Fall Harvest 2015                       

Fans know there’s nothing quite like Puente’s Fall Harvest Fundraiser, a countrified community event that brings together Puente donors, volunteers, participants, farmworkers, local parents and youth around a food-laden farm table.

You never know what will happen at the annual fundraiser, held this year on Sunday, September 25 from 4-6 p.m. at Harley Farms Goat Dairy in Pescadero. Last year, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) showed up, took the stage, and personally gave out certificates and awards of recognition to Puente volunteers and youth. It was a sun-filled afternoon, capped by touching tributes, adorable frolicking goats, gourmet farm food and Puente’s trademark heart-filled moments of connection.

“It’s our chance to thank the people who support us,” says Puente Executive Director, Rita Mancera.

It’s also a chance for Puente to acknowledge its most valued volunteers and recognize the funders who make it possible for Puente to improve the lives of hundreds of participants each year. “Many people support Puente and they do so in lots of different ways. We have volunteers sharing their professional expertise pro bono, while others decide to make a difference by tutoring young people. Many support us financially and there are some that do it all and more. It is truly incredible!” says Mancera.

This year, Puente will honor Mary Gregory and the Bella Vista Foundation with its Outstanding Advocate Award. And Puente will present its Outstanding Volunteer Award to Saul Armenta and Elizabeth Gatt, two people who have shown extraordinary dedication to their community through Puente’s programs in the past year.

Armenta is a farm worker in his twenties who believes so strongly in learning English that he has gone out of his way promote Puente’s adult ESL program to his fellow farm workers. He always comes early to class to help set up, and stays afterwards to break everything down.

Gatt is a local resident who started volunteering as an English-language conversation partner in Puente’s Cafecito program this year and hasn’t missed a single session. She also volunteers for Station Night, where Puente uses creative role-playing scenarios to test ESL students’ real-world English abilities. She donates to Puente’s annual Back to School Supplies Drive. And she volunteers at Puente’s farmers’ market twice a month, leading children’s activities while their parents shop.

“They are both exceptional people. It’s really special when we have volunteers from our community, for our community,” says Mancera.

Puente’s roots go deep with the San Francisco-based Bella Vista Foundation. The foundation has supported Puente’s efforts since 2005. The collaboration has resulted in many important initiatives over the years, including home visiting to families with children 0-5 years old and two major programs that use traditional Mexican holidays and festivals to reduce maternal depression. The first is the Madres Project, which stages Latino-relevant holiday events like Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Christmas Posada to bring people together in community rituals that foster a sense of connection at a difficult time of year. The second is Zumba, which is among the most popular programs Puente offers on a weekly basis.

Both programs have succeeded to such an extent that they have launched a cohort of female leaders, who founded a daily walking group. The women have also become leaders in planning several community events, such as the Posada. “It has empowered women, and also made a difference for their families. It’s gone way beyond what we expected,” enthuses Mancera.

The Bella Vista Foundation supports programs that help parents and primary caregivers nurture young children by helping them overcome stress and depression that can prevent bonding. Back in 2005, there was only one nonprofit in San Mateo County addressing those needs for low-income parents: Puente.

“Here was an organization in an under-funded part of San Mateo County, and the only one even attempting to do this work with families,” recalls Mary Gregory, Executive Director of the Bella Vista Foundation. “Since then, to be able to see the growth of knowledge and programs at Puente is really fun for us.”

Mancera says Bella Vista has made Puente a better nonprofit. “They always push us to do better. They challenge us. They have helped us grow into a more efficient, more thoughtful organization.”

Many of the local women who have benefited from these programs will attend the Fall Harvest Fundraiser. Over the years, the event has gained quite a reputation for delicious food, catered by Harley Farms, which provides fresh, locally sourced hors d’oeuvres on a long farm table in a barn. Many of the dishes feature Harley Farms’ signature cheeses, topped with edible flowers. This year, celebrated local DJ (and Puente Board member) Larry Trujillo will entertain the guests.

Puente has a fundraising goal of $70,000 this year, $21,000 of which it has already raised from generous lead sponsors such as Kaiser Permanente, New Leaf Community Market and the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST). The funding is critical for Puente’s new Childcare Parent Coop, its flagship youth program and safety net services to serve our local community when they need it the most.

The third annual Puente Fall Harvest Fundraiser is on Sunday, September 25 from 4 to 6 p.m.
at Harley Farms Goat Dairy, 205 North Street in Pescadero. Tickets are $100.

                                                                                        For Tickets and sponsorship information,                                                                                       please contact Alejandra Ortega, aortega@mypuente.org or (650) 262-4100 

Three new Community Health Promoters in Puente’s ranks will be focused on serving the English-speaking communities of La Honda, Loma Mar, San Gregorio and Pescadero. Samantha Warner, Betsy Maldonado and Dan Newitt all joined Puente this summer as community health workers, also known as Promotores de Salud.  You may see them at farms and nurseries, attending community festivals and events, and in your neighborhoods talking with people about health care services at Puente. This is their primary work—out in the world engaging with people and promoting health. In addition to this outreach  in the community, they will also be available three days a week (Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays) at Puente’s La Honda office, at 8865 La Honda Road.

A big part of the work right now is finding out what kinds of services people want and need. Some examples: help applying for affordable health insurance; finding a doctor or getting a ride to an appointment; information on nutrition and exercise, tailored to address issues like diabetes and hypertension; healthy cooking classes; and counseling. It’s all potentially available, depending on what services folks request.

Puente’s newest Community Health Promoters, also known as  Promotores de Salud.  From left to right, Samantha Warner, Betsy Maldonado, and Dan Newitt. 

“I really believe the additional health promoters will be able to offer something for everyone who lives on the South Coast. Our first job is to start getting out there to ask what the community is interested in having, and then finding local people, other local resources and organizations, and staff at Puente who are trained for that,” says Betsy Maldonado, who moved to La Honda in 2015. She is training to be a professional health coach, and she applied for the health promoter position at Puente after having a ‘wow’ moment on Puente’s website.

“I saw the huge range of services Puente offers—everything from Zumba classes to helping someone get food. And dental care, rides to doctors, food stamps, Spanish classes. I thought to myself, I can’t believe it—they offer everything here!”

Samantha Warner felt the same way when she learned about Puente. Like Maldonado, she moved to La Honda last year and loves the tight-knit community vibe. Now she wants to help children and families get the services and attention they deserve. “Wherever l live, I need to get involved in my community. I’m just that kind of person. I try to be helpful. And to get paid to do it as a health promoter is just the icing on the cake!” she says.

Dan Newitt, the third new health promoter, is a respected La Hondan and a popular artist and musician. His bands frequently gig at places like the San Gregorio General Store.

Wolfes hopes to repeat the runaway success of Puente’s current Promotores program, which began in August 2015. To date, Puente’s Spanish-speaking outreach workers have made 970 individual connections with locals and connected 2,000 times overall. Dozens of people have signed up for health coverage as a result. Many now visit Puente’s county medical clinic, or receive discounted farmworker dental services.

Puente’s new health outreach team will adapt their approach to the diversified communities of La Honda, San Gregorio, Loma Mar and Pescadero.

The new health outreach effort coincides with an overall renaissance at Puente’s La Honda office, which has existed for several years. With this new program, Puente plans to have a stronger presence in the La Honda office by staffing it three days a week and offering more services. “This has already spawned more energy in our La Honda office. Every time we have our meetings and the door is open, someone walks in and says, ‘Good! You’re here!’” says Wolfes.

Services in the La Honda office will steadily expand from now on. A county health nurse recently offered mindfulness classes there. On Thursday afternoons, staff is on hand to assist community members with health care enrollments, notary services, tax preparation and other financial assistance programs such as CalFresh benefits. And Spanish classes will begin again in the fall.

Puente is also talking about bringing in some computers for people to use on a drop-in basis, as well as a copier and fax machine. Like so much in La Honda, those services are a long drive away. Though La Honda has a terrific Country Market store, there is no nearby gas station or laundromat.

A survey of 135 people at the La Honda Fair & Music Festival in July showed overwhelmingly support for healthy cooking and exercise classes in town. Locals are also seeking mental health support and help managing chronic diseases, like Lyme’s and diabetes. A majority of respondents mentioned they struggle with a variety of illnesses and conditions, especially obesity, high blood pressure, depression and asthma, or that they have a family member who does.

The results of the survey will shape Puente’s priorities in the months ahead. “There’s definitely a need and a desire in the community,” says Wolfes. “We want to increase Puente’s services to the entire South Coast region.”

Puente’s La Honda office, at 8865 La Honda Road, is now open on Monday from 3-7 p.m., Friday from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For details about health services, contact Molly Wolfes at (650) 262-5989 or mwolfes@mypuente.org. 

To learn more about Puente, visit www.mypuente.org.

To make a donation—and help support Puente’s services in La Honda—click here.

Join us for the Fourth Annual Puente 5k Fun Run/Walk!

It costs just $15 ($12 if you sign up before August 1) to join and a portion benefits Puente and its mission to, among other things, promote health and wellness throughout the South Coast.

Take in a beautiful walk or run through eucalyptus trees and alongside farms while supporting the essential services for local men, women, kids and families- our friends and neighbors who need it most.

Enjoy local food at the finish line and then you will still have plenty of time to check out the Pescadero Arts and Fun Festival!

Sign up today here!