AMYLA Sends 7 Adams Morgan Area Youth to Albuquerque
August 2008

This summer, seven AMYLA youth attended Sangre de Cristo Youth Ranch in Albuquerque, New Mexico for one month of service, outdoor education and fun!

Kelvin Velasquez, 12, Daniel Johnson, 15, Emil Davies 14, DaJon Ross, 11, Alem Bekele 13, Herani Bekele, 11, and Bertha Castenada 13 all participated in the program.

For Daniel and Dajon, this was their first experience aboard an airplane and the flight alone was quite an adventure.  “I was scared for my life!” says Dajon Ross.

As a Peer Leader in New Mexico, Daniel was able to earn a Youth Counselor stipend which he decided to save to help pay for his own back-to-school expenses. 

After a full month of life in the outdoors, each of our youth commented about how much they enjoyed Sangre de Cristo, but quickly acknowledged their enthusiasm and newfound appreciation for their warm showers and comfortable beds.