b'Friends of Puente, On behalf of the Puente staff and Board of Directors, we want to thank you for supporting us and the South Coast community during 2022!Together, we continued to build and increase equity for those who live or work in Pescadero, La Honda, Loma Mar and San Gregorio. Your generosity supported our mission to foster wellness and prosperity for the South Coast by promoting and advocating for equitable access to education, health, and economic security. We are very excited to share this annual report with you! We hope that as you read it, you notice your contributions to Puente, whether time, financial support, or skills, to be a worthwhile and lasting investment in the ongoing work for an inclusive and thriving community.You are an invaluable partner. You help us strengthen our community, redistribute resources in more equitable ways, and provide tools to members of our community so they use their power for justice. Among the many activities of the past year, we are especially proud of the following:Provided 333 households with $231,383 in financial assistanceIn partnership with Sonrisas Dental, provided dental services to 84 farmworkersLaunched Del Campo al Cambio program (From the Field to Change), a leadership development initiative for and by farmworkersAwarded 22 youth with $82,000 in scholarships for college and trade programsProvided educational and leadership programming for local youth ages 14-22, including paid internshipsLaunched our 60+ Connection and Wellbeing program for older adultsServed 348 individuals with free mental health services in English and SpanishPartnered with San Mateo County and other organizations to continue bringing COVID-19 vaccine clinics to our regionEstablished ongoing discussions of justice, diversity, equity and inclusion (JEDI) within our organization and community to deepen ourunderstanding of historical racial, gender, and class oppressionLaunched a comprehensive and accessible wellness program for our staff membersAll of this and much more was achieved through the strength of our community members, the generous support from funders, the commitment from the Puente team and the assistance of courageous partner organizations who help us continue to be the bridge to independence for people in our South Coast region.With much gratitude,Rita ManceraMark VelliganExecutive Director Chair of the Board of Directors2'