Puentes New Orleans

Puentes is a Spanish word meaning “bridges.” Since 2007, Puentes has been building bridges connecting Latin American immigrants and their children to the greater New Orleans community. Our work is dedicated to overcoming economic, racial, and cultural divides and to providing Latin American families and communities with the resources, knowledge, and hands-on opportunities they need to thrive.

Puentes presently conducts STEM based college prep classes through its Escalera program in the public schools. Our Escalera STEM program is a national program that promotes economic mobility for youth. Targeting low-income, first- generation Latino students, Escalera supports students both personally and academically as they explore career paths, prepare for college, and develop leadership and technology skills. 

In 2018, we created LUNA (Latinos United in Action), a program led by the youth in which they organize, advocate, and rally for policy changes. Our youth action council focused on youth leadership development with a strong emphasis on youth-led advocacy, organizing and coalition building. Creating an integrated and powerful Latino voice for the future is the essence of our organization, and what better way to do this than to show youth that this is possible.