Building Healthier Futures for El Paso Youth

By: Reyna Castillo, Project Vida Operations Manager, FuturGen Program

At Project Vida, we have the privilege of working alongside youth throughout the El Paso region. Their experiences are shaped by our community’s strong bicultural and binational identity. Many navigate multiple cultures, languages, and traditions every day. Family and community are central to life in El Paso, and many young people take on significant responsibilities at home, helping support younger siblings and contributing to their households.

The Challenges Facing El Paso Youth Today

At the same time, youth in our region face challenges that can affect their health and well-being, including limited access to healthcare, transportation challenges, economic pressures, and systems that don’t always reflect the realities of life in a border community.

These barriers often make it harder for young people to access health information and services. Transportation limitations, language differences, lack of insurance, privacy concerns, and stigma surrounding mental health and sexual health can prevent youth from getting the support they need.

Why Mental Health Support Matters for El Paso Youth

Mental health is one of the most pressing concerns we hear about today. Many students tell us they are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and burnout while balancing academic demands, family responsibilities, financial pressures, and uncertainty about their future. They often say they need trusted adults who will listen without judgment, safe spaces where they can connect with peers, and practical tools to help manage stress and emotions.

That’s why creating supportive environments for young people is at the heart of our work.

Building Healthy Relationships Through Education and Mentorship

We help youth build healthy relationships by providing education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. Through our programs, young people learn about healthy communication, respect, consent, boundaries, conflict resolution, and decision-making. These skills help them build positive relationships while strengthening their confidence and overall well-being.

Some of our most impactful work happens through youth leadership development, mentoring, health education, service-learning projects, and opportunities for peer connection. We consistently see young people thrive when they are given meaningful opportunities to lead, contribute to their communities, and have their voices heard.

Programs Making a Difference: YLI and PATH

Two programs have been especially effective in helping us address gaps in care and support. Through our Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI), young people develop leadership skills, learn about important health topics, and become advocates within their schools and communities. Our PATH (Pre-Apprenticeship for Health) summer program connects youth with health education, career readiness training, prevention services, and community resources that help prepare them for future success.

Where the Greatest Needs Remain

Still, more work remains. Some of the greatest unmet needs we see include access to affordable mental health services, safe after-school opportunities, mentorship, workforce development programs, and comprehensive health education. Investments in these areas can help young people build confidence, develop healthy relationships, and successfully transition into adulthood.

The Power of Partnership

We also know that no organization can do this work alone. Partnerships with organizations like Healthy Futures of Texas allow us to combine expertise, resources, and community connections to better serve youth and families. Together, we can expand access to trusted information, culturally responsive services, and stronger support networks that help young people thrive.

The future of Texas is being shaped right now by the incredibly resilient, talented, and community-minded young people in communities like El Paso. By continuing to invest in their health, leadership, and well-being, we can ensure they have the opportunities and support they need to succeed—and to lead the way forward.