By Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

A $20,000 allocation sought by Lea County youth development program MyPower to expand services in Carlsbad will be considered Tuesday (Oct. 1) by the Eddy County Board of County Commissioners.

The commissioners meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. in Commission Chambers at the Eddy County Administration Complex, 101 West Greene St. in Carlsbad.

MyPower plans to set up a 12-week structured empowerment and self-esteem program for fifth-grade girls at Cottonwood Elementary School in Carlsbad, according to a memorandum written to commissioners by interim county manager Steve McCutcheon Sr.

McCutcheon said MyPower would offer more information during a presentation to commissioners.

More about MyPower

MyPower’s Mentoring Circles sessions for fifth-grade girls are held once a week for two-and-a-half hours after school, according to the organization’s website.

“The program was customized from well researched programs proven to help girls make good choices, set goals, succeed academically and avoid teen pregnancy,” the website says.

Hobbs-based MyPower also offers programs for middle school girls and leadership day camps for girls entering 6th-9th grades. The day camps are offered in late summer at Hobbs High School.

Besides Eddy County, McCutcheon said, MyPower has reached out to the cty of Carlsbad, Carlsbad Municipal Schools (CMS), and the State of New Mexico for support.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or by email at msmith@currentargus.com.