Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico: One Year Later

“Together we sent an important message to the people of Puerto Rico that we are here to help, for as long as they need it,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh, recognizing the remarkable success of Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico. Pointing out that Boston has a large and vibrant Puerto Rican community of more than 32,000 residents, he added, “The people of Puerto Rico know they will always have a friend in Boston.”

The Mayor spoke at a special event on September 12th hosted by the Boston Foundation and the Latino Legacy Society and attended by donors and grantees of Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico (MUPR) to celebrate its remarkable success. Launched just eight days after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, the crucial fund has raised close to $4 million for the relief and recovery of Puerto Rico and the support of Puerto Ricans arriving in the Commonwealth as a result of the destruction left in the wake of the hurricane.

The Fund was created by Mayor Walsh, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and the Boston Foundation in partnership with the Latino Legacy Fund and civic leaders from Boston’s Puerto Rican community.

Through the recovery phase, MUPR has given significant support to innovative projects involving economic empowerment, sustainable agriculture and green and solar initiatives. It also has assisted Puerto Rican evacuees by supporting Latino-led nonprofits that provide direct services to the evacuee community, with a focus on mitigating the housing crisis faced by evacuees.

Puerto Rico Still Needs Us

“The need for assistance remains very high,” said Juan Carlos Morales at the event. Morales co-chairs the MUPR with Aixa Beauchamp and Vanessa Calderón-Rosado. All gifts to the fund support a highly vetted portfolio of nonprofits assisting with disaster relief efforts.

You can support current grant making with gifts by check or credit card. For more information please visit tbf.org/puertorico or reach out to Evelyn Barahona at 617-338-4396.