Puentes is a 501 (c)(3), nonprofit community-based organization focused on reducing systemic and structural inequity though the development of sustainable support and services which improve the social determinants of health in the communities we serve.  For greater clarity, we serve communities at a higher risk for poor outcomes as a result of the barriers they experience to social, economic, political and environmental resources.

Our outreach methods are designed to provide service with the cultural and conditional knowledge necessary to overcome fear, distrust and other barriers that have contributed to longstanding inequities within marginalized populations. 

Our outreach teams are, equally by design, diverse and representative of the cultures we serve.  This approach speaks to the fact that when working with hesitant, distrustful populations, it is imperative that messaging be culturally relevant and delivered by trusted voices that, optimally, allow people to see themselves, that is, with voices coming from someone who looks like them.  Quite simply, but we believe most effectively, cultural competency within Puentes is realized by hiring and empowering people from the communities and cultures we serve.