Future Focused Education

06/23/2026

Thanks to everyone who made it to last week’s Instituto convening, especially President Hector Balderas for his continued leadership at Northern New Mexico College and partnering with us in this work. We also want to celebrate all the youth and community partner organizations out there doing the hard work of changing lives for kids every single day. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to United Way of North Central New Mexico, the LANL Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Santa Fe Improv , Thornburg Foundation , Anchorum Health Foundation, and NNMC Upward Bound for their vital contributions to this work.
By working together, we are turning our schools into hubs of innovation and opportunity, empowering young people to create thriving communities. We are reimaging education.

06/18/2026

We are feeling energized from our Instituto del Puente convening in Española yesterday. Thanks to House Speaker Javier Martínez for hosting our youth panel, where local youth highlighted arts, trades, dual-credit courses and community-based internships. They argued that young people are more likely to stay engaged when school is connected to their futures and the needs of their communities. Thanks also to Anita Gonzales for New Mexico and Joseph Sanchez for New Mexico for showing up and championing the future of our students. Learn more in the Santa Fe New Mexican article here:

Española college and high school students told lawmakers mentorship, internships and relevant coursework are key to keeping youth engaged.

06/18/2026

One of the Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) participants we have been working with, Delsci Cornejo, recently completed her event planning internship with the Economic Forum of Albuquerque.

“I leave this internship more confident in my abilities and more inspired to contribute to Albuquerque’s growth," said Delsci.

GBI means more young people get access to career opportunities like internships and apprenticeships, which build resumes and social capital. A little extra money can free up time, help with transportation, childcare, and other barriers to entry. This is why we are excited to be working with the City of Albuquerque on their GBI pilot program.

06/16/2026

Our Project Management Specialist apprentice, Mia Cota, is now working as our Operations Coordinator while still completing her apprenticeship. When she finishes the apprenticeship in September, she will be transitioning to a full-time, salaried position as Operations Coordinator. With the help of the State Apprenticeship Office and the Department of Workforce Solutions, Future Focused Education is the only entity in New Mexico creating and supporting pre apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities specifically designed for youth. Given the power of apprenticeship in advancing economic mobility and equity, we believe these efforts are critical for New Mexican youth and we’re excited that we get to keep working with Mia!

06/11/2026

Do you enjoy building relationships and supporting young people? We’re hiring an X3 Internship Manager whose job is to partner with employers, schools, and community organizations to create meaningful paid internship experiences while helping interns navigate their transition into adulthood. Learn more on our website.

Join Our Team Future Focused Education Job Openings Future Focused Education’s mission is to create healthier and more prosperous communities by advancing the best education for the students who need it the most. Do you want to join a team that is making a difference and dedicated to remodeling ed...

06/09/2026

We’ve been working with the City of ABQ on their Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) pilot program, which began last year. Funded by taxes on cannabis, the program provides participants with $750 per month to use as they see fit. Future Focused helped identify and are helping to support the 42 young people who were chosen for the pilot, many of whom were out of school, out of work, facing housing insecurity, and/or struggling to provide for their families. Now, many of them have been able to secure housing, find a better job, buy cars, or plan for their future. Programs like this are so important for our mission of reimagining education and we’re excited to see what happens next for these young people!

Find out more about the program in local news coverage:

See Full Story: https://www.krqe.com/home/albuquerque-leaders-say-guaranteed-basic-income-program-is-helping-families-thrive/

06/04/2026

“Advocate for more youth mental health training, start conversations that might feel uncomfortable, and check in not just on how people are performing but on how they’re actually doing,” urges Sophia Royo-Begueria, a graduating senior from Roswell in our latest blog.

“Because one moment, one injury, one conversation, or one missed sign can change everything.”

Sophia Royo Begueria--a graduating senior from Roswell, New Mexico, a soccer player, and a Behavioral Health Intern for Future Focused Education--argues that coaches need to be trained in mental health to be able to provide mental health support to athletes.

06/03/2026

Ever wondered what it takes to create a competency-based youth apprenticeship? These photos offer a behind-the-scenes look at just one part of the process. Stay tuned for additional updates as we build out a Youth Peer Support Specialist apprenticeship!

06/02/2026

Are you interested in leading the development of comprehensive behavioral health models with New Mexico schools across 6 dedicated school districts in the state? We're still looking for Behavioral Health iInitiative coaches! In this role, you will build deep relationships with educators and community providers to streamline student supports, integrate equity-centered practices, and create sustainable behavioral health career pathways.
Check out our website for more information:

Join Our Team Future Focused Education Job Openings Future Focused Education’s mission is to create healthier and more prosperous communities by advancing the best education for the students who need it the most. Do you want to join a team that is making a difference and dedicated to remodeling ed...

05/28/2026

Last week, Dr. Kim Lanoy-Sandoval, our Executive Director, was featured on a Decolonizing Wealth Project Panel and shared about the efforts of our Community Care Collective. It was an honor to be featured alongside these other amazing grantees!

She discussed how Future Focused builds care that's truly of the community: honoring the culture, wisdom, and specific experiences of the young people we serve.