Zuni Youth Enrichment Project

In 2009, Zuni Youth Enrichment Project (ZYEP) — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization — was formed to ensure that Zuni youth would be healthy and prepared to continue the important traditions of the Zuni culture. The inspiration for ZYEP grew from a simple question: “What are you doing this summer?” ZYEP founder and local pediatrician Tom Faber would ask his young patients this question as a lighthearted way of breaking the ice during checkups. The kids’ responses led to the realization that many Zuni kids did not have opportunities to be active and creative over the summer and after school. Inspired by the idea that summers should be a special time for Zuni kids when they explore their lands, learn new things, make new friends, and have fun, a small group of Zuni community members planned the first annual ZYEP summer camp in 2009. That first camp was a huge success for kids and adults alike, and it helped instill a belief that together we could contribute to the healthy development of Zuni youth.

The results of this early work grew into ZYEP, a nationally recognized, Zuni-led nonprofit that offers a year-round schedule of fun and meaningful youth programs to more than 1,000 youth annually, free of charge. In our efforts to support Zuni youth through direct programming, we recognize the need for healthy spaces for healthy activities. To this end, we work with our partners to develop trails, community gardens, and a youth center and park that host various programs and community engagement opportunities. We recognize that supporting the development of Zuni youth is a community wide effort. We work closely with our community partners to implement policies that promote health in a systematic way.

Our organization has been honored to grow alongside a generation of Zuni youth. The youth that enrolled in our first summer camps and sport leagues are now leaders within ZYEP. These young people represent the fulfillment of our mission, and they are the emerging leaders of the Zuni Tribe. We are committed to being there for every future generation of Zuni youth. We look forward to growing alongside them, and by helping them pursue and achieve their dreams, we will be fulfilling ours. ZYEP has experienced significant growth since its founding and we are poised to build on our successes by remaining true to what got us here; Zuni strengths, values, and Community.

We believe that Zuni people — our knowledge and life-ways — have transformative power to help Zuni youth grow into strong and healthy adults. On a continuous basis, we meet with the Zuni Tribal Council, cultural bearers, artists, parents, youth, and partner programs to collaboratively design programs, spaces, and policies that cut across sectors to promote community health in a systematic way.

To learn more, visit www.zyep.org and follow us on Facebook (Zuni Youth Enrichment Project), Instagram (@zuniyouthenrichmentproject, and TikTok (@zyep09)!