Here's how you can help Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona
Wondering how you can help those dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona? Look to the organizations already working on the ground in the areas affected.
On Tuesday, Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, Woonsocket City Councilwoman Valerie Gonzalez and Central Falls Councilwoman Glendaliz Colón released a list of organizations seeking donations.
"In order to help relief efforts on the ground, we are encouraging contributions to several key organizations in Puerto Rico," the group of elected officials said in a statement. "Resilience and grit are in the DNA of Puerto Ricans. We extend our thoughts and prayers for the recovery of our family and friends on the island and encourage others to do so as well."
Here's how they recommend offering help:
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La Fondita de Jesús
La Fondita de Jesús began taking shape in 1984 when a group of friends began delivering food twice a week to those in need in the Santurce area of San Juan. It was formally founded the following year, eventually offering facilities for the homeless to eat, shower, wash their clothes and get a haircut.
Recent Facebook posts from the organization state it has been mobilizing to donate food, emergency supplies and toiletries to those devastated by Fiona.
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Techos Pa' Mi Gente
Techos Pa' Mi Gente was started in 2017 in the wake of Hurricane Maria, focused primarily on carpentry and other construction work. It later began repairing roofs to make them hurricane resistant. Today, its programs include ceiling evaluation, roof reconstruction, housing rehabilitation and other initiatives.
This nonprofit located in the Puerto Rican city of Trujillo Alto also offers basic construction training so that locals can learn how to guard themselves against natural disasters.
Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico
Based in San Juan, La Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico began its work in 1984. It promotes access to drinking water, renewable energy, education and housing as well as fostering economic development.
A recent web post states that the group has activated its Community Recovery Fund for Puerto Rico "to support the work of non-profit organizations that are activated to respond to the emergency."
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Habitat for Humanity of Puerto Rico
Based in San Juan, this is one of many branches of Habitat for Humanity that exist across the nation and around the world with a focus on shelter. Its Puerto Rico Recovery Program was established in 2018 after hurricanes Irma and Maria, which, according to Habitat for Humanity, "affected or destroyed a total of up to 780,000 homes on the Island."
The organization offers home repairs and rehabilitation, encourages workforce skills development and promotes affordable housing.
Hispanic Federation
Founded in 1990, the New York-headquartered relief organization now has several offices in multiple states, including Rhode Island. It is focused on both long-term recovery and immediate disaster relief. An online information page calling for donations to aid Fiona survivors states the Hispanic Federation "is already on the ground providing emergency-relief services and essential supplies to the communities most affected by the storm."
Earlier this week: Hurricane Fiona makes landfall on Puerto Rico's southwest coast
The nonprofit has an overall 98/100 score on Charity Navigator, a database that scores charities so that donors can make informed choices based on organization transparency, accountability and finances.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Puerto Rico organizations to donate to for Hurricane Fiona relief
