JAG-NM Expands Out-of-School Program Across New Mexico
- christine4903
- Nov 13
- 3 min read
We are excited to announce the expansion of our Out-of-School (OOS) Program into Roswell, marking a powerful step in strengthening youth pathways across southeastern New Mexico.
The demand for accessible education, employment support, and wraparound navigation continues to grow statewide, and Roswell is already proving to be a community ready to engage.
This fall, several Roswell OOS youth stepped into leadership roles within their local OOS Career Association chapter. At the 2025 Student Leadership Academy (SLA), they represented Roswell proudly as the chapter president, secretary, VP of career development, & VP of leadership development.
SLA gave them the opportunity to learn their roles, practice leadership skills, and connect with youth from other OOS and in-school programs across the state. Their participation shows just how ready Roswell’s young adults are to take on leadership and shape the direction of their new site.
Roswell Youth Reflections: Confidence, Connection, and New Perspectives
The Roswell OOS chapter leaders who attended SLA also completed the statewide youth survey, and their reflections highlight exactly why expanding to Roswell matters.
One shared that she gained confidence from “working with other members and learning how to communicate better,” describing how collaboration helped her step more fully into her officer role. Another said that “everything taught me a lot,” noting that the breakout sessions gave her a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and expectations she now carries as a chapter leader. A third Roswell participant shared how meaningful the peer connections were: “Interacting with other students helped me open up.” And one summed up her biggest leadership lesson with one word: “Adaptability.”
These reflections capture what we see every day in the OOS program: young adults strengthening their confidence, building community, and discovering the skills they need to navigate their goals.
Do you know a young adult who may benefit from the program?
Our interest & referral form is open year-round, so there's no waiting until next semester.
Click the button below to refer a young adult or sign up for more info.
Why Roswell, Why Now?
Across New Mexico, the 2024–2025 year has brought major shifts in education, employment, and youth workforce development. More young adults are seeking alternative pathways to complete their education, earn certifications, explore career options, and find stable employment. At the same time, communities across the state are working to strengthen their local leadership pipelines and create opportunities for young people to stay, work, and thrive in their hometowns.
Roswell is part of this statewide movement. The region has tremendous potential, and like many communities outside of Albuquerque, it faces unique challenges when it comes to accessible education programs, job training, and youth-centered support systems. Local employers are growing, new industries are emerging, and young adults are eager to build their futures close to home. What’s needed most is consistent, personalized guidance and a strong network of community partners.
This need came into sharp focus when recent disruptions at Job Corps left many young people without the stability and support they depended on. Within days, JAG-NM stepped in to help connect youth to resources, answer urgent questions, and provide immediate navigation support. The gaps revealed during that time made one thing clear: Roswell deserved a dedicated, long-term program focused on helping young adults build pathways, not face uncertainty alone.
The expansion of JAG-NM’s Out-of-School Program in Roswell is part of creating the community safety net that so many families, educators, and local leaders have been asking for. By providing career coaching, leadership development, high school completion pathways, and wraparound navigation, we’re working to ensure that young adults have a stable, reliable support system, one that remains in place no matter what programs or systems around them may shift.
And most importantly, the youth of Roswell have shown they are ready. Their engagement, leadership, and enthusiasm at the 2025 Student Leadership Academy demonstrated the strength already present in the community. With a little extra support, Roswell’s young adults can become future leaders, business owners, civic voices, and contributors to the community’s long-term growth.
JAG-NM is here to help them get there, not to replace what Roswell already has, but to add capacity, expand opportunities, and strengthen the community’s broader ecosystem of support.
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