Renewing Vibrant Communities

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

📍LOÍZA, PUERTO RICO

During 2022, ConPRmetidos supported Piñones Aprende y Emprende’s Education Program. PAYE’s mission is to build an educational community through tutoring, workshops, and experiences that develop the identity and citizenship skills of children and youth in Puerto Rico, in a fun, loving, respectful, and fair environment. 

For 2023, we are supporting their Community Program, which will offer workshops on conversational English, art, and literacy, among other topics requested by community members.

INCREASING DIGITAL LITERACY AMONG ADULTS AND THE ELDERLY

📍TOA BAJA, PUERTO RICO

Conocimiento Digital En Tus Manos, Inc. (CODEM) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to close the gap between the virtual world and elders from disadvantaged communities in Puerto Rico. Their services include educational workshops, individual assistance, and free digital equipment. CODEM offers courses made up of 9 workshops where students learn to: (1) Navigate their phones and the internet; (2) Save contacts; (3) Make calls and send text messages; (4) Use the camera; (5) Download applications; (6) Use Google Maps, WhatsApp, Zoom, and Gmail. Advanced courses include using social media and government platforms. With our grant, CODEM will prepare, edit and publish digital education manuals, and expand its workshops to more communities on the island.

RECONSTRUCTION OF HOMES & ROOFS IN SAN JUAN

📍CAÑO MARTÍN PEÑA, SAN JUAN

Approximately 70% of the communities surrounding  Caño Martín Peña were flooded with wastewater. Many homes suffered severe damage which included partial or total loss of roofs and basic safety elements like windows and doors. The 8 communities of the Caño Martín Peña have a long history of poverty, overcrowding, unsafe living conditions, exposure to significant environmental and health hazards, marginalization, social invisibility, and governmental neglect. We provided Grupo de las Ocho Comunidades Aledañas al Caño Martín Peña, Inc. with the funding needed to repair and rebuild roofs, windows, walls, floors, and steps for nineteen (19) families.

SUPPORTING WOMEN LEADERS BUILDING LOCAL CAPACITY

📍MARICAO, PUERTO RICO

Lack of employment and income-generation opportunities are some of the most critical problems in municipalities like Maricao, where growing economic uncertainty has accelerated the depopulation of the municipality. This translates to a loss of almost 10% of its residents from 2010 to 2017. The decrease in population has had a negative impact on student enrollment, forcing the closing of one of the historically largest public schools in the municipality. In response to this issue, Fundación Bucarabón, legally reclaimed and renovated the school as a first step towards developing an incubator for entrepreneurs in the area. ConPRmetidos financed the rehabilitation of the facilities with a grant of $31,475.

WORKING ON THE RESILIENCY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF VIEQUES

📍VIEQUES & CULEBRA, PUERTO RICO

The Vieques Conservation & Historical Trust (VCHT) is involved in scientific and technical work supporting the conservation of the Puerto Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay. The Instituto Tecnológico de Vieques (ITEC) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to develop better-paying job opportunities in Vieques and Culebra so that their local residents do not have to migrate elsewhere to earn a fair wage and have job security. 

In 2023, ConPRmetidos and VCHT will work on an initiative that seeks to provide skills and encourage resilience in Vieques’ communities. This is an educational project which includes trainings offered at local schools and through community meetings, in addition to the distribution of educational material designed for different age groups. VCHT will also help ITEC obtain their 501(c)(3) and the 1101.01 exemptions and strengthen their capacity to manage grants and funds.is a

RECONSTRUCTION OF HOMES & ROOFS IN TOA BAJA

📍VILLAS DEL SOL, TOA BAJA

Toa Baja — in Puerto Rico’s low-lying north-central coast — was one of the hardest areas hit by Hurricane Maria. Before the storm, most of the households in the community had wood and zinc roofs, constructed informally, and with little ability to withstand a hurricane or storm.

ConPRmetidos’ $318,000 grant to nonprofit Sol es Vida financed the installation of hurricane-resistant roofs or homes of fourteen (14) local families. With the help of certified architects and contractors, the project focused on rebuilding and installing proper roofs. The hired contractor for the project was from the Villas del Sol community.

Using visitors economy to develop sustainable communities

📍PUNTA SANTIAGO, HUMACAO

The Bottom Up Destination Recovery Initiative is an economic recovery strategy with a sustainable model for long-term development. It was designed by Foundation for Puerto Rico (FPR) to support communities on the island by helping them become more resilient while activating local resources for the creation of new tourism attractions and experiences. This community-based recovery program aims to build local infrastructures required for growth. The goal is to help communities recover quickly by creating a Community Destination Economic Development Plan that increases local tourism offerings and the average length of stay for visitors.

REVITALIZING TWO LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS

📍CATAÑO, PUETO RICO

In March of 2018, we partnered with a group of public education leaders from the mainland, captained by former U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, to answer the call of two public schools in Cataño needing some help to get back on their feet. These two schools were recognized due to: (1) the extent of hurricane-caused damages, (2) the high percentage of their student body living below the poverty line, and (3) their demonstrated efforts to physically and emotionally rebuild their community. Our support included the provision of grants to pay for:

• Pest control and termite extermination services;

• Replacement of damaged ceiling panels;

• Refurbishment of common areas; and

• Replacement of damaged and unsafe school furniture in an elementary classroom.

Together with school supplies retailer Yoobi, we donated school materials to 700 students and collaborated with Walmart of Puerto Rico to provide two new playground sets for the schools.