The El Puente family salutes our late founder, Luis Garden Acosta, and we remain committed to his extraordinary social justice legacy.
Luis bravely led by example, transforming his dreams for a “just society” into reality. El Puente is the manifestation of those dreams and together with his co-founders Eugenio “Gino” Maldonado and life partner Frances Lucerna, he created a human rights movement that opened frontiers and continues to promote community-led struggles for social justice in North Brooklyn, Puerto Rico and beyond.
In these extremely uncertain and challenging times, we are reminded and inspired by Luis’resolve in the darkest of times- - to rise to our “highest selves” and embrace the power we have within to reach out and work together to build “bridges” to create a more safe, healthy, sustainable and equitable world for us all.
Pa’lante siempre Pa’lante!
In honor of Luis, El Puente has established the Luis Garden Acosta Legacy Fund.
We invite you to visit our Legacy page to learn more about how you can support El Puente’s global leadership efforts. Thank you!
What's Current
Our Air! / ¡Nuestro Aire!
El Puente's Green Light District Campaign for clean air and community wellness, Our Air!/ ¡Nuestro Aire! has launched a petition: COVID-19: OUR AIR EMERGENCY CALL TO ACTION, calling on our elected officials to address the urgent environmental and health inequities in the Southside of Williamsburg that have put our community at risk for decades and have now made us fatally vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus. The time to act is now!
Please read our five point CALL TO ACTION and sign our Petition today!
Click here to sign the petition
“Essentially Brooklyn"
"Essentially Brooklyn" is a moving public art project by Los Muralistas de El Puente led by director Joe Matunis with the generous support of Two Trees and Domino Park. The project will highlight 60 portraits of “essential” Brooklyn residents from all walks of life who we honor as vital although they may not fall under the official category of "essential” The message is- In a caring community we're all essential! The portrait exhibit is on the walls in Domino Park.
Contact joematunis@gmail.com for more information.
Holistic Programming and Services
Our staff are facilitating all programming and services via remote learning and digital platforms to support our young people and families at home. We are providing performing, visual and media art classes, tutoring and college prep support, mentoring and health/wellness workshops daily for our school age and high school members. We are also making weekly wellness calls to every family and providing referrals as well as direct relief support.
EL PUENTE PUERTO RICO
Our El Puente LCAN team in Puerto Rico continues their efforts to support the people and communities impacted by the earthquakes and now the pandemic. From resources for COVID-19 to remote learning about climate change and sustainable living as well as ongoing digital organizing and mobilizing regarding the electrical system (PREPA), our LCAN team continues to be on front lines of support to address the many challenges facing the people on the island and advocacy for a sustainable
Puerto Rico.
Follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
Census 2020
Make sure we all count and bring our communities the resources we need. Click here to Fill out the 2020 census today
Graduation 2020
El Puente salutes our graduating class of 2020.
El Puente Events
El Puente News
July 11th – Get your drums, pots, or homemade percussion instruments and join us for this drumming workshop for all ages! : https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=708521333306101 August 8th – Live from the The Moore Street Market “La Marqueta de Williamsburg” with Roseangel Perez from Cafecito Break : https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1401742833365339 Take a dynamic tour of our dear Moore Street Marqueta…
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The project hopes to identify and honor the people of our Brooklyn community who continue to work everyday in the face of the COVID-19 crisis to ensure that we are all safe and taken care of. 6 Artists/members of Los Muralistas have been commissioned to paint 60 portraits that will be displayed collectively in Domino…
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Leadership Centers
Bilingual comprehensive skilled based programs that include academic enrichment, visual and performing arts, sports, health and wellness, and one on one leadership coaching
Green Light District
Flip the disempowerment of gentrification and put the power of transformation in the hands of the residents and stakeholders.
Global Justice Institute
The Global Justice Institute is the hub for training, development, research and convening at El Puente.
El Puente Puerto Rico
El Puente's Latino Climate Action Network (LCAN) is the expression of our commitment to environmental justice in Puerto Ricoights in the U.S.
Ways to Support
El Puente is using the peer-to-peer fundraising platform, Classy to create opportunities for supporters, alumni, and friends to donate directly, or set up a fundraising page or team to help us reach our larger goal.