City’s Summer Programs Win Best-of-City Award

The City’s community centers won “Best Summer Program” in the Albuquerque Journal’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, recognizing the affordable opportunities they offer to learn, play, meet friends and make memories.

This summer, nearly 3,000 children participated in Youth and Family Services community center programs.

“We want to help kids not only stay active over break but to also still feel like there’s somewhere they belong,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “This award reflects the incredible work our staff do to make that happen.”

For many, finding affordable, reliable activities for their children once school’s out can be challenging. The City’s community centers address that by offering a full summer of programming for just $10 — making it one of the lowest-cost seasonal options available.

Summer programs by the numbers:

• 32 different sites.
• Over 2,600 enrolled.
• Over 45,000 times youth attended summer programs.
• 233,126 summer meals distributed.

(Pictured: Youth enjoying summer lunches)

“Our staff show up every day ready to welcome kids, build relationships and make sure our community centers are places kids want to be,” said Jess Martinez, director of Youth and Family Services. “Winning the Readers’ Choice Award is a wonderful recognition of their work.”

Summer programming also reflects the City’s efforts to give youth meaningful experiences close to home. From participating in the annual all-city talent show to competing in Summer Basketball League, there are numerous opportunities for kids to stick with their favorites or try something new. Other offerings include financial literacy programs, field trips, and collaborations with various City departments and organizations to provide everyone with a summer to remember.

For the staff who run the programs, their true measure of success isn't so much the number of children who walk through the doors as it is seeing kids return each day excited for what’s in store. The Albuquerque Journal Readers’ Choice Award is a wonderful recognition of that work and of the thousands of people who make the City’s community centers part of their summer every year.