Working with the next generation of New Mexicans

Grants from the State of New Mexico provide youths with opportunities to engage with and learn about the outdoors and break generational cycles of littering and illegal dumping. And San Juan Regional Medical Center is celebrating one of its physical therapists' recognition as Clinical Instructor of the Year. You're watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by Northern Edge Casino and Boon's Family Thai BBQ. I'm Gillian Arnwine. Farmington Area Single Track, or FAST, is one of 30 organizations in New Mexico that received a grant from the Outdoor Equity Fund. The $1 million in grants were awarded to non-profit organizations, school districts, local governments, and tribal communities, all providing opportunities for youths to explore and engage with the outdoors. The grant highlights importance of fostering the next generation of outdoor leadership and careers in outdoor recreation. FAST will use its $40,000 grant to hire additional coaches and to purchase bikes and helmets for its youth programs. The program offers two eight-week programs a year, introducing new cyclists, ages two through 18 to cycling basics, encouraging outdoor appreciation and teaching trail etiquette. Over the past three years, FAST has worked with close to 500 youth and hopes to increase those numbers with the additional coaches and equipment offerings. Sign-ups for the spring session in April are now open. Costs range between $75 and $100 depending on age, although there are some scholarships available. San Juan County announced they're one of 13 entities that received a recycling and illegal dumping grant for 2024. The $15,000 grant will be used to launch an initiative with a new approach to discourage illegal dumping and littering in the county. The "Make Us Shine" initiative aims to break the generational cycle of dumping and littering by creating coloring books with anti-littering and anti-illegal dumping messages to be dispersed throughout schools and at the county fair. Kevin Rose, DPT, was recognized as the Clinical Instructor of the Year by Rocky Mountain University. Rose, a physical therapist at San Juan Regional Medical Center, received the clinical education award, given to individuals who are an outstanding clinician, mentor, and role model to physical therapy students and interns. In addition to working as a physical therapist, Rose serves as the coordinator of clinical education for all rehabilitation services at SJRMC. In addition to providing mentorship during internships, Rose also arranges for housing for visiting students and lends his outdoor equipment so students can get the full experience of living and working in the four corners. In a press release, Rose said, "I was very grateful and honored to receive this award. I love teaching, but I never want to give up patient care. Having students in a clinical capacity is a win-win for me because I love teaching and I love working with my patients." Learn more about these and other stories online at farmingtonlocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I'm Gillian Arnwine.

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