MyPower Making a Huge Impact in Lea County
By John Earp
Originally designed in 2009 to address the growing problem of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases in Lea County, MyPower has grown from small beginnings to become the largest youth development program in the county.
According to the organization’s website, “MyPower was founded in 2009 specifically to address Lea County’s alarming teen pregnancy and STD rates. New Mexico has consistently moved between 1st and 3rd place nationally. As of 2023, New Mexico ranks #10 in the United States for teen births. The U.S. leads the industrial world in teen births. While rates are down in Lea County since 2009, there is still a long way to go.”
“MyPower Mentoring Circles serves students in their last year of elementary school (5th grade) in the following nine elementary schools: Southern Heights, Jefferson, Will Rogers, Booker T. Washington, Edison, Mills, Coronado, Jal, and Cottonwood Elementary. These Circles are held once a week after school from January to April for 12 weeks. 50 women and 14 men volunteered their time to make this program possible. Last fiscal year, the program achieved exceptional engagement, with 86% participation among girls and 89% among boys.”
MyPower Middle School Edition has 1,000+ girls participating in its six-session program at Heizer, Houston, Highland, and Jal Middle School. These sessions are held during the advisory/homeroom period and offer an energetic and inspiring study of the Quantum Learning Keys of Excellence and real-life scenarios. MyPower staff and trained volunteers facilitate these sessions for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls.
For more information about MyPower’s programs or volunteer opportunities, contact the organization at 575-631-7029 or [email protected]. MyPower, Inc. is located at 601 N. Shipp, Hobbs, NM 88240.
“MyPower is the largest youth development program in Lea County,” says Executive Director Danielle Hernandez. “While we’ve always served Jal students, this is the very first year we’ve brought our middle school and fifth-grade programs directly to their schools, rather than busing students to Eunice.”
MyPower emerged from a grassroots effort when Lea County community leaders united to tackle the areas concerning teen pregnancy and STD rates. The founders took a data-driven approach, studying successful youth development programs nationwide before crafting a solution tailored to Lea County’s specific needs. Their research led to a partnership with Quantum Learning Network, an international agency specializing in multi-sensory education through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning methods. This comprehensive approach ensures program participants retain vital life skills and principles, contributing to the program’s remarkable 79% reduction in teen birth rates among 15- to 17-year-olds.
The program’s innovative approach begins with self-discovery. “Before you can start learning other life lessons, you have to first know who you are as a person,” Hernandez explains. “We teach crucial skills, facing fears, resisting peer pressure… We believe that when young people learn to love and respect themselves, they naturally make better life choices which supports our mission in lowering teen pregnancies.”
“Our lowered teen birth rates have been a true community effort,” Hernandez emphasizes. “It takes our schools, teachers, political leaders, parents, and community members all working together toward our common goal— investing in Lea County’s greatest resource… our children.”
In Jal, where MyPower recently expanded its in-school programs, a dedicated team of local mentors is making a lasting difference. Michelle Lopez, Ruby Uranga, Julia Watson, and Janice Cole bring the program’s mission to life through their work with local youth. “We understand that parenting today comes with unique challenges,” Hernandez notes. “That’s why we’ve created an environment where girls can truly focus on their personal growth.” The program focuses on meaningful conversations, connection, and hands-on activities. This approach, combined with the dedication of over 100+ community volunteers, helps young participants build confidence, develop strong social skills, and make positive life choices.
The leadership transition at MyPower reflects the organization’s ability to nurture talent from within. Danielle Hernandez, who began her journey as a summer camp mentor, stepped into the role of Executive Director following Dr. Elaine Sena Cortez’s departure to serve as State Representative for District 62. Hernandez says “Taking the helm of MyPower from Elaine isn’t just a leadership transition – it’s a sacred trust. This program, which she built from the ground up with such dedication and love, represents thousands of young lives transformed in Lea County. When your best friend hands you their life’s work and says ‘I trust you to carry this forward,’ it’s both humbling and inspiring. Her legacy lives on in every smile, every breakthrough, and every young life we touch in Lea County.”
MyPower offers all its programs free of charge, including MyPower Mentoring Circles for 5th-grade students and the MyPower Middle School Edition for 6th to 8th-grade girls. The organization also conducts leadership camps for girls entering 6th to 9th grades, led by local teachers and community leaders.