5 Trusted Organizations to Help the Relief Efforts in Puerto Rico
Listed here are the recovery effort that are known to be trustworthy, where 100% of the donations will be used pro-relief. Me or a trusted friend can vouch for each of the organizers to these.
Hurricane Maria Community Recovery Fund
The devastating effects of hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico are still unfolding, but one thing is certain—the island's most vulnerable communities are likely to be pummeled the hardest and face the longest road to recovery. Low-income communities of color often face the worst destruction and slowest recovery and have fewer resources to safeguard homes, vehicles, and other property. When the winds die down and the floods recede, these communities are often forgotten by reconstruction efforts, and underserved by insurance companies. The Hurricane Maria Community Relief & Recovery Fund will be housed at the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD). One hundred percent of monies raised will be used to support immediate relief, recovery, and equitable rebuilding in Puerto Rico for the communities hit hardest by the storm. The Fund is governed by organizations like Puerto Rico-based Taller Salud, the G8 of Caño Martín Peña, and other local, grassroots organizations. The Fund will support organizations working with these hardest hit communities in Puerto Rico.
https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/cb4a3c78-5694-4324-bead-42c8ad94c1bf
If you prefer to pay by check: Make checks payable to "Center for Popular Democracy" and write "Maria Fund" in the memo line. Mail to: Center for Popular Democracy c/o Maria Fund 449 Troutman Street, Suite A Brooklyn, NY 11237
Puerto Rico Post Hurricane Maria
Puerto Rico's agriculture needs urgent help due to Hurricane María. After close deliberation we found that cashflow for farmers is the fastest way to help them get back on their feet to start planting seeds that are destined to grow within three months. Right now they need the economical stability they had from Farmer's Markets.
HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE OUR GOAL?
We will distribute $1,500 for 3 consecutive months to 100 agroecological farmers and artisanal food producers which will be distributed though the Farmer's Markets in which they participate.
We are collaborating with all the coordinators of the following Farmer's Markets:
Cooperativa Orgánica Madre Tierra
Mercado Agrícola Natural Viejo San Juan (Slow Food Earth Market)
Mercado Agrícola Natural de Ponce
Aguadilla Farmer's Market
Mercado Agroecológico de Rincón
WHO ARE WE?
Visit Rico is a non profit organization based in Puerto Rico and our mission is to strengthen our agriculture economy through sustainable agritourism to achieve food sovereignty. We have been working since 2015 and we collaborate closely with the farmer's markets, Slow Food, Foundation for Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Bar Association, Conservation Trust, division: Para La Naturaleza.
Find more information here:
Contact us for questions:
Camille Collazo
Directora Ejecutiva
Executive Director
Visit Rico
787-210-4839
Yanna Muriel
Gestora Agrocultural
Agrocultural Manager
Visit Rico
tel. 787-773-1100
https://www.gofundme.com/5markets
Hurricane Relief Fund Puerto Rico
Many of you have asked how to directly help the people of Puerto Rico since Hurricanes Maria and Irma severely impacted our island this month. This fund is fully managed by Vamonos. 100% of proceeds from this account go directly to hurricane relief efforts for our sponsored service locations such as orphanages/foster homes, rural schools, nursing homes, and soup kitchens as well as home repairs (more detailed below). Vamonos' staff will buy, deliver, serve, and install supplies. Nothing will be handled by any third-party. We don't play around - your funds become supplies delivered personally by Vamonos. Expect soon some photos and stories of the lives that were helped and the places rebuilt. Watch for updates on our Vamonos Tours Facebook page.
***MORE DETAILS below*** Presently, approximately 88% of Puerto Rico is without electrical power and only about 50% of the island has water. There is a crisis for finding fuel as well. Our goal is to reach communities that are inaccesible or low priority for local authorities. By reaching our $20,000 mark, we plan to support these locations by purchasing and delivering supplies.
LOCATIONS & OUTREACH PLAN (You may recognize these places!) 1. Barrio La Perla - Old San Juan This is where the video "Despacito" was mostly filmed. This Old San Juan historic community is one of the poorest and oldest in the city. Approximately 100 families lost their roofs in the storm and had to evacuate. Help, food, and water are urgently needed. For the last three years, Vamonos has been serving here by painting, developing their organic garden, and assisting with their local Head Start and plaza. Goal: $6,000
2. Rural Elementary Schools - In Lajas and Guanica We've worked directly with rural local schools in this southwestern region for over 15 years. We provide cultural exchange events, service-learning activities, and workshops. We also bring school supplies and work on their facilities. After Hurricane Maria, schools are in need of supplies and help with their damaged facilities. Goal: $2,000
3. Hogar San Miguel - Ponce Boys Orphanage / Foster Home located in Ponce. There are many needs for their 14-16 kids ages 5 -18. Link: SanMiguel Goal: $2,000
4. Centro San Francisco - Ponce K-12 school located in the Barrio Tamarindo in Ponce; one of the poorest schools in the island. There are about 160 students in total. The school was severely affected and there are many needs. Goal: $3,000
5. Hogar Manuel Fernandez Juncos - San Juan One of the largest boys' orphanage/foster home located in San Juan. Home of 20-25 kids from ages 5 - 18; Post hurricane photos on their facebook page: Casa de Niños Manuel Fernández Juncos Goal: $2,000
6. Centro Esperanza - Loiza Underprivileged K-3 Montessori school and community center; they provide afternoon music school, counseling and psychological assistance to the community. Link: Centro Esperanza Loiza Goal: $2,000
7. Other areas of greatest need - We are still investigating the damage to the homes of our assistant guides Tito, Nery, and Wendi. It's quite possible that Tito lost his home. We want to help them rebuild their homes as needed. There are many more locations we are in contact with and will keep our eyes open for the urgent and pressing needs. Goal: $3,000
***Ways to contribute: 1. This GOFUNDME account - it's the best and most direct way to contribute.
2. Check to Vamonos Tours - use memo: Vamonos PR Hurricane Relief Fund. - Checks can be mailed to: Vamonos Tours PO BOX 7842 Wilmington, DE 19803 USA 3. Tour donations - If you are coming to Puerto Rico on tour and would like to bring donations, ask our staff for a list of specific and practical donations.
THANK YOU again for your generosity and for standing with us during this difficult time.
https://www.gofundme.com/vamonos-hurricane-relief-fund
PARA LA NATURALEZA COMMUNITY FUND
Dear Para la Naturaleza family: The Islands of Puerto Rico were battered by a natural phenomenon that affected all aspects of our existence. However, I feel relieved to report that all of our staff members are safe and, while some of their homes suffered extensive damages, they will have our full support. Damage assessed of our nature reserves shows that many of them had major losses, especially in Ponce, Barranquitas and Manatí. The rebuilding process will be long but we have already begun the cleanup efforts. One of our biggest and immediate concerns is the impact that Hurricane Maria had on the communities that are close to our nature reserves. The destruction in those communities is extensive and many of our neighbors have been left with nothing. As an organization, Para la Naturaleza has established three relief efforts which will channel our support to these communities: 1. Hurricane Relief & Recovery Fund: Today we have established the Para la Naturaleza Community Fund in order to fund relief and recovery efforts in our neighboring communities. As a certified 501(c)(3), all donations will be tax-deductible, and 100% of the donations will go to help the communities near our 50 nature reserves. 2. Volunteers: As soon as we have the necessary communication and fuel resources available, we will launch a massive campaign to recruit volunteers to help us with a recovery cleaning effort in these communities. 3. Reforestation Campaign: Once our neighbors and their communities are stabilized, we will immediately launch a reforestation campaign to restore the important natural resources. We ask for your support by contributing to our Para la Naturaleza Community Fund. The entire Para la Naturaleza team stands ready to both mobilize and give relief to those in immediate need, as well as addressing the restoration of the natural habitats of our land. We thank you for your generous support!
Fernando Lloveras San Miguel, Esq. President
http://www.paralanaturaleza.org/centros/donate.html
Watch The Last Colony on Demand and The Profits go to VOICES for Puerto Rico.
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/lastcolony
VOICES FOR PUERTO RICO (Voces por Puerto Rico) is a nationwide grassroots humanitarian and nonpartisan initiative by Puerto Rican artists and influencers residing in the US to support rural and/or disconnected local communities affected in Puerto Rico by natural disasters and economic challenges. Our mission is to identify and support non-profit local organizations working directly with the community to provide basic resources, including proven alternative solutions to housing, accessing solar energy as well as offering art, cultural and sports initiatives in an effort to promote emotional, physical and mental health. VOICES launched its first fundraiser campaign via YOUCARING and we need your support. The funds will go directly to RS Events for Life, a 501(c)3 organization located in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Founded by Roselyn Sánchez—Puerto Rican actress and activist, as well as co-founder of VOICES—RS Events for Life (EIN: 66-0762342) will distribute the funds raised through the YOUCARING VOICES FOR PUERTO RICO campaign to identified non-profit organizations that fulfill our mission.
https://www.youcaring.com/voicesforpuertorico-959323
If you would like me to recommend some more, don't hesitate to contact me, I will sway you in the right direction. This is an ongoing process and I will keep looking and learning about different efforts around the island that will undoubtedly need help.
Gracias.