NEWS

Local groups receive grants to aid hurricane recovery

Staff Writer
Leominster Champion

BOSTON — They build sustainable solar power systems in rural sections of Puerto Rico. They invest in entrepreneurs and microenterprises in communities in cities and towns across the island. They ensure displaced families have continued access to housing and health care.

And they are among 29 organizations in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico receiving a total of $951,300 in grants from Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico/Massachusetts Unido por Puerto Rico. With these grants, Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico has distributed nearly $2.1 million in relief, recovery and relocation support since Hurricane Maria swept through the island, over half of the nearly $4 million raised thus far in the fundraising campaign.

“The work going on here in Massachusetts and on the island of Puerto Rico is remarkable and heroic,” said Aixa Beauchamp, co-chair of the Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico advisory committee. “It is also not nearly enough. While we continue our efforts to support recovery on the island, we call on government to step up and belatedly live up to its promise to care for American citizens on an island still vulnerable to future storms.”

The fund made 13 grants totally $450,800 to organizations on the island of Puerto Rico that are focused on grassroots efforts to establish a more resilient, sustainable infrastructure and/or create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico also made more than $500,000 in grants to 16 organizations in Massachusetts that are working to assist thousands of people from Puerto Rico living in uncertainty as they seek to rebuild their lives. Housing concerns continue to top the list of worries for evacuees, with the greatest support needs found in Hampden County and Central Massachusetts.

As a result, the advisory committee has directed more than half of the grant dollars in this round of relocation grants to Springfield- and Holyoke-based organizations, with about half of the remaining funds earmarked for programs in Worcester, Leominster and Fitchburg.

“We have heard throughout the months since Maria evacuees began arriving in Massachusetts that Springfield and Holyoke would be under the most strain — so we continue to target support there, even as we recognize that agencies from Boston to the Berkshires and Fitchburg to Fall River are serving those in need,” said Vanessa Calderon-Rosado, co-chair of the Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico advisory committee.

Local relocation grantees include:

• Centro Las Americas (Fitchburg/Leominster) — $33,000 to support continuing efforts to provide resources and ensure the housing, English language, job training and school enrollment needs of more than 300 evacuees are met.

• Spanish American Center (Leominster) — $26,000 to support the Bienvenidos Partnership, working with the Montachusett Opportunity Council through the Fitchburg Family Resource Center to secure housing for evacuees. Funds will support welcome programs for families, case management and expanded ESL programming.

• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Worcester — $25,000 to provide Welcome Home Kits including items such as bedding, cooking, kitchen and bathroom items to displaced Puerto Rican families who have secured new housing.

Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico was established as a partnership of the Boston Foundation and the Latino Legacy Fund. To learn more and for the latest information about Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico/Massachusetts Unido por Puerto Rico, visit www.tbf.org/puertorico.