VINELAND – Ralph Padilla, CEO of Puerto Rico Action Committee of Southern New Jersey (PRAC), announced that PRAC is continuing short-term relief efforts for Puerto Rico, along with the plans of expanded operations to assist displaced residents who are now or will be residing in the region because of Hurricane Maria.
“Our agency has been in constant communication with local, state and Puerto Rican governmental officials as we embark on a long protracted period to help our fellow Americans that are our family and friends in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,” stated Padilla in a release. “We are launching a multi-pronged approach in addressing the needs of our fellow Americans in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.”
PRAC is establishing the Puerto Rico Family Support Network Service Initiative. This initiative will holistically address the long-term needs of displaced residents of Puerto Rico, as well as families of those who are still in the Commonwealth.
The initiative will serve as a “one-stop” hub that works collectively with other social service, business, and governmental agencies to aid family members in Southern New Jersey with re-unification efforts. Additionally, the initiative will assist in the facilitation of travel plans to and from Puerto Rico.
PRAC will also be assisting local and state leaders in developing a long-term plan to address the anticipated surge in migration to the United States, specifically in the New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia Metropolitan area. The long-term plan will provide support to school districts, social service providers, housing agencies, healthcare and mental health providers, and employment agencies and businesses.
“We have a wonderful community that is filled with compassion and courage,” said Padilla. “In working with our area’s leadership, this plan will seek to equip our partner agencies with a set of skills and another resource in addressing the needs of those affected by Hurricane Maria. PRAC wants to partner and strengthen the on-going activities of the social service providers.”
In the meantime, PRAC has designated unidosporpuertorico.com as their relief agency partner and donations are being directed to them to aid in immediate needs. The initiative will work with community partners for ongoing fundraising for the relief efforts.
PRAC is also a drop off location for goods and supplies that will be earmarked to be sent via cargo containers to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico via channels of non-profit, faith-based or governmental agencies coordinating the distribution of goods and supplies.
“For all this to work, we need a sustainable source of revenue to not only rebuild Puerto Rico, but to help rebuild the lives of those affected,” said Padilla. “Over the years, the State of New Jersey has cut our funding, along with our sister organizations in the Hispanic Community. Now, we need the State to restore funding to help us help them in helping our fellow Americans.
“In addition to governmental support, we continue to encourage the Hispanic community, as well as the community at-large, to partner with us in these new endeavors of compassion,” Padilla continued.
PRAC is a Hispanic-based social service agency that has been providing support services to the Hispanic community since 1971. PRAC which has offices in Vineland, Woodbine and Penns Grove, provides services throughout Southern New Jersey to include Salem, Gloucester, Cumberland, Cape May and Atlantic counties.
For more information about the agency or to partner, please visit: www.pracnj.com, or call 856-213-6693 or 856-299-5800.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
