Enroot

Last week, we had the honor of being one of the Kendall Square Association nonprofit partners selected as a beneficiary for the KSA Challenge. Thanks to all the teams who chose to support us, we came in 2nd place! At Enroot's challenge station, teams were invited to write notes of encouragement to our graduating seniors and even in the midst of competition, they took the time to thoughtfully share their advice and well wishes. We're so grateful to KSA and the Cambridge community for showing up for our students. We love seeing the support and recognition of the strength immigrant youth already carry, and the bright futures they're stepping into. As one note said, "The world is changing rapidly, and your experiences have prepared you to adapt. Be creative, you are a great problem-solver!" What would your words of encouragement be for our graduating seniors? Let us know in the comments!

What does it take to build an institution capable of creating opportunity for generations of immigrant youth? That question has guided much of our work this past year and in his latest reflection, Enroot's Executive Director, Daniel Enríquez Vidaña, explores what it means to put students first and create a sense of possibility. Read along to see the questions we're asking, and stay tuned for how we plan to answer them. We'd love to hear your thoughts. What other questions do you think we should be asking? Share them in the comments! You can check out the rest of the Leading with Purpose series on our website. https://lnkd.in/eeqB5cuN

Thank you so much to everyone who came out for our first Career Skills Showcase! This was a long time in the making and we are so grateful for everyone who made it happen. Thank you to the 17 organizations who presented and/or tabled during the event. You made it so engaging and youth friendly, our students learned about new career pathways and had a great time! Thank you to our sponsors for this event. This was a huge success and your support made it possible for us to think bigger and provide a more exciting experience. We appreciate your trust, support, and participation! Massachusetts Institute of Technology William Blair Nellie Mae Education Foundation Eastern Bank Thank you to our volunteers and guests who connected with students and helped them navigate the event while having meaningful conversations. And of course, thank you to our students and alumni!! We are endlessly proud of the way you show up, ask questions, and explore opportunities with confidence and joy. You made this event so fun and we can’t wait to hear more about what sparked your interest and what you want to see next year!

Our very first Career Skills Showcase is almost here! We're so grateful to everyone how has made this event possible. From our staff, volunteers, and students to our incredible partners and sponsors. Thank you for your collaboration and support as we gear up for an exciting evening tomorrow! Looking forward to seeing our students exploring their futures and connecting with so many amazing organizations. Massachusetts Institute of Technology William Blair

We are SO excited to announce our tabling partners for this year's Career Skills Showcase! We love seeing so many incredible organizations show up, ready to connect and share their experiences with our students. Thank you for your partnership and we'll see you on May 6th for an evening of community and career-connected learning! And stay tuned as we'll be highlighting our sponsors soon, including some who are even tabling with us (Shoutout to MIT and William Blair)! Cambridge Public Health Department Rosetta Languages William Blair Northeastern University College of Professional Studies City of Cambridge El Mundo Boston Jacobs Junior Achievement of Greater Boston Charles River Conservancy Alnylam Pharmaceuticals UMass Chan Medical School Canva GBH News ACE Mentor Program Greater Boston Boston Red Sox

Enroot is excited to announce our first Career Skills Showcase on May 6th! More than a traditional career fair, the Showcase is a purposefully designed career exploration event where participating presenters will share not only about their organizations, but also about the skills that brought them success in their career journeys. Our students have been preparing through workshops and we're ready for an exciting evening of networking and career-connected learning!

In this reflection, Enroot's Executive Director, Daniel Enríquez Vidaña, explores how belonging, skill-building, and relationships work together to create the conditions where opportunity can effectively emerge for young people. At Enroot, that is put in to practice by building environments where students feel seen, develop real-world skills, and connect with people and pathways that make their aspirations feel within reach. This piece reflects on what it means to design opportunity in addition to programs. Following along with the rest of this series on our website! enrooteducation.org/news

Black immigrant youth are sustaining joy through community, self-expression, and cultural legacy. They are living vibrant lives, building meaningful communities and forging powerful pathways toward their futures. We’re so proud of our students - of the joy they share and the future they’re building.

Happy National Mentoring Month! Mentorship creates space for confidence to grow and community to thrive. At Enroot being a mentor means showing up, co-creating a sense of belonging, and walking alongside someone as they navigate high school. It means sharing your expertise and inviting students to share theirs so you can learn and grow together. It means giving each immigrant high school student access to opportunity and the power to define their own success. This month, we’re celebrating the volunteers who bring curiosity, joy, and care to their mentorship. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on volunteer opportunities and hear stories of mentorship and impact! https://lnkd.in/dvaV4EP5

Students like Victoria reminds us that "everyone brings something to the table." This is the kind of environment our students build together every day. A space where no one is ignored, and everyone has something to contribute. That collective strength is what Enroot is all about - building community and deepening opportunity. Where do you see collective strength in your communities? If you'd like to hear more student experiences we invite you to join our newsletter and read Yanka's story in our End of Year Appeal. https://lnkd.in/dvaV4EP5