By NB3 Foundation

NB3 Foundation Youth Council Applications Now Open for 2026 to 2027

Calling all Native youth ages 13 to 24 living in New Mexico. This is your opportunity to take action, build leadership skills and create positive change in your community. NB3 Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2026 to 2027 NB3 Foundation Youth Council.

The NB3 Foundation Youth Council brings together young leaders from Native communities across New Mexico who are passionate about improving the health and well being of Native youth. Youth members serve as ambassadors for the NB3 Foundation, provide guidance on youth focused initiatives and lead service projects that support their communities.

Through the youth council, participants gain leadership development opportunities, hands on service experience and connections with peers from across the state. Members also have opportunities to represent the organization at local and national events, including youth leadership conferences and community gatherings.

Purpose of the Youth Council

Members of the NB3 Foundation Youth Council help guide the organization’s work by sharing perspectives on issues impacting the health of Native youth in New Mexico. In return, members receive leadership development, service learning opportunities and support to advance youth led initiatives. The youth council empowers young leaders with the tools to promote healthy, mindful lifestyles within their families and communities.

Who Can Apply

The youth council will include up to 20 members ages 13 to 24 residing in New Mexico, state recognized or federally recognized tribes. Members commit to serving for a 12 month term. Depending on the number of applications received, additional spots may become available.

Member Expectations

Youth Council members are expected to actively participate and serve as leaders within their communities. Commitments include:

  • Maintaining regular communication and accountability with Youth Council advisors
    • Attending monthly meetings and work sessions with a goal of at least 80 percent participation
    • Participating in service projects, team building activities and leadership opportunities
    • Serving as positive ambassadors for the NB3 Foundation in their communities and online
    • Leading youth driven projects and presenting progress to NB3 Foundation staff
    • Participating in professional development opportunities and leadership conferences when available

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 to 2027 Youth Council cohort. We encourage Native youth who are passionate about leadership, community and creating healthier futures to apply.

Questions about the Youth Council can be directed to Simone Duran at simone@nb3f.org or Jared Lesansee at jared@nb3f.org.

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By NB3 Foundation

Learning, leading and connecting: Youth council at Unity Midyear Conference

We’re excited to share the NB3 Foundation Youth Council attended the 2026 UNITY Midyear Conference in Phoenix, AZ. Over 700 Indigenous youth focused on community organizing and went through a 10-step action plan that addressed a community issue.  

NB3 Foundation youth council attended the Mental Health & Wellness Track, facilitated by Tommy GhostDog with WeRNative. The focus was to equip Native Youth will tools to create an action plan that helps them create change within their communities.  

“What I took away from the sessions was really a new perspective. With it being my first time at UNITY Midyear, I was mind blown with how interactive it was with other youth councils. I really enjoyed my sessions in which we settled on a community issue and created a way to attack this issue. I would highly recommend UNITY Midyear to any youth council wanting new ideas or perspectives,” Corey Bird, co-president of NB3 Foundation Youth Council 

In addition, our co-presidents, Corey Bird and Abby Mariano, attended the National UNITY Council Business Meeting, where they provided reports as one of the council affiliates in the Southwest Region. It is truly an honor to see our young leaders step up in their officer role and confidently speak in front of a large audience. 

Throughout the weekend, the youth council took part in a wide range of activities, including a campus tour at Arizona State University in downtown Phoenix, keynote addresses by Billy Mills and Judith LeBlanc, and speed workshops. Ashima Burns also placed in the top three during a mock pageant. Council members stepped outside their comfort zones by participating in round dances and networking with the Puyallup Youth Council and the Cherokee Youth Council of North Carolina, where they introduced themselves and built meaningful connections..  

We are incredibly proud of our Youth Council for representing their communities and NB3 Foundation. We look forward to seeing how they apply what they learned in the months ahead. 

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3 Foundation Youth Council brings holiday cheer to UNM Children’s Hospital

This holiday season, the NB3 Foundation Youth Council put compassion into action through a toy drive in support of children receiving care at UNM Children’s Hospital. Working together with purpose and care, youth council members collected toys to help bring moments of joy to young patients and their families during the holidays.

Collected toys were delivered to Sunward Credit Union, a proud community partner and official drop-off site supporting UNM Children’s Hospital. Each donation represented more than a gift. It served as a reminder to children spending the holidays in the hospital that their community is thinking of them and standing alongside them.

The toy drive reflects the youths’ commitment to service, leadership and supporting the well-being of Native children and families. By organizing this effort, youth leaders demonstrated compassion and initiative while strengthening connections within the community during a season when kindness and togetherness matter most.

“Our youth leaders continue to inspire me. They saw an opportunity to give back and stepped up in such a meaningful way. This toy drive really shows the care they have for their community and the kind of leaders they are becoming,” said Simone Duran, director of Community Empowerment.

NB3 Foundation is grateful to the youth council members and everyone who supported the toy drive. Their efforts helped make the holiday season a little brighter for children and families at UNM Children’s Hospital.

“What an amazing display of youth taking action to bring extra cheer to New Mexico’s children. I am so proud of the youth for organizing their first-ever toy drive, and I look forward to future contributions from this impressive group,” said Jared Lesansee, Community Empowerment coordinator.

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