Caminos, an Initiative of New Pathways for Youth, Draws Nearly 300 Attendees—Marking a Powerful Step Forward in Serving Latino Youth

Phoenix, AZ – April 11, 2025 — Last night, New Pathways for Youth proudly launched Caminos, a groundbreaking initiative designed to uplift and empower Latino youth through culturally resonant mentorship—and the kickoff celebration was a resounding success. Nearly 300 community members, mentors, and partners gathered for an inspiring evening of connection, reflection, and action.

Caminos was created in response to a clear and urgent need: while 70% of the youth we serve at NPFY identify as Latino, only 30% of our mentors currently share that cultural background. This initiative aims to bridge that gap by building a robust network of Latino mentors who can offer culturally informed guidance, build trust, and inspire youth through shared identity and lived experience.

We are deeply grateful to OneAZ Credit Union and their Community Engagement Leader Robert Raygoza, for championing this work through generous sponsorship, and to the law firm Davis Miles, whose partnership reflects their commitment to youth empowerment.

The evening was brought to life with the support of Novle, whose creative collaboration made it possible to highlight the mission and impact of Caminos through an engaging and heartfelt community experience. Attendees enjoyed an evening of networking, storytelling, and celebration of shared values.

One of the most moving moments came when mentor Melissa Heger and her mentee Kimberly S. took the stage to share their 2.5-year mentorship journey—a story full of love, resilience, and transformational growth.

“I want to be a mentor myself when I grow up. I hope anyone considering it takes the chance on youth like me,” said Kimberly. “We need your support. We need to be seen. And we need to believe that we matter.”

The event also introduced the Caminos Advisory Committee, a group of dedicated community leaders guiding the initiative, led by Elsa Landeros, Chair; Roger Albarran, Vice Chair; and Xavier Gonzalez, Secretary; alongside eight additional passionate advocates committed to closing the cultural mentorship gap and creating brighter futures for Latino youth.

“We believe in the transformative power of mentorship and community,” said Karen Johnson, President and CEO of NPFY. “Caminos is our bold step forward to ensure that every young person can see themselves in their mentor—because representation matters. We’re excited to see the ripples of this effort across our city.”

For more information about Caminos or to get involved, visit https://npfy.org/caminos.