Naco’s youngest residents get an early taste of NWI help through organic gardens planted at a preschool/kindergarten, elementary, and high school. In partnership with Arizona State University experts, NWI developed a curriculum on plant lifecycles, nutrition, recycling, and more. To ensure consistency and quality, NWI funds a dedicated teacher to lead these in-school lessons.

Naco’s school graduation rate is about 50 percent, and NWI is steadily expanding efforts to help improve that outcome. All three schools now have clean drinking water systems. The elementary school has a library, plus an industrial kitchen so students receive healthy breakfasts and lunches.  High school students study in a new microbiology lab located at San Jose Organic Community Garden, and the school will have a computer center soon.    

Each year, Naco Wellness surveys every teacher to better understand what they need to improve their classrooms. The Promotoras love to shop for the requested gym equipment, white boards, calculators, games, books, and supplies.  

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“We want to give our children everything we can to help them succeed in school and in life. It’s all about giving them every opportunity. They are our future.”

NWI Director Lupita Sanchez