07/30/2025
Special message on behalf of this years LPI class “El Grito de Philly”,
On behalf of the Latino Partnership Institute (LPI) and our entire leadership cohort, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our mission to transform an abandoned school in Maunabo, Puerto Rico into a safe and welcoming shelter for women and children.
Whether you volunteered your time, sponsored our work, made a donation, or simply offered encouragement—your support made this life-changing initiative possible. Together, we are not only building infrastructure but restoring dignity, safety, and community in places that need it most.
We’re excited to share a day-by-day recap of our immersive journey across southeastern Puerto Rico:
Day One: Maunabo
“It takes many people to heal one person.” – Pastor Gerardo Laboy
We worked side by side with the resilient community of Maunabo to begin transforming a long-abandoned school into a shelter for women and children, and a resource center for community healing. The site will offer support to individuals and families navigating trauma and rebuilding their lives.
Day Two: Maunabo
We distributed bookbags and reading materials to local youth, affirming the importance of education and hope. We also held listening sessions with community leaders to understand the ongoing challenges—and how government and nonprofit responses have fallen short or succeeded.
Day Three: Patillas
Led by Adamary and Maribel, we toured GUPE, a remarkable organization housed in yet another repurposed school, now a thriving community center serving a primarily senior population. The center includes a laundry space, computer lab, thrift store, garden, hall space, and a disaster retreat area. It operates Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, fully powered by volunteers.
Day Four: Guayama
Cristina and Michelle guided us through the rich ecological and historical layers of Guayama. At Paseo La BahĂa, we explored the crucial role of mangroves in shoreline protection and witnessed the historical remnants of the sugarcane industry, which shaped the local economy and infrastructure.
Day Five: Arroyo
Tyler and Maria led a deep dive into Arroyo’s cultural and historical significance. We met Mayor Eric Bachier Román, who welcomed us warmly. We learned that André-Marie Ampère, the inventor of the telegraph, sent the first telegram from Arroyo. At the local art gallery, we encountered a striking exhibit by a mother-son duo, Carmen Vazquez and Kevin Alexander, whose art bridges the island’s rich history and bright future through bold, expressive works with distinguishable strokes.
Day Six: Yabucoa
Cidni and Mari centered the day around leadership, resilience, and economic development. Yabucoa, the first town hit by Hurricane Maria, has made remarkable progress in recovery and rebuilding. We heard from the Mayor, who shared how the disaster unexpectedly unified the community. Today, restored beaches and infrastructure investments reflect the town’s strong recovery and responsive leadership.
Day Seven: Salinas
Tiffany and Chantel wrapped up the journey with a powerful day focused on heritage and environmental stewardship. We visited Hacienda Los Maldonado, a space that honors the intertwined histories of the TaĂno, African, Spanish conquistadors, and jĂbaro. The hacienda also houses the largest pilĂłn on record, serving as a symbol of cultural pride and unity.
Because of you, this journey was not just about physical restoration, but also about reconnecting with history, lifting up community voices, and planting seeds for a brighter future.
We look forward to continuing this work—together.
For more pictures and videos go here https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/mobile/folders/1ucwopMuWQmm0fmu6ImDKrbqUjogc5EWm?usp=sharing.
With gratitude,
El Grito de Phillyrs
