Executive Summary

The South Coast is a rural and unincorporated community in San Mateo County. It is an agricultural hub and home to low-income families, mostly immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador. For 25 years, Puente has provided equitable access to resources and built trust through offering innovative programs and services such as a bilingual childcare cooperative, youth leadership development and summer paid internships, scholarships, adult education, mobile health services, dental services for farmworkers, community engagement and organizing, policy advocacy, legal immigration services, mental health services, financial literacy and financial assistance, and much more. These programs and services have assisted families and individuals navigate against the existing inequities and structural barriers. For Puente staff, the work is personal. We understand the urgent need for resources to reach this area to address the challenges of rural isolation and limited infrastructure. 75% of our staff live or grew up in the community and come from immigrant households or are immigrants themselves. Puente advocates for the South Coast locally and regionally and amplifies community voices through advisory groups. Community input and participation informs our work, and strategic priorities through 2025. Together with our community we have decided to focus on finding solutions for housing, expanding our childcare programs, increasing access to health insurance for low-income families, expanding our youth services to middle school age students, creating new advocacy program for parents of students in grades K-5 and leading equitable initiatives among our board and staff.

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