Mixteca Organization, Inc.

During the HIV/AIDS pandemic of the 1990s, Sunset Park community member Dr. Gabriel Rincón began mobilizing local efforts to raise awareness about prevention, as stigma and barriers to healthcare were taking a heavy toll on Latino residents in the neighborhood.

From a small basement in Dr. Rincón’s office to a modest space on 723 5th Avenue, Mixteca grew through community campaigns, binational projects, and local collaborations. By 2005, this growth led to a new home at 245 23rd Street, where Mixteca continues to thrive today.

Until 2010, our work remained closely tied to the Mixtec-speaking Indigenous region of Puebla, Mexico. Through early fundraising efforts and new partnerships, however, our local network flourished, allowing us to expand our programs to include education, immigration, and mental health services, while keeping health and wellness at the center of our mission.

Today, Mixteca embraces a holistic, culturally centered approach rooted in trust and community relationships. Our programs address the complex realities faced by immigrant families—most of whom are undocumented, non-citizens, or part of mixed-status households—and who navigate overlapping challenges such as limited English proficiency, overcrowded housing, family violence, social isolation, chronic health issues, and low wages.

By offering tailored, accessible programming, Mixteca has become a model for immigrant empowerment, advancing rights, equity, and community well-being across New York and beyond.

Who We Are

At Mixteca, we believe cultural transformation happens when we empower individuals. We believe everyone has the right to thrive, regardless of political and social barriers. And we believe immigrants possess incredible potential that is only realized when we actively address risk factors in our community like poverty, limited educational resources, lack of legal advocacy, and unequal access to culturally appropriate socio-emotional support and mental health counseling.