“Every time I talk about my story and the challenges I went through as a young Latinx immigrant, I highlight how lucky I was to find Puentes. This organization has had a huge in pact on my identity, my education, and my sense of expression through art. I moved to the U.S when I was fifteen years old, I did not know a word in English or how to navigate the new me, a Latinx immigrant. I often felt as if I did not belong to this new life of mine because of who I was. I was sometimes ashamed of my citizenship status, of my color, of my accent, and many other things that come with being an immigrant. It was difficult for me to find the value that exists in who I am and my story, and I do not think I could have ever done it if it would have been for the support, love, and inspiration I found in the community Puentes has brought together through their programs.”