Bold Futures NM 2027
Touchstone Program
Through immersive workshops, real-world advocacy projects, mentorship, and trusted community spaces, participants will build practical skills, confidence, and supportive networks. Together, we will explore what it takes to build futures where everyone has the power to decide if, when, and how to parent in safe, healthy, and supportive conditions.
If selected, you will join one or more Touchstone Groups—community learning spaces where participants receive mentorship and peer support, share knowledge and lived experience, and have meaningful opportunities to put learning into practice.
The Touchstone Program recognizes that some of the most important learning happens outside traditional classrooms. It creates space for participants to grow through connection, culture, shared leadership, and action.
We are thrilled to announce that
applications are now open for the
Bold Futures NM 2027 Touchstone Program!
The Touchstone Program is a community-centered learning and leadership space rooted in culture, collective care, and reproductive justice. This is not a scholarship program or a traditional academic experience. It is a community-rooted professional development program that helps people learn, grow, build relationships, and develop the skills needed to create change alongside their communities.
Designed to empower emerging generations of change-makers, the program offers hands-on learning in:
Organizing
Skill building
Professional development
Policy and advocacy
Collective care and healing practices
Program Eligibility
Must be 15 years or older at the time of application
Must be a New Mexico resident or work/serve in New Mexico
Must submit a W9 form
Touchstone Groups
Bold Futures’ Touchstone Groups are community-led leadership circles in New Mexico. They bring together people with shared identities, experiences, or connections to particular issues, and members help shape Bold Futures’ organizing, policy, research,
culture-shift, and healing-justice work. Participants are compensated or otherwise resourced for contributing their lived expertise.
To apply for Touchstone Group programming, applicants must select at least one Touchstone Group to serve as their primary group—similar to a “homeroom.” Participation in the primary group is required and provides a consistent space for relationship-building, learning, leadership development, and shared work. Choose a primary Touchstone Group in the 2027 Touchstone Group application link here:
Applicants may also choose a secondary group. Participation in a secondary group is optional and offers an additional opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with another Touchstone community or area of interest.
Bold Futures Touchstone Groups:
Black Leaders Circle:
A safe, intergenerational space for Black leaders to build community, share stories, and heal. Born out of the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial uprisings, this space centers Black voices—especially those in rural New Mexico.
Camp Revolution:
A group for leaders ages 15–24, focused on reproductive justice through conversations, community building, and advocacy skill development.
Change Warriors:
A workgroup dedicated to reforming child welfare systems through lived experiences, collective messaging, and real solutions rooted in reproductive justice.
CHARLAS (Conversaciones Honestas Acerca del Respeto, Liberación, y Aceptación en cuanto a Salud reproductiva):
An intergenerational project centered on Spanish-speaking communities, creating open conversations around sexual and reproductive health across life stages.
Doulas & Birth Keepers:
The Doulas & Birth Keepers (DBK) define and demonstrate themselves to be the true embodiment of the word “doula”—as educators, healers, caretakers, and allies. The goal of DBK is to share resources, healing, and ancestral knowledge to aid in people’s healthcare outcomes and overall wellness.
Queer/Trans (QT) Circle:
A community leadership group that supports healing, joy, and belonging for BIPOC queer and trans leaders by creating chosen-family spaces and sustained peer support.
What the Touchstone Program Offers
Financial support:
Financial support for one Touchstone Program year to help cover costs related to your personal goals, including travel expenses for events, training, and other opportunities that expand your growth and impact.Mentorship:
Personalized mentorship from respected community leaders and subject-matter experts who can provide guidance, share insights from their experiences, and help you navigate challenges in your professional or advocacy journey.Networking opportunities:
Meet with peers and professionals across diverse fields, fostering collaboration, connections, and lasting relationships that can open doors to career and community projects.Access to community projects:
Active participation in community projects and events where you can apply your skills, gain hands-on experience, and contribute directly to initiatives that support and uplift local communities.
Skill-building workshops:
Workshops focused on advocacy, business, and leadership development that equip you with practical tools, strategies, and confidence to lead effectively and create meaningful change.Professional development:
Includes resources such as financial literacy training, access to conferences, and structured guidance on entrepreneurship, designed to strengthen your long-term sustainability, adaptability, and impact in your chosen field.Healing opportunities:
Rooted in healing justice, these spaces recognize that healing from trauma, oppression, and everyday stress is essential to building a more just future. Opportunities may include guided meditation, story-sharing circles, vision-board activities, creative reflection, and community gatherings centered on joy, relationship-building, and relaxation. Together, these experiences invite participants to connect with one another, honor lived experiences, imagine what is possible, and care for themselves and their communities.
What to Expect
Most Touchstone Groups meetings and program activities will take place on select Monday–Thursday evenings, usually between
6:00 and 7:30 PM. Some special events, volunteer opportunities and speciality tracks may be held at other times.
To remain in good standing, participants must attend at least two program meetings each month and complete Bold Futures approved 8 volunteer hours during the year. Bold Futures will support participants by providing volunteer opportunities to help complete this requirement.
Bold Futures volunteer hours may include, but are not limited to:
Opportunities to participate in legislative work and other decision-making spaces
Organizing and skill building
Healing and community spaces rooted in joy, care, and belonging
Research opportunities that respect and uplift community voices
Narrative-shaping, community-led projects to spark conversations around family and justice
Steps to Apply
1. Confirm eligibility
Be at least 15 years old when you apply
• Be a New Mexico resident or work or
serve in New Mexico
• Be able to submit a completed W-9
form if selected
2. Prepare and submit application materials
• Complete the program application
link to application:
• Submit a current résumé to
[email protected]
or complete the fillable resume
using this link:
• Optional: Submit references
• Submit application and resume by
October 31, 2026
3. Email response
• Applicants will receive an email
response from Bold Futures by
November 14, 2026
• Applicants who meet the criteria
may be invited to an interview
in October/November 2026
• Acceptance and denial letters will
be sent to applicants by
December 4, 2026
Contact
What the community is saying Bold Futures
Katelyn - Bold Futures has helped me hone my public speaking and leadership skills. I feel more comfortable and confident communicating my ideas and beliefs in large group settings.
Maggie - Being part of BF & QT has offered me the opportunity to better educate myself of sexual orientations and gender identities. Which enables me to be a better support for our LGBTQ+ community. Also, through the farming track, I've learned to cultivate the soil organically and set up a drip system for watering. Planting one seed
at a time.
Elijah - One skill I’ve learned in my first year is how to take better care of myself while doing work that can sometimes feel really heavy. Social justice advocacy is incredibly important to me, but I’ve learned that I also have to give myself space to rest, recharge, and take care of myself so I can keep showing up for the work I care about.
Sheila (year 1) - I learned about the legislative program and how Bold Futures engages in pushing initiatives through. I also learned about Farming. I was taught how to prepare the land for the seeds and harvest them when they are ready. It all was exciting information.
Mireya (year 2) - I learned about the legislative program and how Bold Futures engages in pushing initiatives through. I also learned about Farming. I was taught how to prepare the land for the seeds and harvest them when they are ready. It all was exciting information.
Richard (year 2) - Before I joined QT, I had never attented/participated in a zoom meeting, and now I feel comfortable to attend/participate in one!
Maggie (year 1) - Being part of BF & QT has offered me the opportunity to better educate myself of sexual orientations and gender identities. Which enables me to be a better support for our LGBTQ+ community. Also, through the farming track, I've learned to cultivate the soil organically and set up a drip system for watering. Planting one seed at a time.
Theresa (year 1) - I was able to take the mental health first aid training and apply those response skills in my own personal life. I have been able to expand my skills and business knowledge with class offerings by bold futures.
Madison (year 1) - I have developed the skill of living my life to the fullest, queerness and all. I shouldn’t keep myself hidden because of fear and what people will think of me.
Consuelo (year 2) - Mental Health first aid helped me with skills like gentleness and active listening that transfer to my interpersonal relationships.