people to advocate for their own policy solutions.

EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES: NMCAN promotes anti-racist policies and practices across systems,

and we encourage young people to utilize their unique experiences as they pursue their education, careers, and personal goals.

BUILDING COMMUNITY: NMCAN encourages young people to build the life they want. We provide

them with healthy, stable relationships as well as work with partners to understand the situations young people face.

TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE:

NMCAN recognizes that, in addition to trauma that brought them to the foster care or juvenile justice systems, many young people face further stressors in these systems. Our programming is developed in a way that is trauma-informed and responsive to their distinct needs.