Introduction
Each people group have their own unique influences, expectations, expressions and
cultural norms that together make up its culture. The youth in Santa Fe have certain limitations
that cause them to avoid expressing all of their gifts and talents. There is countless research to
prove that a vast majority of adolescents have difficulties with finding their own place in their
communities. The reasoning behind that can vary drastically. For example, if a child does
something that many would not consider to be a social “norm”, it is more likely that they will not
receive the same support as the child that does fit into the “norm” category. Young people need
to be able to express themselves completely. Just like everyone else, youth need to be able to
express themselves through their talents because it allows them to not only feel like they have a
place where they belong, but also it gives them a great path to follow. It also helps them build
relationships with others that may have the same interests as they do.
Local Youth Culture in Santa Fe
Drugs are a very prevalent influence in the youth culture of Sante Fe. There are not a lot
of readily available resources such as after-school programs, clubs, and extra curriculars that are
provided by the city for the youth to involve themselves with. Youth that around their age are
typically now “figuring themselves out”, or at least beginning to understand their interests and
passions. With that new found understanding, youth may want to build relationships that are
reflective of their same desires however, this becomes very redundant when there aren’t positive
outlets for them to plug into. The lack of preset, positive groups available to them causes them to
seek their “community” in other ways, which typically ends up being negatively influencing.
This revelation has recently come to the community and now their goal is to create more positive
1
resources for teens to choose instead of the negative ones that they have been going to in the
past.
The cultural norms that many of the Santa Fe youth are acquainted with involve music,
art and festivals. Sante Fe holds the record for the longest continuous running celebration in
America with their annual Fiesta de Santa Fe. This festival is known as a celebration of the city
of Santa Fe and it creates a space where music, dancing and parades can embody all of the
beautiful culture it has to offer. Through this festival, many are able to express their artistic
passions and creative gifts.
There are over 43 Christian churches in Santa Fe and there is a very large religious
population with Christianity holding the position for the majority. 65% of families that live in
Sante Fe consider themselves Christians so a very large amount of youth from this area have
some sort of understanding of the faith. Many families may have guidelines and expectations that
are discussed and so the youth know what the expectation is. Having an understanding within the
family assists in young people creating morals and standards to live by which in turn helps them
to stay out of trouble.
Graffiti is a very popular activity that many young people in Sante Fe participate in.
Graffiti does not hold a negative connotation to its name in Sante Fe like it does in other parts of
the world. Graffiti is viewed as an artistic means to express oneself in this area due to the fact
that many of these youth feel that they do not have an outlet to express themselves creatively.
When young people have a safe place to express themselves it drastically decreases the
likelihood that they will involve themselves in dangerous or negative alternatives.
Strategies for Relational Connects with Youth in Santa Fe
2
The most effective strategies for making significant relational connections with youth in
the Fort Mercy Park community are prioritizing the youth, creating safe places where youth can
congregate and want to build relationships, providing guidance and wisdom to youth in form of
mentors or counselors and providing praise with their accomplishments as well as discipline
when they are deviating off of a good path. The youth can be prioritized by focusing on their
needs. It is important to focus on their needs because it is indicative for their positive growth.
Creating safe places for the youth is also a form of prioritizing them. If these places are created,
youth can indulge in positive activities. Providing guidance or mentors to youth can be done with
volunteer work like YMCA clubs or Boys&Girls clubs. This is imperative that youth see older
role models to look up to not only to have a guide to follow but also so that they can have a safe
and trusted person that they can share things with. Providing praise can come in various forms
such as giving rewards or verbal praise. Consequences to bad actions can look like, recess taken
away or a note home to a parent. These both are important in molding a child because they have
to understand that consequences do come from bad actions, but praise comes with good ones.
Conclusion
Looking at the condition of the youth in Santa Fe, there is a great need for building
relationships with these students. The best way to do is through servanthood. We as Christians
are called to be there for our brothers and sister in Christ. We are expected to lend a helping hand
and provide when we can. These Youth have God given gifts and talents that need to be
harvested but this can only happen when people care enough to pour into the youth and invest in
their future.
3
