PUERTO RICO HURRICANE RECOVERY UPDATE AUGUST 2019
TOTAL PROGRAM IMPACT
7,398 2,882
LIVES IMPACTED VOLUNTEERS
30,983
VOLUNTEER DAYS
1,405
JOBS COMPLETED
Current Activities As we continue our relief efforts in Yabucoa and push through these summer rains we have officially passed 120,00 volunteer hours!! We continue to repair and seal roofs, install exterior doors and windows, and are in the midst of our most challenging metal roof yet! Within the world of community projects, we have also begun work on the Mendez Baseball Field and started installation of windows at Teodoro Aguilar Mora High School.
Volunteer Voices “This was a life changing and eye opening experience. The people I've met here have given me hope in a better future, they've showed me that there are good people in the world you care for their brothers and sisters regardless of their race, religion, and sexuality. From dancing and teaching salsa and bachata, to having conversations with the homeowner of the house I worked on (who is now my honorary mom), to playing and cuddling with Meatball [the neighborhood dog]. There has not been a day here in Yabucoa that I haven't felt joy and comfort.” “I really enjoyed my time here at All Hands. They [the staff] let us know why we took certain steps and why it was important to do them correctly. I appreciate the transparency of where every dollar goes when it comes to fundraising. I also admired how close the organization was to the community and how it was able to adapt the the needs of the residents here in Yabucoa.”
Learn about our programs at
allhandsandhearts.org
Disaster Profile On September 20th, 2017 Hurricane Maria’s 155 mph winds plowed through the island of Puerto Rico, resulting in one of the worst natural disasters in the island’s history. Hurricane Maria first made landfall over the municipality of Yabucoa, affecting the 37,000 residents who call it home. This area bore the strongest brunt of the storm, where hundreds of homes are still today in need of basic roof repairs and where we continue to focus our efforts.
Our Work Thanks to critical support from partners, like Medtronic and The Giustra Foundation, donors, local community and volunteers from around the world, we have run an impactful program since January 2018. Our work in Yabucoa includes mucking and gutting, mold sanitation, roof repair and critical home repairs. We are also focusing on community spaces in need of clean up/repair and will be alongside the community on the long road to recovery.
About All Hands and Hearts We effectively and efficiently address the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters. We communicate directly with local leaders and community members and then deploy our unique model of engaging volunteers to enable direct impact, helping to build safer, more resilient schools, homes and infrastructure. We have been awarded a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator five years in a row, placing us in the top 10% of all non-profits evaluated for financial and operational efficiency. Pictured at right: (Top) Volunteer creates a drain on the edge of a roof to help water not pool in one place. (Middle) Volunteers work closely to improve the community by restoring a local bridge.
Our Partners in Puerto Rico
info@allhandsandhearts.org (508) 758-8211