“What role and purpose do you want to play in society?”
That question has guided me ever since, and it’s why I feel so deeply called to this work today.
While my roots are in California, Greater Boston has been my home for the past nine years — the place where I’ve built community, grown as a purposeful leader, and found where I am best positioned to make an impact: by anchoring Enroot as Greater Boston’s immigrant youth success organization in Cambridge and Somerville.
These first months have been a time of deep listening and preparation: spending time at our school sites, connecting with partners, speaking with mentors, and hearing directly from students about their dreams, challenges, and aspirations. What has stood out most is the shared conviction that immigrant youth deserve more than just access to opportunity — they deserve preparation for the real world, in programs that adapt to their unique needs and pathways.
That conviction is the driving force behind Success Labs, our reimagined, student-centered model launching this fall. Success Labs are built around a simple but powerful idea: every student should have a space to build confidence, community, and real-world skills — on a pathway that reflects their interests and goals. Whether it’s preparing for college, exploring career opportunities, or navigating the complexities of life in a new country, our Labs are designed to meet students where they are and help them grow from there.
This year, FY26, is what we’re calling a foundation year. Together with our Board, staff, and partners, we are codifying the Success Labs model, anchoring partnerships with schools and employers, and establishing clear student outcomes to guide our growth. At the same time, we’re strengthening leadership capacity and aligning our team to SMART goals so that Enroot is ready for the long-term vision of becoming Greater Boston’s immigrant youth success organization.
On a personal note, I’ve set a goal to share more reflections like this — to push myself to put my voice out there more publicly. Growth doesn’t come without stretch, and I want to model for our students what I’ve learned in my own life: that stepping into uncertainty can open doors.
As I look ahead, I am energized by what’s to come and deeply grateful to be learning and leading alongside such a remarkable community. I look forward to sharing stories of Success Labs in action — through student voices, partner collaborations, and community milestones in the months ahead.
Onward/Adelante!
Daniel Enríquez Vidaña
Executive Director, Enroot
