Activated the Community Recovery Fund for Puerto Rico to expand the scope of its strategic intervention through donations.
San Juan, Friday, January 17, 2020 | To respond to the emergency caused by the earthquakes strategically and quickly, Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico (FCPR) announced that made its first emergency grant to Río Chiquito Community Aqueduct, in Ponce, to guarantee access to drinking water for 84 families that are supplied by the community system. The grant is possible after the FCPR Board of Directors approved the amount of $300,000 to support through expedited donations non-profit organizations that are offering immediate help and / or psycho-emotional support to affected communities. FCPR will invite organizations from the area and could also consider organizations outside the area.
The contributions are part of a strategic design that also includes: workshops for community organizations to prepare communities for seismic events and, eventually, housing orientation. Donations will be subject to availability of funds. To support this philanthropic effort, the FCPR immediately activated the Community Recovery Fund for Puerto Rico so that individuals, foundations and corporations make donations to expand the scope of social investment, allowing more organizations and affected individuals to benefit from the philanthropic effort.
“Non-profit organizations proved to be an indispensable philanthropic ally during the immediate response to the emergency of Hurricane Maria, as they became the first responders in their communities. These organizations are community-based and know first-hand the needs of their communities”, said FCPR President, Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats.
Río Chiquito Community Acueduct, a based non-profit organization, used the g of grant of $6,285, which they received last Tuesday, January 14, to replace the pump motor of the drinking water system, which is independent from the Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (Puerto Rico Aqueducts and Sewers Authority), as well as its installation —the engine was damaged due to instability in the electrical power system. The grant was also used for the purchase of items of basic need, including: diapers, disposable wet towels, bathroom chairs, portable toilet and wheelchair. “From Sunday to Wednesday morning we were without water service. Thanks to the fact that the Foundation gave us that grant, we were able to buy the equipment and the drinking water service has been reestablished”, said the treasurer of the community aqueduct, Gumersindo Torres Álvarez.
To respond to the emergency caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, the Puerto Rico Community Recovery Fund raised $ 15 million from individuals, private and community foundations in the United States, companies and others. These donations were distributed to affected communities through nonprofits and are duly documented in published reports. To know the progress of that work, click on the following link: Community Capital Growth. To donate, visit fcpr.org or click the following link: I want to donate.