Puentes Collective held a retreat on October 2024 in San Diego, CA. The retreat’s theme for 2024 was I am a Puente (bridge) as we explored an inward pilgrimage within ourselves and our gifts as bicultural and bilingual individuals.
Being in San Diego was very significant for many of us who are considered first and 1.5 generation. It was also meaningful to those of us whose families arrived much earlier as we were able to hold space for one another and re-membered the spiritual and cultural roots of our ancestors. We heard from our elders in the faith and justice movement, created an altar led by the children of some Puente members, learned the history and significance of Danza Azteca and pilgrimaged to historic Chicano Park revisiting the sacredness of the land that came with both joy and resistance. As the presidential elections loomed just a week ahead of the retreat, there was unified agreement on the need and importance of Puente space to sustain our calling as we walk alongside our community in faith and justice spaces.