Fundación Comunitaria strengthens the efforts of nonprofit organizations to prevent and contain COVID-19 from the community base.
Puerto Rico Community Foundation (FCPR) has granted 46 non-profit organizations, located in 64 towns on the island, philanthropic investments (donations) totaling $802,966.06, to support COVID-19 prevention and containment efforts. The efforts promote community activation and are mostly concentrated in the population of older adults, The community that is most at risk of death, according to experts.
It also supports other populations in vulnerable situations due to social isolation measures related to Covid-19. The initiative has already benefited 22,426 people; 13,739 food bags and boxes of nutritional supplements have been delivered; and 4,309 Covid-19 tests have been or are being administered in coordination with private laboratories.
To meet the objective, In addition, the FCPR outlined four strategies that give direction to the grants: (1) support for community health clinics, (2) efforts aimed at community organizing to establish geriatric health initiatives in communities, (3) and efforts that address the needs of the homeless and women, as well as housing and water access initiatives, and promotion of community economic activation. The fourth strategy is the development of alliances.
Related video: Why include community activation in the response to COVID-19?
The implementation of these strategies is made possible thanks to donations from Agua Fund, Amgen Foundation, Atlantic College (COSACO fiscal sponsorship), Central Florida Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, Filantropía Puerto Rico, Global Giving, Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Funds, Laboratorios Borinquen (COSACO fiscal sponsorship), Miranda Foundation, Panamerican Group (COSACO fiscal sponsorship), Open Society, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, The Prospect Hill Foundation and Vestergaard SA..
FCPR issued a closed call -by invitation- to organizations that had already collaborated with FCPR in crisis situations and that could implement a community program focused mostly on the elderly population.
Organizations supported to promote community organization to implement the geriatric health initiative or to support populations “made vulnerable” by social distancing or isolation measures.
El Otoao Primary Health Care and Socioeconomic Development Corporation (COSSAO)
The donation will support:
- Identify the health needs of at least 120 older adults including screening for signs and symptoms of flu or common cold.
- Cover full or partial payment of 120 Rapid Test and/or Covid PCR.
- Grant at least 200 purchases of food and medicines.
Social and Cultural Development Committee of Daguao, Inc.
The donation will support:
- To 70 older adults (40% of the community), most of them alone and bedridden, over a period of three (3) months, to ensure that they do not become infected with the coronavirus and that their basic needs for protection and adequate food are met.
- 100 tests will be conducted for the elderly and their caregivers, masks and medical equipment will be purchased, and food and agricultural products will be purchased and delivered.
VAMOS, Concertación Ciudadana, Inc.
The donation will support the following actions in the communities of Arenas, La Laguna and La Luna in Guánica:
- Professional services for community organizing and intervention.
- Procurement of tests to be performed by private laboratory.
- Project promotion and virus orientation information.
- Access to gloves, masks and disinfectants.
A second grant was awarded to this NPO to expand pandemic-related services by adding eight communities located in five municipalities: Margarita and Las Mareas in Salinas; Sector Reparto Macias del Barrio Limon in Mayagüez; San Carlos in Dorado; Yahuecas, Guilarte and Portillo in Adjuntas; and Castañer in Lares (includes access to food). A third donation aims to expand pandemic-related services to six (6) municipalities: Aguas Buenas (several communities), Caguas pueblo, Parcelas Vieques and Villa Cristiana in Loíza, sectors of Río Piedras in San Juan, Toro Negro in Ciales and the island municipality of Vieques; conduct an ethnography of the project in the Arenas community; and develop the epidemiological project of the Arenas community.
Strengthen the work of nonprofit organizations so that they can implement or continue their protection actions for people who are “vulnerable” as a result of social distancing or isolation measures.
Women of the Islands Inc.
The donation will support:
- The Sazón-Cocina Comunitaria-Escuela de Cocina y Mujeres de Islas, Inc. project will distribute food to the vulnerable population, people with functional diversity and senior citizens. Some of the ways they will support the COVID-19 emergency:
- To ensure that the entire community, with the main focus on vulnerable populations, with functional diversity such as the elderly, receive food that ensures a balanced and nutritious diet.
- Coordinate the provision of basic necessities (adult diapers, disposable wipes, bed pads, petroleum jelly, etc.).
- With adequate protection to avoid contagion, provide the elderly with attention to their physical, social and emotional health, especially through planting, harvesting, cooking and eating food.
- Collaborate with the organization Salud para Culebra.
- Sewing workshop for the production of masks.
Fondita de Jesus, Inc.
The purpose of the donation is to:
- Develop a health promotion and education program, with emphasis on the prevention and management of COVID-19, in 400 homeless older adults.
- The organization proposes to impact with priority the communities of San Juan: El Gandul, Villa Clemente, Shangai, La Marina; and the agencies Casa Juan Ruiz Vélez, La Inmaculada, San Cristóbal Apartments and San Sebastián Apartments.
- They will provide education and orientation, medical services, the administration of molecular testing, protective and safety equipment for participants, volunteers and employees, and the purchase and distribution of food.
Just for Today Inc.
- Support the Right to Housing program.
- To place in some type of housing for those who request it.
- Reduce exposure to COVID-19 through the administration of rapid tests and distribution of food and protective materials in the impact area.
- The organization has identified 689 homeless people in the metropolitan area, of which 279 are people over 60 years of age.
Corporation for the Economic Development of Trujillo Alto Inc. (CDETA)
- To provide security and protection during the COVID-19 pandemic to the elderly adults of the Aires del Manantial aegis, in Trujillo Alto.
- Support will be provided to 145 elderly people through emotional and educational counseling, protective and preventive equipment, the coordinated administration of rapid tests, and the distribution of food and nutritional supplements.
Coalition of Coalitions for the Homeless of PR, Inc.
- Support the Homeless Housing and Health initiative.
- Impact 175 homeless people and 25 direct service employees, with priority in Mayagüez-west, Ponce-south and Fajardo-east.
- Administers calibrated serological rapid tests
- Acquire personal protection and disinfection equipment.
- Purchase of digital thermometers
- Reproduce informational materials on symptom identification, prevention and resources available to the homeless.
PECES Inc.
The donation will support:
- Economically to micro-enterprises previously identified by this organization and that have been affected by the emergency due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
- The donation will be used for the payment of employee payroll to restart operations, purchase of inventory and/or the payment of any insurance, rent or service that will allow it to continue operations in a safe and virus-free manner.
Fight AIDS Inc.
- Prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19 in the 140 residents of two aegis in Carolina and Gurabo: Remanso Elderly and Gurabo Elderly; in 101 independent living homeless persons in other (2) projects; and in 6 direct service and administrative employees.
- Prevent and contain contagion through cleaning and disinfection of objects and common areas.
- Procurement of protective equipment for residents and essential personnel
- Purchase and deliver non-perishable food
- Pandemic Orientation
Vitrina Solidaria Inc.
The donation will support:
- Economically to micro-enterprises previously identified by this organization and that have been affected by the emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To reduce the adverse effect or risk of business closures, social distancing measures and business curfews.
that have been incubated by FCPR-supported incubator organizations.
Oficina Pro Ayuda Personas con Impedimentos Inc. (OPAPI)
- To provide security and protection during the COVID-19 pandemic to the 13 residents of the Casa Dorada aegis in Yabucoa and to 100 elderly adults in the surrounding rural communities.
- It will provide non-perishable food, infection prevention, coordinated administration of COVID-19 rapid tests, and protective and hygienic equipment.
OPDH Inc.
The donation:
- It will financially support micro-enterprises previously identified by this organization that have been affected by the emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- One of these efforts is to reduce the adverse effect or risk of business closures, social distancing measures and curfews on businesses that have been incubated by FCPR-supported incubator organizations.
FUNDESCO Inc.
- The donation will support the purchase of equipment and materials for protection, disinfection and hygiene for 165 residents of its six projects in Caguas (elderly, homeless, women survivors of domestic violence, HIV/AIDS patients, children and high-risk youth), plus 30 employees.
- Purchase bed linens and bath towels to ensure hygiene for the elderly and homeless at Villas del Peregrino and the shelter.
- Acquire disinfection materials for the common areas of the projects.
- Purchase and delivery of non-perishable and nutritious food for the 54 residents of Villas del Peregrino and 60 residents of the shelter (elderly and homeless).
- Hiring of a nurse.
Sister Isolina Ferré Centers Inc.
The donation seeks:
- Reduce the adverse effect or risk of business closures, social distancing measures and curfews on businesses that have been incubated by FCPR-supported incubator organizations.
- The economic support requested will be distributed as follows: $1,500.00 to six (6) entrepreneurs for a total of $9,000.00.
- The investment will be used to purchase inventory and pay employee payroll, a contribution that will be of great support to continue or restart operations.
Women's Foundation of Puerto Rico
Support non-profit organizations that serve women, girls and gender-fluid people so that they can provide COVID-19 prevention counseling; distribute food, hygiene and basic necessities; provide housing protection, including basic water and electricity services; and purchase audiovisual equipment for prevention counseling.
Pediatric Diabetes Foundation
The population living with diabetes on our Island is more vulnerable if they contract the COVID-19 virus, because their immune system is more compromised and the recovery process could be adversely affected, since blood glucose levels will inevitably be altered, causing more serious complications.
- Virtual education services to 330 Type 1 diabetes patients, ages 0-21 years, for 8 months; and technical assistance for the development of a sustainability plan for the organization in order to achieve economic stability.
Hope for the Aging Inc.
The donation will support:
- Providing safety, security, emotional support, and physical efficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic to the 73 residents and 23 employees of the Ciudad de Ensueño in Bayamón and the Golden Age Cecilia Orta in Carolina.
- The performance of 96 COVID-19 RNA PCR tests.
- Workshops to stimulate the cognitive and physical areas of the residents.
- Didactic material on COVID-19 and how to stay cognitively active.
- Protective and hygiene items and safety material (plexiglass) for the desks of direct service and administrative personnel.
Autism Alliance of Puerto Rico
The donation will support:
- The acquisition of food purchase cards in local supermarket chains for 40 families with children with autism who have limited or simply no access to food purchases due to lack of employment.
Amor Kennedy Auditorium (The Kennedy Dining Room)
The donation will support:
- The food security of vulnerable people with the distribution of non-perishable food in 30 meeting points in the metropolitan area, including communities, aegis, public housing and sectors or neighborhoods such as Luis Lloréns Torres, Monte Park, Villa España, Ramos Antonini, Alejandrino, Los Lirios, Berwind and Hill Brothers, among others.
Donations were also given to community health clinics (330 Centers), with the support of the Primary Health Association of Puerto Rico. In addition, to the General Hospital of Castañer, Inc.
Migrant Health Center, Western Region Inc.
The donation will support:
-Hiring two nurses to perform basic screening in terms of patient care and to ensure that patients comply with their physician's instructions in terms of chronic conditions as applicable.
-Procurement of 175 COVID-19 rapid tests to be administered to adults over 70 years of age who present symptoms of possible infection.
Patillas Primary Health Services Center, Inc..
The donation will support:
-Hiring of a Pharmacy Assistant for a period of three (3) months.
-Acquisition of nutritional supplements for 250 elderly adults
Advanced Healthcare and Medical Services Corporation, Inc.. (COSSMA)
The donation will support:
-Purchase and home delivery of nutritional supplements through 6 employees, to ensure that 400 adults over 70 years of age with chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes can adequately preserve their health during the COVID-19 emergency.
-Continue with home visiting services and delivery of medicines to the 400 older adults through COSSMA's professional staff.
Loíza Integrated Health Council, Inc.
The donation will support:
-A call center to educate about COVID-19 prevention and health care; provide emotional support and identify medication needs for chronic conditions.
-Procurement of basic foodstuffs for distribution to identified senior citizens.
-Purchase of medical equipment for taking blood pressure, sugar and temperature.
-Purchase of protective equipment to provide for the population served and for the employees who will provide the services.
-Drug expenses and/or emerging drug deductibles.
-Purchase of basic necessities, such as: adult pampers, wet wipes, petroleum jelly and others.
PryMed Medical Care, Inc.
The donation will support:
Purchase and home delivery of 9,020 non-perishable food items (including: cans of beans, sausages, ham, tuna, chicken, rice packets, sweet cookies, UTH milk, small boxes of cookies, juices, potato cheese and bottles of oil).
-Continue with direct and social services to the elderly through the “Enlace en tu comunidad” Program and the PryMed Transportation Program.
Integrated Mountain Health Inc.
The donation will support:
-Guidance services and/or prevention of contagion (educational material)
-Purchase of 300 COVID-19 rapid test kits for screening and detection.
-Purchase of medical protective equipment to be used for COVID-19 detection and testing.
Hiring of a clerical employee to attend counseling calls and follow up on pre-existing medical conditions and social needs.
-Purchase of 150 prepaid food cards for patients with immediate food needs.
Med Centro
The donation will support:
Purchase and distribution of non-perishable food to 816 older adults in the municipalities of Ponce, Coamo, Villalba, Peñuelas and Juana Díaz to reduce exposure to COVID-19 infection and alleviate their needs.
-These purchases will be distributed to their homes or health centers as they arise.
Centros Integrados de Servicios de Salud de Lares, Inc.
- Its objective is to reduce exposure to COVID-19 infection in people over 70 years of age, having access to their medications and personal protection products without having to leave their homes and thus alleviating their basic health needs.
Morovis Community Health Center, Inc.
-It is agreed that the money donated is for the purpose of supporting 250 adults over 70 years of age from Morovis, Vega Alta and Toa Baja for a period of four (4) weeks.
-The Center proposes to reduce exposure to COVID-19 infection by alleviating the dietary and protective needs of patients over 70 years of age.
Castañer General Hospital, Inc.
-The purpose is to assist 1,000 adults over 70 years of age from Castañer, Jayuya and Adjuntas.
-The center proposes the distribution of food and agricultural products to reduce exposure to COVID-19 infection and alleviate the nutritional needs of people over 70 years of age.
Three grants were awarded to organizations that provide housing access services
One Stop Career Center
The donation will support:
-Support the Community Housing Recovery Project - Sector Bélgica in Ponce and Guánica Municipality of One Stop Career Center of PR, Inc.
-OSCC will provide information on financial measures to protect the households of people affected by the economic situation - caused by the seismic activity and distancing measures to prevent COVID-19 contagion - and will also provide information on contagion prevention measures to participating families.
-The project will implement the first phase of the Housing Strategy: Evaluation and Counseling and will meet the needs of 150 families, in a maximum period of 8 months.
PathStone Corporation
The donation will support:
-Support PathStone Corporation's «Support a Southern Family» Community Housing Recovery project. PathStone will provide information on financial measures to protect the homes of people affected by the economic situation - caused by the seismic activity and distancing measures to prevent COVID-19 contagion - and will also provide information on contagion prevention measures to participating families.
-The project will implement the first phase of the Housing Strategy: Assessment and Counseling and will address the needs of 150 families in a maximum period of 8 months.
Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services
The donation will support:
-Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. Ponce NHS will provide information on financial measures to protect the homes of people affected by the economic situation - caused by the seismic activity and distancing measures to prevent COVID-19 contagion - and will also provide information on contagion prevention measures to participating families.
-The project will implement the first phase of the Housing Strategy: Evaluation and Counseling and will meet the needs of 150 families, in a maximum period of 8 months.
Access to water
Algarrobo Community Aqueduct
Special Communities Rural Aqueduct Bayamoncito, Inc.
Cuyon Water Services, Inc.
Neighborhood Association of the Sector Los Oquendo Bo. Hato Arriba de San Lorenzo, Inc.
Pellejas Aqueduct, Inc.
Saltos Pellejas Aqueduct, Inc.
Acueducto Sector Pachín, Inc.
Limones Community, Inc.
Tortuguero La Tiza Community Aqueduct, Inc.
El Manantial Rural Aqueduct, Inc.
Corujas Community, Inc.
Acueductos Barrio Guayabota Yabucoa, Inc.
Residents Association of Villas de Oro, Inc.
If you wish to contribute to continue to expand the scope of the strategy Collective response to COVID-19, you can do it:
- Visiting www.fcpr.org. In the menu, press Donate, read the instructions and choose the Community Recovery Fund for Puerto Rico to make your donation.
- Donating through Global Giving: t.ly/7RwXE
- By sending a check to PO BOX 70362, San Juan, PR 00936-8362. Made payable to Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico. Please add the name of the fund, Fondo de Recuperación Comunitaria para Puerto Rico, and the purpose, COVID-19.
Photo: Mika Baumeister on Unsplash