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RAZE is bringing together artists from both sides of the border to highlight the realities and resilience of border communities.  DOUGLAS, AZ -   Rural Arizona Engagement (RAZE)  is proud to host the first annual Borderland Reflections: Resistance Through Our Lens art show  and competition on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Art Car World in Douglas, Arizona . The exhibition will showcase powerful works from artists across Cochise County and neighboring border towns on both the

In partnership with Central Arizona College and local advocates, RAZE’s second annual forum in Coolidge, Arizona, empowers rural youth to lead conversations and take action on mental well-being.

JoAnne Galindo from Pinal County, AZ was raised by the saying "family is everything." She carries this value into her daily life through her work as an Eloy City Council member, advocating for the implementation of accessible child care, bringing equitable recreational activities to Eloy, and focusing on the health and safety of her community.

With Hispanic Heritage Month now over, let's take a moment to reflect on the inspiring Latinas whose stories were shared throughout the month, women leading change in their communities and reminding the world why it’s so important to continue uplifting voices from every corner of rural Arizona.

Renee Montelongo never pictured herself leading rallies or organizing protests in her small border town of Douglas, Arizona. A life-long resident and self-declared “introvert,” Renee stepped up when she began seeing the direction her country was headed. She learned that staying silent wasn’t a risk she wanted to keep taking.

Rural Arizona Engagement (RAZE) is proud to shine a light on the importance of renewable energy programs in rural communities through the upcoming release of Harvesting Sunlight or in Spanish, Cosechando Luz, a new short film series that highlights the power of clean energy across rural Arizona.

This year, Latino Conservation Week took the Rural Arizona Engagement (RAZE) team and a group of young leaders from San Luis, Arizona, on a journey far from their rural border town and into the heart of the Grand Canyon. For many of the students, members of the RAZE Leaders and RAZA Advocates programs, it was their first time seeing the Grand Canyon up close.

On the streets of San Luis, Arizona, the legacy of César Chávez lives on through the women of the movement. Women like María Robles, founder of We Are Somos, who dedicates herself to supporting her community day after day.

Across rural Arizona, Hispanic women are stepping into leadership, uplifting their communities, and challenging the status quo. They are showing what it looks like to speak up, organize, and create change where it matters most. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re celebrating those women, and one of them is Nicki Velasquez, who lives in Hereford, Arizona, in Cochise County.

From securing the funding that powers community programs to casting votes that shape local schools, Sherri Jones’ influence stretches across rural Arizona. As Development Director for RAZE and Rural Arizona Action, and as an elected school board member, she balances strategy and service in ways that make her leadership both far-reaching and deeply personal. Her story shows how courage, connection, and accountability create lasting change in rural communities.

Winning designs on the theme “Envision a Healthy Environment” will be printed and shared at community events statewide ARIZONA  – Rural...

The Borderland Reflections Art Show is calling on artists in Cochise County to participate in its upcoming Borderland Reflections:...

Voting is now open for RAZE's 2025 Sticker Design Contest!

Over 400,000 Immigration Cases Are Being Reopened, Many May Not Know They’re Affected

San Luis event connected families with resources and community support during challenging economic times

In Sierra Vista, Arizona, a Latino high school student named Nicholas Reynoso shared his experience of being repeatedly pulled from class, searched, and questioned about suspected drug use by school staff. These experiences have left him and his family feeling targeted and unsupported in a predominantly white community.

Celebrating the low-waste traditions and practices many of us grew up with.

For the first time, five high school students from rural Arizona packed their bags and flew to Washington, D.C. It was a milestone for both the students, who had never left the state before, and for RAZE, marking the first time the program brought youth beyond Arizona’s borders.

SAN LUIS, AZ  — On Monday, March 31, community members and activists came together in San Luis to honor the life and legacy of civil...

Youth in small and rural towns like Yuma often face serious barriers to accessing mental health support, and they’re ready to talk about it.