[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he hoard of recent hurricanes has set record-breaking and unprecedented flooding throughout the Caribbean and United States, leaving many small islands utterly devastated. As a community filled with boriquas of the diaspora, LESReady! deeply feels for our family in Puerto Rico. Hurricane Maria brought chaos and devastation to Puerto Rico, which was at one of its weakest states having endured Hurricane Irma just days earlier.  Coupled with Puerto Rico’s long recession, and its debt crisis– we must rise to support Puerto Rico.

LESReady! Is a community-centered disaster response group that focuses on the Lower East Side. When Superstorm Sandy hit NYC nearly five years ago, community members, community-based organizations, block and tenant associations banded together to take care of one another. Recognizing the need for more coordination across our community groups in the case of a future disaster, we formed LESReady! the March following Superstorm Sandy.

We remember the support that came far and wide when we were recovering from Sandy.

We remember how low-income communities of color, and those which lie at the margins of our society, were the ones most disparately impacted.

As a long-term community-based recovery group, we know very well that community-based organizations are the first to respond, and perhaps more significantly, will be the last to leave.

For these reasons, it is time that we rise in solidarity of our siblings in the Caribbean. Below, please find suggested places to donate monetarily, a list of local drop-off sites for goods, information on how LESReady! is mobilizing, and our commitment to provide up to date information on how to contact loved ones in Puerto Rico as that information becomes available.

For more information, contact Resiliency Training & Policy Coordinator, Ceci Pineda ceci@goles.org

In solidarity,
Ayo Harrington and Victoria Hugo
LESReady! Executive Co-Chairs

Financial Donations

LESReady! would like to highlight two organizations that are currently raising monetary donations to to serve those most at the margins:

• The Hispanic Federation
• Dominica American Relief & Development Association (DARDA)
  • Fundraiser for the Dominica American Relief & Development Association (DARDA)
  • Amazon Wishlist for Dominica – Managed by DARDA

Hurricane Relief Collection Drives

LES-WIDE COLLECTION DRIVE

LESReady! is closely monitoring immediate supply needs and assessing shipping logistics to establish an LES-wide collection drive for Puerto Rico and other hurricane-impacted areas if logistics allow. If you are interested in being listed as a drop-off location, please fill out your information here.

LES DROP-OFF SITES FOR PUERTO RICO:

We would like to also highlight on the ground efforts from fellow community members of the Lower East Side that are currently accepting supply donations in the Lower East Side for families in Puerto Rico:

• Smith Houses Tenant Association
  (Baseball Field – Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place between South Street & Pearl Street)
  Saturday, September 30 (12P – 8P)
  Selling food to raise donation funds
  Accepting packaged goods / supplies
• Good Record
  218 E 5th Street
  Monday – Friday (12P-8P)
  Saturday – Sunday (12P-7P)
  For information on contact https://www.sociedad.life/papuertorico
• WhyNotCare & Iglesia Evangelica Bautista
  Calle 8 Church
  393 E 8th Street
  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (4:30P – 8:30P)
  Collecting: Toiletries, Diapers, new or clean blankets, water, batteries, dry food, etc.
  For more information, contact: 646.783.8123
  IEBCALLE8@gmail.com
  Lilah@whynotcaremore.org
  Whynotcarenyc@gmail.com
• Engine 28 / Ladder 11
  222 East 2nd St (Between B & C)
  Monday – Friday (7AM – 9PM)
  Collecting: Diapers, baby food, batteries, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products
  Organized by NYC Mayor’s Office
• Lady Tigers Youth Softball Team
  428 E 10th Street
  Monday – Thursday (6P-9P)
  Collecting: Water, non-perishables, toiletries, diapers, and clothing
• Loisaida via Eco-Kit Duffle
  • How it works: visit https://www.ecokitduffle.org/
  • Place an order for items on the ‘NEEDS LIST’page. Ship items to our pick up center:
    Eco-Kits Duffle Help
    Loisaida Center
    710 East 9th Street
    New York, NY 10009​
  • Sorted items are immediately given to Eco-Kits volunteer travelers.
  • Eco-kits get picked up at airports in Puerto Rico by contacted community coordinators and delivered to grass-roots organizations. (Full list on webpage)

NYC Drop-Off Sites for Barbuda:

The New York City Consulate of Antigua and Barbuda is currently collecting donations at sites through all boroughs for Barbuda. For more information on the priority items being collected and drop-off sites, visit https://www.abconsulate.nyc/goods

Contacting Loved Ones In Puerto Rico:

We are connected to La Red De Apoyo Mutuo a Puerto Rico, a network of individuals and groups throughout the United States that are working on compiling on the ground information. We have expressed the need echoed from fellow community members for information on how to contact loved ones.  As we attain more information, we will keep people aware of information on how to contact loved ones as that information emerges.

Puerto Rico Emergency Operation Centers:

For a directory of emergency operation centers in Puerto Rico (in Spanish), please click:  http://prfaa.pr.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Oficinas-Regionales.pdf

We remember. We rise. We Resist.