Taos Ski Valley (TSV) has named its 2026 winter Uplift Youth Fund recipients, raising total investment to $200,000 in two years. Among the six local organizations selected is UNM‑Taos’s “You Can Do It, Mija!” program.
The Mija program received $5,000 to support stipends for high school students and offer growth-focused opportunities for mentees. The Uplift Youth Fund is dedicated to supporting youth-centered projects that advance outdoor equity, environmental stewardship, workforce development, and community connection in Taos County. Guided by a community advisory circle, the TSV initiative emphasizes long-term impact through locally driven priorities.
“Investing in our local youth is investing in the future of Taos,” stated Mona Nozhackum, TSV community relations manager, per a press release.
Ale Villalobos Meléndez and Opal McCarthy lead the Mija mentorship program, which connects female students and community members across multiple generations — from teens to elders — and uplifts the many diverse experiences of being a woman in Taos.
For more information on the You Can Do It, Mija! program, email mija@unm.edu, or call the program coordinator at 575.737.3736.