Current Programs / February 2018 - August 2019
Hurricane Maria is regarded as the worst natural disaster on record for Puerto Rico. The tenth-most intense Atlantic hurricane on record and the most intense tropical cyclone worldwide of 2017. The storm caused widespread devastation to homes, businesses, and livelihoods, exacerbating an already tenuous economic situation on the island.
In early February 2018, 4 months after Maria, many homes were still without power, water, and suffered structural damage. We spent a week on the island connecting with locals, partners, FEMA, and others to spearhead a first-ever Project for the organization outside the continental United States.
NECHAMA focused on returning homes to shelterable states with a focus on roof repairs and other minor fixes, so families can be safer during future storms.
We met many extraordinary people in the 18 months we spent in Puerto Rico. Among them, Sol and her son Angel stand out for their openness and willingness to share... Read More
On August 17th of this year, we will be closing an unforgettable journey we started 18 months ago. In February of 2018, NECHAMA’s Operations Director, Dorothy Maples and I boarded... Read More
Today is our last day with Cohort 5! This group of CUNY Service Corps volunteers has been engaging, inspiring, and hilarious. In the past two weeks, our teams have bonded... Read More
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