Opening Pathways to Leadership, Belonging, and Opportunity
Abriendo Caminos™ is a five-day leadership and belonging experience that helps Spanish-speaking immigrant and first-generation youth build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and recognize their value as leaders in their communities.
Currently seeking 2-4 pilot partners and sponsors in San Diego County to help recruit youth participants and host a cohort.
Why This Matters
Many immigrant and first-generation youth navigate challenges related to identity, belonging, confidence, and self-expression while balancing family, school, and cultural expectations.
Yet these same young people possess extraordinary resilience, leadership potential, and untapped strengths.
Abriendo Caminos™ was created to help them recognize those strengths and step into their potential.
Meet the Founders
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Dr. Talma Shultz
As the founder and Executive Director, Dr. Talma Schultz, a Spanish-speaking immigrant herself, has dedicated her career to helping first-generation youth discover their strengths, build confidence, and create pathways to opportunity. Combining neuroscience, social-emotional learning, and youth development, she creates experiences that empower young people to thrive in school, career, and community.
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Dr. James Marín
Dr. James R. Marín is the co-founder, an educator, a former public school principal, and leadership development expert dedicated to advancing educational equity and opportunity for underserved communities. With experience as a teacher, school leader, and English Learner/Title III administrator, he has spent his career supporting immigrant youth, empowering families, and developing culturally responsive educational systems.
What Youth Gain
After participating, youth report growth in:
Self-confidence
Communication skills
Emotional awareness
Leadership development
Sense of belonging
Understanding their personal strengths
Abriendo Caminos™ is delivered in Spanish and designed specifically for immigrant and first-generation youth from 15-20 years old.
The experience combines storytelling, reflection, leadership development, group discussion, and hands-on activities that help youth better understand themselves and their role in their communities.
Spanish-language evidence-based transformation
First-generation and immigrant youth from 15-20 years old
Expert
Facilitator
What Participants are Saying
“Talking about mental health can be difficult. We share a culture that may tell us don’t feel that way or you’re too young to feel that way, and I am grateful you where here.”
— Program Participant
“The strengths activities helped me learn more about myself, express my feelings better, and build confidence. I also met new people and learned important lessons about mental health.“
— Program Participant
“Today I learned different ways to calm and release my anger without harming or insulting another person.”
— Program Participant
Bring Abriendo Caminos™ to
Your Community
Ideal partners include:
Youth-serving nonprofits
College access programs
Community centers
Latino-serving organizations
Schools and districts
Faith-based youth programs
Whether you can recruit five students or twenty-five, we welcome conversations about bringing Abriendo Caminos™ to your community.
How We Partner
You Bring
Youth participants
Community relationships
Meeting space
Outreach to your community
We Bring
Proprietary Evidence-Based Curriculum
Spanish-Language Facilitator
Materials
Program delivery
Outcome reporting
Our Vision
Every first generation and immigrant youth deserves to feel seen, valued, and capable of leading.
Our goal is to expand Abriendo Caminos™ through partnerships with nonprofits, community organizations, and schools so more young people can access culturally responsive leadership development opportunities in Spanish.
Led by Educators and Community Leaders
Nation ImaginED™ was founded by educators and community leaders committed to creating opportunities for immigrant and first-generation youth to thrive.
Our team brings experience in youth development, education, community engagement, and culturally responsive programming designed to help young people build confidence, belonging, and leadership skills.
Become a Partner
Nation ImaginED™ is currently seeking 2-4 community organizations, schools, and youth-serving nonprofits in San Diego County to participate in the next Abriendo Caminos™ cohort.
Ideal Partners Can:
Recruit youth participants
Provide meeting space for participants
Support community outreach and engagement
Sponsor a cohort
Nation ImaginED™ Provides Spanish-Language:
Curriculum & Materials
Facilitation & Program Delivery
Outcome reporting
Ready to Explore a Partnership?
Whether you are interested in sponsoring, hosting, or expanding Abriendo Caminos™, we'd love to connect.