Love Where We Live

As a local elder said,
"Well-being comes from being accountable
to a people and a place..."

In the era of video games and television, today's youth may actually have far less access to the wisdom and resources of our own communities than we realize. Getting to know each other and getting to know our community through real-life learning provides a potent opportunity to LEARN where we live and learn to "LOVE where we LIVE."

commUNITYambassadors
Part of the "Love Where We Live" Initiative

This locally-driven program is designed to introduce students to the wealth of people, places, and activities in their own neighborhoods through experiential learning and service activities. Facilitated by professional educators, community leaders, and local wisdom-keepers, including our Community Educators and Learning Liasons, the project connects students with the people, places and projects that make our home special and prepares the next generations to serve as regional Ambassadors while they are still young, providing additional training in communication skills, presentation development, project management, and group facilitation as part of the program.

How It Works

Students who successfully complete the program components listed below will receive
a letter of reference AND a certificate of completion ( in Santa Fe, signed by the Mayor! ),
PLUS they will be included in the upcoming Youth Ambassadors Directory
and may be invited to participate as a spokesperson
at future regional civic and professional events and activities.

Community Learning Adventures

Explore, serve, and learn!
Participate in at least four Community Learning Adventures which may include participating in service projects, meeting with local community members, exploring local historic sites, visiting community attractions and museums.

Personal Learning Log

Time for Reflection!
Keep a personal learning log to document
your experiences, thoughts, feelings, and discoveries
through a variety of reflections, notes, quotes,
photography, video, or scrapbooking, etc,

Youth Ambassador Training

You have skills!
Participate in ambassador training workshops
to improve communication and public speaking skills
and to learn group facilitation techniques
and even team-building games.

Media Training, NG (Next Generation)

Tell It Like it is!
Learn multi-media tech and publishing skills and use them to tell the stories of our community. Write an article, contribute to a blog, make a website, post on social media, take creative photos and film local interviews.

Culminating Project
and Presentation

Share your findings with the world!
Present a “Love Where We Live” culminating project to showcase highlights from what was learned and experienced such as a YouTube video, slideshow, poem, painting, play, art show, digital media, interview, portfolio, movie, etc…