PDF version of the press release
San Juan, Puerto Rico, April 16, 2020 | Amgen Foundation joins the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (FCPR), to other donors such as The Chicago Community Trust, Central Florida Foundation y The Prospect Hill Foundation, as well as to individuals who have joined through Global Giving, to promote and strengthen the FCPR's community strategy: Collective response to COVID-19.
The strategy is based on preventing and containing COVID-19 in several towns on the island through community health clinics (330 Centers) and community-based organizations that are serving the elderly population. These organizations are providing education and supplying materials for the prevention and containment of the coronavirus. In addition, they are conducting clinical trials, providing support with food purchases, and cultivating community organization to keep this population healthy.
“In order for the Community Foundation to support communities, it needs two key partners: the organizations in the community, ready and willing to give their best, and donors who believe in the work of the FCPR to execute effective strategies with these community partners,” said Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats, executive president of the FCPR.
The FCPR Board of Directors approved an initial allocation of $223,000 to advance the strategy that has so far enabled it to award $174,647.10 in grants to eight nonprofit organizations (six clinics and two community-based organizations) to execute their coronavirus prevention and containment strategies. To identify the nonprofits, FCPR issued an invitation-only solicitation to entities that had already collaborated with FCPR in past emergencies and that could execute a community-based program focused on the elderly population. With the contribution of $350,000 of Amgen Foundation, $55,000 from other donors strengthens the program to reach $625,000, which gives FCPR the potential to add organizations to work with more communities throughout the island.
“Amgen Foundation has further increased its commitment to our communities in Puerto Rico as we experience the COVID-19 global health emergency. We reaffirm our commitment to support community-based organizations that provide assistance to the most vulnerable and needy communities in times of emergency such as the one we are currently experiencing. With our support we seek to mitigate the social and economic impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our communities,” said Aixa Caballer, Amgen Foundation Leader in Puerto Rico and Senior Manager of Corporate Affairs for Amgen in Puerto Rico.
The first grant awarded under this strategy was to VAMOS Concertación Ciudadana Inc., to work on an education, prevention and containment program in three communities in Guánica (Arenas, La Laguna and La Luna), which, having been the epicenter of the recent earthquakes and still living this reality on a daily basis, are among the most vulnerable populations on the island. Their intervention includes: visiting each home to provide access to protective supplies such as gloves, masks and disinfectants; executing a screening protocol that includes referrals for COVID-19 testing through a community nurse and a local doctor; and activating a loudspeaker system for those who do not have access to electronic media, as well as a system of youth volunteers to do shopping and other “errands” for this elderly population. “This project is part of the development of community plans for emergency management and aims to achieve zero deaths of the elderly due to coronavirus in the communities served. In addition, this initiative becomes a model for other communities in Puerto Rico, and we are available to assist them in their development,” said Justo Méndez Arámburu, general coordinator of VAMOS Puerto Rico.
In addition, the Community Foundation granted donations to the El Otoao Primary Health Services and Socioeconomic Development Corporation (COSSAO) and the following community health clinics, better known as 330 Centers: Loíza Integrated Health Council, Inc..; PryMed Medical Care, Inc..; Migrant Health Center, Western Region Inc.; Patillas Primary Health Services Center, Inc..; y Advanced Healthcare and Medical Services Corporation, Inc.. (COSSMA), benefiting approximately 14 communities in 10 municipalities. An estimated 7,781 people will receive the services being offered.
These clinics will reinforce their team in charge of monitoring and caring for the health of older adults; implement preventive measures; gain access to COVID-19 tests; purchase and deliver medicines and food to prevent exposure and maintain a good diet; purchase medical equipment; and make referrals to other clinics or health institutions.
“Community contagion requires a community response. The government, municipalities, the commercial and financial sector, and individuals are doing their part, but missing from that equation is the community organization that provides support to the most vulnerable. With this in mind, the Puerto Rico Community Foundation activated a response to support community health clinics and grassroots organizations that are making efforts to prevent and contain the coronavirus, particularly among that population of older adults,” Colón Tarrats added.
The initiative also has a number of allies such as the Primary Health Association of Puerto Rico (ASPPR), the Coalition of Wisdom on COVID19 in Puerto Rico (COSACO), and others.
We invite you to be part of the collective response to COVID-19, by donating to the Puerto Rico Community Recovery Fund at www.fcpr.org. In the menu, click on Donate, read the instructions and choose the fund mentioned above to make your donation. You can also donate through Global Giving: Zero Deaths... A Collective Response to COVID-19.
About the Puerto Rico Community Foundation |A nonprofit entity that for 34 years has advised individuals, families, corporations and foundations on and off the island on how to channel their philanthropic concerns. The advisory seeks to ensure that donors' contributions have an impact on the self-development of Puerto Ricans. In addition, FCPR's strategic plan promotes equitable and sustainable access to clean water, renewable energy, housing, economic development and education. The FCPR is the first foundation of its kind in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and today the only one in Puerto Rico.
About Amgen Foundation
The Amgen Foundation aims to promote excellence in science education and inspire the development of a new generation of innovators, as well as to invest in strengthening the communities where Amgen employees work and live. The Foundation has donated over $250 million to local, regional and international nonprofit organizations. The Amgen Foundation brings the excitement of discovery to tomorrow's scientists through proprietary programs such as Amgen Scholars, Amgen Biotech Experience and Amgen Teach. For more information about the Amgen Foundation and its programs, visit. https://www.amgeninspires.com/ or follow them on Twitter at @AmgenFoundation.