Newark Nonprofit, Latino Lawmakers Set Up Hurricane Relief Fund

NEWARK, NJ — “We stand together with the people of Puerto Rico and the people of the Dominican Republic.” That was the message from one Newark council members, which was shared by several other local lawmakers and a nonprofit as they push for donations to aid storm-besieged victims of Hurricane Fiona.

The fund – created by La Casa de Don Pedro in Newark – has gained the support of Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz and Newark City Council members Anibal Ramos Jr., Luis Quintana and Carlos Gonzalez. The lawmakers said they have been in contact with Puerto Rico State Representative Eddie Charbonier Chinea to coordinate relief efforts.

After meeting with elected officials and representatives from several community-based organizations in Puerto Rico, the collective decision was made not to collect donations of supplies due to logistical issues faced during Hurricane Maria in 2017. Additionally, directing funds to a central relief fund will expedite getting funds on the ground, organizers said.

La Casa de Don Pedro has established a separate account to electronically transfer funds directly to non-governmental organization accounts on a weekly basis. The first recipient will be Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services, which will be purchasing generators, gasoline and supplies to several towns and villages that have been completely isolated by flooding. Local leaders will work with La Casa de Don Pedro to identify similar agencies in other parts of Puerto Rico and in the Dominican Republic.

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“We stand together with the people of Puerto Rico and the people of the Dominican Republic during these devastating times,” said Quintana, who donated $1,000 to the fund.

“The people of Puerto Rico are once again facing devastation brought on by this hurricane and we want to help them as quickly as possible,” agreed Ramos, who also committed $1,000 to the fund.

“Through La Casa de Don Pedro’s relief fund, we will raise money that will directly support community-based groups in the affected areas,” Ramos said.

Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico on Sept. 18 with winds of 85 miles per hour. The storm dumped six to 20 inches of rain across the island, causing widespread flooding and knocking out power. Nearly 85 percent of the island is without electricity.

The hurricane made second landfall on Monday in the Dominican Republic, causing further damage.

The storm struck nearly five years after Hurricane Maria delivered a blow to Puerto Rico, causing widespread devastation and blackouts that lasted for months. Nearly 3,000 residents of Puerto Rico were killed.

“New Jersey has a strong connection with Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. When they are in need, we rise up to help,” Ruiz said. “But in this storm's aftermath, the U.S. government must hold the utility providers accountable for spending billions of dollars to rebuild an electrical grid that remains in a constant state of crisis.”

Peter Rosario, president and CEO of La Casa de Don Pedro, said the nonprofit established a relief fund within 48 hours of the hurricane striking Puerto Rico. The funds raised will directly support emergency assistance groups assisting the affected areas, he added.

“Hurricane Fiona devastated an island that was still suffering from Hurricane Maria five years ago,” Rosario said. “They need our help and we are more mobilizing to do what we can to help our brothers and sisters not only in Puerto Rico, but in the Dominican Republic as well.”

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