Meet Puentes New Orleans

Puentes is leading the charge in building bridges that support successful paths for Latine youth. With authenticity, resourcefulness, solution-oriented thinking, and unity at the center, Puentes is uplifting the next generation of Latine leaders.

What They’re Doing:

1. Escalera

   A program centering Latine youth as they navigate high school through their experiences as English Language learners, first generation students, and immigrants.
   
   Escalera supports Latine youth as they learn about different post secondary education and career pathways; brings experiential learning opportunities into the classroom and connects youth to events and community partners outside the classroom; and engages youth as consultants on projects.

2. L.U.N.A.

   Latines United of New Orleans Action is a leadership and changemaking program led by and for Latine youth.

   L.U.N.A. creates space for Latine youth to explore identity, build leadership, and take collective action; offers weekly gatherings, hands-on projects, and community events centered on real issues youth care about; stays grounded in cultural pride, youth-led advocacy, and the Positive Youth Development model; and builds long-term skills, confidence, and strong community connections.
   
   More than a program, L.U.N.A. is a growing community where youth lead, create, and transform. L.U.N.A. Youth led initiatives include:

   • Latidos – a video podcast sharing stories of migration, identity, and youth experience

   • Mental Health Workshops – bilingual spaces led by and for Latine youth and families

   • Youth Climate Action – environmental education and local climate projects supported by the City of New Orleans

   • Jornadas Latinas – New Orleans’ first youth-led festival centering Latine culture and leadership

“ The most important part of our work is making spaces for our youth to succeed, where social and economic changes can occur, and where our youth can ignite changes with the power of their own voices and the expertise that comes from their lived experiences.”

— Puentes Team

How They’re Youth Master Plan Aligned:

✓ LEARNING + YOUTH VOICE

YMP GOALS:

↑ levels of positive student engagement

↑ the opportunities for youth participation and leadership in planning efforts across the city

↑ the collective awareness of and value for supporting our young people’s development of agency and identity

YMP SOLUTIONS:

Student Voice in School Experience (L4)

Expanding Youth Decision Making Opportunities (YV3)

Inclusive Youth Leadership Outreach (YV4)

Shoutout From the Shoutout:

Puentes works with so many partners in this work, including ECCO Centro Comunitario, Be Loud Studios, Lede New Orleans, Tulane University, Jazz and Heritage Foundation, New Orleans Youth Alliance (NOYA), New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board (CYPB), The Jazz Museum, Material Institute, Beanlandia, Jefferson Parish Schools, New Orleans Public Schools, Delgado Community College, Oschner’s OPTIMUS education program, and counting!

Support the youth in Escalera and L.U.N.A. by following them on Instagram and sharing their initiatives with the community!

puentesneworleans.org | @puentesneworleans | @luna_neworleans