La Casa de Don Pedro, a community-based social services organization based in Newark, NJ, will receive a $70,000 grant from United Airlines to provide emergency assistance and connect recent arrivals with job opportunities to help sustain their households in the area in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
”United Airlines is committed to lifting up communities impacted by disaster, and we are proud to partner with La Casa to help connect families with the critical resources they need to recover from Hurricanes Irma and Maria,” said Sharon Grant, United Airlines Vice President of Community Affairs.
Through United’s support, La Casa de Don Pedro will be able to provide more Puerto Rican families who seek assistance with individualized action plans. These families will gain access to a variety of benefits, such as referrals for temporary lodging and more permanent homes, rental security deposits, school registration, medical assistance, nutrition assistance, FEMA enrollment, English language training and job preparation referrals. La Casa de Don Pedro projects it will work with approximately 80 households, expanding its current program that has already impacted 15 families.
“We thank United Airlines for their pledge to support Puerto Rican recent arrivals to our community. Each day we receive numerous calls and visits – from Puerto Rican families already here in Newark and from Newarkers awaiting the arrival of their relatives. La Casa is thrilled to be able to continue its efforts to welcome new families and provide them with the support they need,” said Raymond Ocasio, La Casa de Don Pedro’s Executive Director.
“To the Puerto Rican citizens arriving here, the City of Newark says, ‘Bienvenido a casa!”, said Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “Since the hurricane disaster struck Puerto Rico several months ago, the City of Newark has been on the forefront of relief efforts, working closely with our community and corporate partners such as United Airlines and La Casa de Don Pedro, and even sending our first responders to assist personnel on the ground. We are sure that the new arrivals will find our City a great place to call home.”
Since Hurricane Maria and Irma impacted Puerto Rico last September and October respectively, United has provided over $2.4 million in in-kind evacuee travel and shipments of relief supplies, as well as more than $2.8 million in cash donations from employees, customers and corporate match fund, including more than a quarter of a million dollars in support to Newark’s community. While the hurricanes passed through more than two months ago, much of the island and its infrastructure remains largely in need. United and La Casa de Don Pedro are continuing to work to lift Puerto Ricans whose home is still crippled from the effects of both hurricanes. Many of those families are living in New Jersey, home to the third-largest Puerto Rican population in the country, following Florida and New York.
If you or someone you know is a recent arrival from Puerto Rico who is in need of assistance, please contact La Casa de Don Pedro at 973.624.4222.
