The Korean Foundation of Puerto Rico joined the island-wide efforts to help with the devastation caused by Hurricane Fiona in September 2022. We traveled south of the island, the hardest hit part of Puerto Rico aiming to support the more vulnerable: we met a single mom with 3 children, two of them diabetic, who has lost her house and is being moved to a public housing facility but was in need of mattresses and blankets. Another family was in need of support to be able to give a proper funeral to the grandmother who died during the storm As a grass-roots organization we were able to offer quick -response support to these families until other relief systems are put in place.

The Korean Foundation of Puerto Rico continues to support families and individuals affected by Tropical Storm Fiona. We are building and fixing roofs, offering basic necessities and other support necessary.

Ian is a wonderful 16-year-old Puerto Rican boy who was born with Cerebral Palsy. Despite his significant life challenges, Ian is an athlete and has embraced Prone paddleboarding and surfing. Challenging himself at competitive levels has helped him grow physically and mentally. His dream is to represent Puerto Rico at the upcoming Paralympic games in surfing.

KFPR has organized the delivery of over 200 bags containing essential necessities (rice, canned food, sweets, toilet paper, masks, and hand sanitizer) to Puerto Ricans who have fallen on very hard times due to the COVID-19 lockdowns.

As a continuation of our support to a few families with disabled children affected by the earthquakes, a number of volunteers traveled on June 20 to visit Cassandra in her new home. Cassandra is wonderful 20 year lady who was born with hydrocephalus and is wheelchair bound. When we first met her and her mother in March, she was living in her earthquake refugee center and her wheelchair was not working. It was heartwarming to see Cassandra now living in a proper home with her parents. Thanks to our help, they were able to repair the electric wheelchair. Seeing Cassandra’s smile was incredibly rewarding. We will continue to be involved with her and her family and hope we can help her go back to college.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, homeless people were particularly affected as they lost access to their usual places for services. In May, KFPR teamed up with Mar Azul, a church organization, to prepare more than 200 meal boxes which we then distributed to homeless people on the streets of San Juan. KFPR also raised financial support for future action.

KFPR volunteers spent Mother’s Day to preparing 500 meals which were donated and distributed to 500 vulnerable elderly in 4 communities: Payita in Santurce, Buena Vista in Hato Rey, and Buen Consejo and Hill Brothers Sur in Rio Pedras.

In the wake of the earthquakes that hit Puerto Rico in 2020 the KFPR stepped in to help families who faced particularly tragic circumstances having lost access to their home while having to take care of children with disabilities.

The Korean Foundation of Puerto Rico organized a group of volunteers to help clean up land in Rio Grande that was donated to Centro Maria de Los Angeles. The land will be the site of summer camp for children with disabilities. The Foundation also raised $2500 for Centro Maria de Los Angeles.

On June 12, 2019, a team of dentists from the Atlanta Korean Association and Church, arrived in Puerto Rico to provide free dental exams to the local community of Puerto Ricans who don’t have insurance plans. They were part of a 30+ person team that spent a week in Lares providing free medical, dental and construction help to those in the area. The event took place at the offices of Dr. Wanda Ortiz at the Popular Center in Hato Rey. Dr. Ortiz donated her facilities, staff and time to support the event and we thank her and her staff for being such generous hosts!