About Us
El Puente Community Center is a Hispanic community center in Cookeville, TN that serves as a bridge to connect the Hispanic community with the different resources available to them in Cookeville and Putnam County.
Our Mission
The mission of El Puente is to create a welcoming community and offer resources that empower and connect the Hispanic Community of Cookeville.
Meet Our Team
Chad Mynatt
Executive Director
Chad Mynatt has been working with the Hispanic Community since he was in college, where he gained a passion for the Spanish language, culture, and people. Being fully immersed for 6 years in the Dominican Republic, his passion for the culture continued to grow. He is one of the founding members of El Puente. His work encompasses all areas of the organization including operations, growth, and fundraising efforts.
Meet Chad
Jill Mynatt
Director of Development
Meet Jill
Jill Mynatt was raised in Cookeville, TN. After working with Spanish speakers in the Dominican Republic for several years, Jill felt passionate about using her ability to speak Spanish to reach out and help others within her own hometown community. With a growing number of Hispanic families in the area and a strong desire to help build bridges within the Cookeville community, Jill is happy to be a part of the El Puente team. She believes that when we are all focused on loving our neighbors, we can make our community a better place for everyone.
Jeff Reese
Coordinator
Meet Jeff
At the age of fourteen, Jeff Reese had the opportunity to travel internationally for the first time to the Dominican Republic changing the way that he would see the world. Upon graduation from Tennessee Tech University in 2012, he moved to the Dominican Republic for over six years where he continued to be shaped by a new language, culture, and experience. Returning to Cookeville in 2019, he was changed and had to find ways to connect with the local Hispanic community. El Puente has been an amazing fit to give him an opportunity to “bridge” people, resources, needs, cultures, and communities together! He is excited about a growing Hispanic community in the Upper Cumberland area and excited for the opportunities to come with El Puente.
Jordan Reese
Coordinator
Meet Jordan
Jordan was raised in Chattanooga, TN, and after graduating from Tennessee Tech began her work in ministry. After a few years in the States working with teens she joined the work of Manna in the Dominican Republic with her husband, Jeff. They moved back to the Cookeville area to work with Manna in 2019. She is thankful to be a part of El Puente and bless the Hispanic community of Cookeville. Jordan and Jeff have two children, Caroline and Patrick.
Kim Riós
Case Manager
Meet Kim
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she comes from a Hispanic community with a hint of American traditions. Kim grew up learning Spanish and English, which in a way makes her the perfect bridge. After graduating college, she moved to Tennessee in 2016 to start working with an environmental office. Working to help improve the environment, she started doing her master’s at Tennessee Tech, to improve herself professionally and personally. By applying for a Graduate Assistantship, she learned about El Puente Community Center. She wanted to be part of this unique opportunity from day one. She really likes the Cafecito Time and meeting people, makes her feel at home.