Dona Ana Village Association (DAVA)
Grants Awarded
DAVA aims to enhance youth engagement in colonia communities along the lower Rio Grande Valley by promoting the cultural significance of the Camino Real Tierra Adentro through outdoor activities. Participants will be actively involved in planning an outdoor space near Dona Ana village and will benefit from mural projects, community bike rides, walking tours, and restoration efforts of historic acequias, fostering community pride and environmental stewardship.
El Parque Alegre de Doña Ana in Doña Ana Village will enhance flood management with a retention pond while promoting outdoor recreation through improved trails and access. This initiative aims to foster a stronger connection with nature, ultimately benefiting public health and encouraging conservation efforts within the local community.
DAVA is a BIPOC Centered and led empowerment organization that was started in New Mexico’s oldest Colonia Community as a movement to empower colonias across Southern NM. DAVA has grown to serve as a mentorship organization to other colonia communities and brings critical engagement to the conversation of Outdoor Equity. DAVA hosts a weekly free community closet where families from across the County can shop for necessities such as clothes, home goods, and a small limited amount of non-perishable food items. DAVA organizes outdoor activities for the community such as bike rides, movie nights, bike workshops, tree planting workshops, nature walks, Acequia tours, and hikes to nearby scenic trails. Other events that support the community needs are seasonal fiestas that include resources for families to incorporate the health of the community for example, vaccination clinics and free legal consulting to help community members of all backgrounds including elderly, veterans and families with children. The seasonal fiestas also include activities for families such as, blacksmith and weaving demonstrations, history projects, painting activities, arts and crafts and walking tours of the village. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonaAnaVillage Insta: @DonaAnaVillage