Turning heartbreak into meaningful change.

Help Shape the Chris Carnero Rising Stars Youth Center

Your ideas. Your community. Real change.

On Thursday, November 19, the Youth Outreach & Recreation Collaborative (YORC) invites teens, families, and community partners to Las Cruces City Hall for a conversation about the Chris Carnero Rising Stars Youth Center, a teen center being developed in Chris's name.

Teens, your voices matter. What activities, programs, spaces, and opportunities would make this a place you want to visit? This meeting is an opportunity to share what you need and what you'd love to see.

Families, coaches, artists, counselors, business owners, youth organizations, sports leagues, and other community partners are welcome too. Bring your ideas, programs, and possibilities for mentorship and collaboration.

The meeting will also gather input for the Las Cruces Youth Summit, including topics and activities that matter to local youth.

When: Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Where: Las Cruces City Hall, 700 N. Main St., Las Cruces, NM (same meeting location and room as the previous YORC meeting).

Nothing for the youth, without the youth. Together, we can help build a place that carries Chris's name and reflects the voices of the young people it will serve.

Love Like Chris. 💙

Chris's Law: Community Voices Unite for Change

A Mother's Voice. A Community Conversation. A Call for Change.

On October 29, 2026, the Youth Outreach Recreation Committee (YORC) hosted a community meeting at Las Cruces City Hall focused on youth violence, victim support, accountability, and potential changes to New Mexico's juvenile justice system.

New Mexico legislators, families, community advocates, residents, and people with firsthand experience of the justice system came together to share their perspectives.

Janel Speaks Up for Chris

Among those who spoke was Janel Carnero, mother of 13-year-old Chris Carnero. Janel addressed those gathered as part of her ongoing effort to honor her son and bring awareness to Chris's Law. Supporters of the Love Like Chris mission also attended and participated in the conversation.

Different Stories. Shared Concerns.

Community members spoke about their experiences and concerns, including individuals who had spent years incarcerated and who also called for change. Their perspectives added to a discussion of accountability, rehabilitation, prevention, and the lasting impact of violence and incarceration on individuals and families.

The meeting created space for people with different experiences to be heard and for legislators to listen directly to community voices.

Continuing Chris's Legacy

Chris's Law is a proposed initiative addressing accountability for serious juvenile offenses, consideration of relevant histories, earlier family intervention and support, and structured supervision and rehabilitation. The family continues its advocacy as New Mexico approaches the 2027 legislative session.

We thank YORC for organizing this gathering and everyone who attended, listened, and shared their experiences. Chris's name continues to be spoken, his story continues to be shared, and his memory continues to inspire conversations about change.

Love Like Chris. ❤️

A Mother's Voice for Change

Janel Carnero addresses the Las Cruces City Council during a public work session.

Chris's mother brought his story into a public civic forum as the family continues its advocacy. The official City of Las Cruces recording is preserved here, cued to approximately 2:08:36 where Janel's remarks begin.

This appearance occurred during a City Council work session. The City of Las Cruces describes work sessions as meetings for studying problems and deeper discussion; official Council action is not taken during a work session.