Our mission is to support Pueblo youth and communities in education, art, and environment initiatives.

Director’s Message:

     There is something beautiful about taking the time to be present and supportive, taking time to listen to a family member or friend. Sometimes this means going to an event to offer support through your physical engagement or taking the role to convene people to collectively support a movement. It is about being able to contribute resources that help move a cause forward. And for many, it is also practiced by offering prayer and energy towards positive outcomes. In our small New Mexico Pueblos and rural communities these practices were, and continue to be, a major part of the fabric of community wellness.  Growing up, I remember times when my mom and grandma would pack a bag or fill a basket with grocery items in the home.  I would ask where they were going and they would respond beautifully with a saying in our Towa language. It is also used as a call to action or support in conversations and as part of large gatherings. To me, it is translated to Attach Your Heart. All of those times when my mom and grandma were making their way out the door with family contributions, they were on their way to provide support, to attach their hearts.  I am grateful to have been raised with this guiding principle.
     During my sophomore year at Dartmouth College, I started dreaming about creating an organization that would support college students. Like many of my native classmates, we had a difficult time financially.  Even though I did not know what this type of organizational support looked like, I enjoyed creating names like The Adobe Foundation, Red Sun Foundation, and the Pueblo Indian Community Foundation. I created sample logos and worked on acronyms to add a hip flare. Over the years, this dream was put on hold knowing that the financial resources to create such an organization were not available. Instead, this energy, enthusiasm and thought were channeled into co-founding the Leadership Institute at the Santa Fe Indian School, a program I continue to co-direct. In 2008, through a LEAD (Leadership Entrepreneurial Apprenticeship Development) Fellowship with First Nations Development Institute, I had the opportunity to spend a year as an apprentice in philanthropy at the Chamiza Foundation learning under a dear friend, the late Donna Vogel. That year re-ignited my interest and provided inspiration to engage in service on various boards in our community.  These experiences were incredibly valuable and reinforced the importance of creating an independent organization that has the flexibility to support youth engagement in meaningful and in some cases unconventional ways. Relationships, I soon learned, were the greatest resources and that healthy relationships can guide, nurture, shape and develop ideas and dreams.
     In October 2018, I began thinking about and having conversations about creating an organization.  In 2020, the Attach Your Heart Foundation was created. During this time, I was fortunate to reconnect with Mary Anne Larsen. Mrs. Larsen, her husband Bruce, and I first met through Futures for Children, where they served as advisers, mentors, and advocates. Futures for Children was an organization that provided mentor/mentee opportunities to native children in New Mexico and Arizona. I assisted Mrs. Larsen and Board members, Alicia Smith and Maureen Vosburgh to identify youth-serving organizations whose mission was similar to Futures for Children. After closing its doors, remaining resources were distributed to a few of these organizations. Attach Your Heart Foundation was blessed to receive resources to continue the spirit of Futures’ work in mentorship, higher education, and the arts.
     The Attach Your Heart Foundation’s programming is deeply rooted in the commitment to support youth-led program initiatives through recognition awards, emergency aid, and meaningful mentorship. The Attach Your Heart Foundation is inspired by the unwavering system of support provided by family, our communities and by long-time mentors and close friends in the philanthropic community. Attach Your Heart Foundation is deeply inspired by my personal mentor and friend of thirty-two years, Charmay Allred. I am also grateful for the support of James and Sandy Heuerman who, through a recent contribution, initiated AYHF’s first Heart Awards, recognizing six Pueblo college students. Attach Your Heart Foundation’s work honors all the mentors who take seriously their role – with their hearts attached. I look forward to Attach Your Heart Foundation engaging enthusiastically in our community.

– Carnell Chosa, Founder/Director