For over 57 years, JUNTA for Progressive Action has been New Haven's trusted, Hispanic-led anchor for Fair Haven families. This year, we're bringing our youth programs together under one fund because they share one goal: giving every JUNTA kid the tools to succeed through the whole year.

Back-to-School

Families pre-register so we can purchase durable, properly sized backpacks and supplies for 200 children — not leftover donations, but backpacks and supplies built to last the full year.

Junta Rises

This year, Junta is taking on 20 high schoolers for the first-ever Junta Rises cohort. Bilingual, culturally grounded support for high school students is rare — most youth programs stop at middle school, leaving teens without the mentorship and leadership pipeline they need most. Junta Rises closes that gap: incoming high schoolers (ages 14–19, first-generation and all welcome) get full high-school starter kits plus a year-round leadership program built around Academic Readiness, Financial Literacy, Cultural Identity, and Career Pathways — including mentorship matches, career exposure, financial literacy training, cultural events, volunteer hours, tutor resources, and a RISES Brag Book portfolio. Only 20 spots are available for this founding cohort (Sept–Dec 2026), and it's building the college and career readiness pipeline our high schoolers have never had access to before.

Big Turtle Village — After School, Summer Camp & Sleepaway Camp

For 25 years, Big Turtle Village has provided safe, nurturing, and culturally grounded experiences for youth throughout Greater New Haven. As a bilingual program, we help children discover who they are and who they can become through leadership development, cultural pride, arts, music, outdoor adventure, and community connection — through After School, Summer Camp, and Sleepaway Camp. Every child deserves a place to belong, grow, and thrive. Big Turtle Village creates that place. Once the school day ends, JUNTA's After School program keeps kids engaged with academic support, enrichment, and a safe, supervised space — giving working families peace of mind and giving kids room to grow.

Junta Youth Empowerment Fund