Model and Strategy
Puente’s Youth Leadership and Employment programs support youth from the South Coast to thrive academically, compete in the workforce, and contribute to their communities as civically engaged and socially conscious citizens.
Puente is uniquely engaging youth exposing them to a diverse workforce through paid internships, which expand their horizons to understand what it takes to succeed in different career fields. At the same time, Puente provides youth with tutoring, mentoring, , credit recovery courses, financial literacy and other trainings aimed at helping them succeed academically and in their careers. Youth increase their knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards:
a. Academic achievement
b. Employment and long-term economic self-sufficiency
c. Civic Engagement
d. Overall health and well-being
Through this program Puente aims to break the generational cycles of poverty, educational, and social disparity that have been prevalent in the South Coast.
Impact
Puente’s mission focuses on advocating and leveraging resources to promote and sustain economic stability and security as well as individual and community health and wellness. With the local support of community leaders and collaboration with our neighbors, we find solutions to an array of problems faced by our diverse communities. The theory of change for Puente is focused on nurturing a healthy, sustainable, and inclusive community in the South Coast by focusing on these key activities that drive social impact in the following areas:
I. Fair practices and policies for employment, housing, transportation, and food security
II. Equality and equity in education
III. Decrease in the health disparities
IV. Resilience and well-being for both the community and families
Leadership
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Rita Mancera
Executive Director