Our Story
Welcome to
Puente Latino Association
We each have a story, and let us share ours with you…
Here at Puente Latino we believe that art is a powerful tool for positive change!
As a grassroots, 501(c)3 nonprofit entity incorporated in California on July 5, 2019, we have been serving the North Long Beach community for five years by using art and cultural events to bring about meaningful change.
We work primarily in underserved neighborhoods that face critical challenges, including food disparity, pollution, climate change, access to open/green space, and little or no civic engagement.
We understand that people in these neighborhoods often feel forgotten and powerless to change their environment. That's why we use art as a means to build bridges between artists and the community, two groups that are necessary for communities to move forward.
Quoting activist, artist, and pioneer, Victor Ochoa,
“El ombligo de los barrios— El arte es una arma de cambio”
(The core of neighborhoods— Art is a weapon of change)
We believe that everyone deserves access to skills, resources, systems of investment, and engagement to create practical and transformational changes in their neighborhoods.
Through art, we are able to bring about these changes and make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.
By partnering with artists and residents, we are able to address challenges and initiate positive change. We use a variety of art forms, including murals, community beautification projects, and art classes, to promote understanding, tolerance, and pride.
Our cultural celebrations like Cinco de Mayo and Dia de los Muertos bring people together and connect us to our common humanity.
