Driver’s license exam prep sessions

The passage of AB60 allowed undocumented Californians to apply for a driver’s license. Puente is helping participants with the process, which entails learning the rules of the road and passing an exam.  Our January test prep sessions will occur on the following dates at Puente in Pescadero (620 North Street). Email Ben Ranz for details.  

Saturday Jan 24:  1-5 p.m.

Sunday Jan 25:  9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Raising a Reader Family Night, January 26

Puente is committed to improving early childhood literacy on the South Coast. Raising a Reader Family Night helps parents and children practice reading together.

The second training in a five-part series starts January 26 at 5 p.m. at Pescadero Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room. For more information, contact Alejandra Ortega at (650) 879-1691 ext. 141 or email Alejandra Ortega.

For information on all upcoming events, contact Puente at (650) 879-1691.

Give to Puente General Fund

Each year, Puente touches over 1,500 people on the South Coast – nearly 1/3 of the residents of our rural and isolated region. And each year we ask you—our donors—to support our programs and services that impact participants’ lives in so many ways. Thank you for contributing to Puente’s General Fund and for ensuring that all people on the South Coast can live healthy, sustainable, and inclusive lives. Visit www.mypuente.org to donate.

Give to Puente with Amazon Smile

Planning some holiday purchases on Amazon.com? Sign in with Amazon Smile, where you can designate Puente de la Costa Sur as a beneficiary for a percentage of your purchases – for free. Get started here: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/37-1484262

Puente needs a new car!

Puente is seeking a new vehicle – preferably a mid-mileage, well-maintained SUV-type vehicle – for our back roads travel. Have one lying around? Donate it today for major “Carma” (karma) points. For details, contact Kerry Lobel at (650) 879-1691 ext. 144 or email Kerry Lobel.

Seeking donated adult mountain bikes

Here on the South Coast, most farm and nursery workers rely on bicycles to commute to work, run errands, and participate in Puente programs. Puente’s bike program is asking for used mountain bikes to help meet those needs. If you don’t have a bike to donate, consider donating some tires or a bike light. Adult-sized bikes only, please. To donate, contact Community Outreach Coordinator Ben Ranz at (650) 879-1691 x 143 or email Ben Ranz.

Tax Preparation Assistance for Low Income Families

Puente needs bilingual volunteers to become tax preparers for next tax season. Volunteers must complete tax training and pass an IRS Certification Test. Volunteers must be willing to help prepare returns 2-4 hours per week from January 27-April 15, 2015. Email Abby Mohaupt for details.

Help with South Coast Homeless Count, January 22

The number of people who are homeless in San Mateo County continues to grow. On the South Coast, homelessness often affects migrant farm workers and other newcomers, who are the most vulnerable. Join Puente and other local volunteers for the 2015 South Coast Homeless Count, from 6 a.m. – 8 a.m. on Thursday, January 22. Email Ben Ranz for more information. 

Be a reading friend

Help boost literacy by reading with students from kindergarten to 5^th grade on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:30 pm. Email Abby Mohaupt for details.

Help new drivers learn the rules of the road

Puente needs several short-term tutors, fluent in Spanish, to mentor adults preparing to take their driver’s license written exam at the DMV. In January, Puente will host evening tutoring sessions and seeks bilingual volunteers to work with different sizes of groups throughout the month. To volunteer, contact Community Outreach Coordinator Ben Ranz at directly at (650) 262-4101or email Ben Ranz.

Help adults get their GED and become citizens

Every year, Puente helps local adults realize their dream of earning a high school degree; others become American citizens. Be a part of the transformation – sign up to help with tutoring (in Spanish) and citizenship requirements, email Abby Mohaupt for details.

Seeking mentors to keep high school kids on track

Puente is committed to supporting our local youth all the way through high school and college. Sometimes by the time anyone realizes a student is struggling, it’s too late. Puente sees 12 mentors who can commit to spending time with a student one day each week, preferably on Wednesday. Mentors will help ensure their mentee is getting good grades, particularly in English and Algebra. College readiness is also a key goal.

For more information on this and ALL volunteer opportunities, call (650) 879-1691 ext. 114, or email Abby Mohaupt.