On September 14, Puente will hold its first Fall Harvest Fundraiser on the charming premises of Harley Farms Goat Dairy in Pescadero. The event marks the first time Puente will charge for tickets, and it will benefit Puente’s children and youth programs

“We’ve had many house parties and community-wide events at which people have been very, very generous. We feel in our 16th year we can continue with those events, but also mix it up by finding new ways to involve our supporters,” says Kerry Lobel, Executive Director of Puente.

The event will feature delicious seasonal, locally-sourced food and plenty of the special community spirit that people have come to know and appreciate about Puente.

Tickets cost $100 and Lobel hopes to raise $10,000 toward helping Puente ensure that no young person is turned away from a Puente program, such as youth internships or summer camps, due to family income.

Click here to purchase a ticket to the Fall Harvest Fundraiser  on September 14 or to learn more about the event, contact Eleanor Palacios at (650) 879-1691 ext. 323 or epalacios@mypuente.org.

Project Manager, Family Engagement Initiative

Puente seeks a bilingual (English/Spanish) Project Manager to oversee successful implementation of a 0-5 Family Engagement Initiative in the San Mateo County South Coast communities of La Honda, Pescadero, Loma Mar and San Gregorio. The manager will work as part of a Puente/La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District team to build community capacity around early childhood education, develop and implement evidence-based practices in early literacy and math fluency programs that increase family engagement, care provider training, and positive child outcomes. Click here for job description.

Early Literacy/RAR+ Specialist

Puente seeks a bilingual (English/Spanish) Early Literacy/RAR+ Specialist (ELS) to support a 0-5 Family Engagement Initiative in the San Mateo County South Coast communities of La Honda, Pescadero, Loma Mar and San Gregorio. The ELS will work as part of a Puente and La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District team to build community capacity around early childhood education, develop and implement evidence-based practices in early literacy and math programs that increase family engagement, care provider training, and positive child outcomes. Click here for job description.

Help us with back-to-school backpack distribution, August 11 and 12

Once Puente’s summer backpack drive is over, the fun part begins. Help us get brand-new school supplies into the hands of 250 deserving local students. We need help with distribution of backpacks on August 11 and 12, in shifts:

August 11: 8am-8:30pm

August 12: 11:30-8:30pm

To volunteer, email Abby Mohaupt.

Volunteer for 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk, August 16
Puente needs volunteers to help set up and clean up the second annual 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk on August 16 from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m.:

Set up: 6am-7: 30am

Registration: 7am-8: 15am

Water stations: 7:45 am-9:30am

Clean up: 8:15am-10am

Additional help: as available

To volunteer, email Abby Mohaupt.

Help adults learn the rules of the road

This fall, Puente needs several short-term tutors, fluent in Spanish, to mentor adults preparing to take their driver’s license written exam at the DMV. The position involves one or two nights a week, for 4 weeks.

To volunteer, contact Community Outreach Coordinator Ben Ranz at (650) 879-1691 x 143 or email Ben Ranz.

Calling All Bicycle Mechanics!

If you are a bike mechanic with your own tools, we are looking for help on Sunday, October 5th.  We will be heading out to a farm in the area to repair bikes used by farmworkers on the ranches.  No Spanish needed, lunch provided by Puente.  Email Ben Ranz.

Be a Youth Mentor

We are looking for several people to serve as mentors for high school youth. This position expects volunteers to guide and advise students about career options, the importance of higher education or vocational training, and life skills like getting a driver’s license or managing money.  Mentors serve as positive role models and allies for youth. A mentor also would talk to a high school mentee on a regular basis (weekly/bi-monthly/monthly) about school assignments, tests, study skills, and course planning, especially if the student is struggling in school.

For more information on ALL volunteer opportunities, call (650) 879-1691 ext. 102, email Abby Mohaupt, or fill out a Volunteer Form by clicking here.

Puente needs a new car!

Puente is seeking a new “Puentemobile” – a mid-mileage, well-maintained Jeep-type vehicle – for our back roads travel. Have one lying around? Donate it today for major “Carma” (karma) points and a tax deduction.

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.

New kitchen items needed for raffle

Puente is doing a raffle once a month at the Pescadero Grown! Farmers’ Market.  We like to give away new kitchen and other household items that encourage home cooking and a healthy lifestyle. Do you have an extra juicer, slicer, or peeler? How about some extra free weights lying around? Donate them to Puente and help us improve our community’s health.

For details, contact Community Health Coordinator Molly Wolfes at (650) 879-1691 x 321 or email Molly Wolfes.

Puente Needs Thermometers

Puente is asking our community to donate new digital thermometers to help keep the South Coast healthy. Both adult and child thermometers are needed.

For details, contact Community Health Coordinator Molly Wolfes at (650) 879-1691 x 321 or email Molly Wolfes.