DACA Dreams, Community Power.

The Center for Immigrant Progress was founded by a group of courageous DACA youth in Lake County who stepped forward during a time of deep uncertainty. Drawing from their own experiences as young immigrants, they created a grassroots effort to defend rights, lift up voices, and ensure immigrant families had a place of trust and solidarity. What began as late-night meetings, community conversations, and bold organizing quickly grew into a movement that brought visibility and strength to families who were too often left out of the conversation.

That spark of courage lit the path for something bigger. Over time, CIP has evolved beyond its youth-led beginnings into a lasting institution—still grounded in its original spirit of resilience, but now standing as a broader community anchor dedicated to immigrant progress.

CIP was co-founded by Dulce Guzmán (Dominguez), Sandra Díaz, Gisele Rodriguez, Shareny Mota, and Melanie Hernandez. It was staffed and stewarded for its early years by Karina Alvarez and Francys Muñoz.

The vision, power, and commitment of these young leaders responded to the needs and conditions of our community and established the foundation for a growing and evolving organization.