Founded in 1982, El Puente is a community initiative dedicated to harnessing the energy and efforts of the diverse peoples of Brooklyn. We believe that the coming together of many brings forward our power of self-determination. We mold our individual and collective condition, whether at home, in the community or in the world.
El Puente builds connections through the involvement of individuals in any or all of its institutional cornerstones: the four Leadership Centers, for after-school/-work daily and weekend programs; the A+ rated El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice, the United States' first public high school for human rights; the Community Health and Environment Institute (CHE Institute), which facilitates federally funded community-driven scientific research, and which recently launched the "Green Light District" to complete the transformation of the Southside into a model American neighborhood for community health, and educational, cultural and environmental wellness; and El Puente Arts (EPA), a People's Conservatory—Brooklyn's most comprehensive Latino center for arts and culture.
While each branch has its unique focus and goals, member are nurtured within an integrated, holistic program that draws from all four divisions, developing a well-rounded social awareness that prompts action and expression.
True peace is the natural result of justice, and true justice can only be made possible by comprehension and compassion. We believe that individuals who are just can constitute nothing but a just community, and just communities will thus amount to a just and peaceful world.
El Puente Arts is Brooklyn's most comprehensive Latino arts and cultural Center. Our mission is to use the arts as a tool for social change, engaging artists and activists in the creation and facilitation of arts projects and training focused on artistic mastery and community development.
The Center provides pre professional training in dance, drama, voice, dj/scratch, filmmaking, studio/mural art, graphic design and Hip-Hop. Additionally, El Puente organizes and supports CADRE (Community Artists' Development & Resource Exchange), a network of local artists, artisans and cultural workers. Together, we advocate for equitable access to artistic and cultural expression; create forums for creative exchange and collaboration; incubate individual and collective projects; and present and exhibit works that honor and celebrate the cultural diversity and artistic richness of our North Brooklyn communities.
The EL PUENTE GREEN LIGHT DISTRICT is a ten year initiative of the Williamsburg Southside Community to excerise our right to self-determination. LEARN MORE!
25th Three Kings Celebration
On Sunday January 19th, 2012, we marked the 25th Anniversary of the Three Kings Celebration with hundreds of families from across Brooklyn and beyond, with an original theatrical production "The Journey to Unisol."Greenpoint Gazette documented the power of the community coming together on one of the coldest nights of this winter. > READ MORE
Murals with a Mission
El Puente's artist and educator, Joe Matunis, is featured in The Brooklyn Ink, a new Brooklyn news website in 'Murals with a Mission' an inside look at Joe's process of creating community art with youth. > READ MORE
Christmas Time Family Portraits
Photographers help less fortunate families get holiday pictures via the national charitable project HELP-PORTRAIT.
Featuring CEO/President & Founder of El Puente Luis Garden Acosta.
The NYC Coalition for a Smoke-Free City is a health advocacy group that works with the five boroughs to increase awareness of tobacco control issues among community members and policy makers. Partnering with the community, legislators, and health advocates, they support neighborhood-based efforts for effective and long term change throughout NYC.
Christmas Time Family Portraits
Featuring CEO/President & Founder of El Puente Luis Garden Acosta.