30 Dec 2023 Five-Oh-Ones to Watch 2024: Raul Fernandez, Seis Puentes

Raul Fernandez brings passion to everything he does. The 36-year-old has such a drive for community service, he says little time is left for much else, but he would not have it any other way.

Fernandez is the executive director for Seis Puentes Hispanic Outreach, a nonprofit on a mission to empower the Hispanic and immigrant communities in Central Arkansas. 

Seis Puentes offers free English classes, free youth summer art programs, free financial and digital literacy workshops, a food pantry and the North Little Rock ID Card Program. So far, they have helped over 700 people obtain IDs.

Born in Jacksonville, Fernandez attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School in North Little Rock and then graduated from Little Rock’s Catholic High School for Boys in 2006. Fernandez now calls North Little Rock home.

After first attending the University of Central Arkansas, he later graduated in 2018 from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. 

Family is important to Fernandez, who was encouraged to serve the community by his parents who came to North Little Rock from Puerto Rico in the late 1970s. He also has a brand-new niece who lives in California but recently spent a month with their family here in Central Arkansas.

Prior to joining Seis Puentes, Fernandez worked for the Rogers Photo Archive, where he was able to help create a digital scrapbook of America’s history and also auctioned vintage photography and sports memorabilia. In addition, he worked for three years as a caretaker to three wonderful little boys.

Founded over 20 years ago, Seis Puentes recently moved into its new headquarters in the city’s Levy neighborhood. Fernandez has served as executive director since early 2021. He has helped the organization to continue to grow its programming, including a backpack drive, which has doubled every year under his leadership.

Fernandez’s passion is evident when speaking about the nonprofit’s mission, stating, “I feel so proud, privileged and honored to be a part of the magic at Seis Puentes because I see the meaningful impact we create every day through our extensive free resources like our English classes, our financial literacy workshops and our food pantry and food distributions. 

I often think of what it may have been like for my parents who moved to Arkansas from Puerto Rico and all the challenges that come with finding yourself in a new home. I want all our new neighbors to know that they definitely belong here and that they definitely have a friend in Seis Puentes.”

Fernandez states that when not serving the community as part of his job, volunteering his free time to additional community service is his main hobby. He is also involved with the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, including serving on their Minority Business Accelerator committee. He also sits on the outreach board of the Patrick Hays Senior Citizens Center.When he does have a little down time, Fernandez enjoys the company of his poodle, Junior, and listening to NPR.