Puerto Rico Strong

In response to Hurricane Maria's devastation in 2017, the Hispanic Latino Leadership Network (HLLN, one of nine national Employee Resource Groups) launched a campaign to support the two YMCAs, which raised more than $700,000 and provided emergency relief and services to the community).

Based on this positive experience, the YMCAs of Ponce and San Juan, in partnership with HLLN, Y-USA and YMCAs from the mainland, launched the Puerto Rico Coalition of YMCAs in 2019. This network strives to strengthen the ties between the YMCAs on the island with our national YMCA movement, provide opportunities for staff and volunteers to learn from each other, and work together to create better global communities for all.

Thanks to support raised through the Puerto Rico Strong Campaign, the YMCAs of San Juan and Ponce have provided summer camp scholarships to underserved youth, increased staff training, and made infrastructure repairs after frequent natural disasters.

Please consider supporting the work of the YMCAs of Ponce and San Juan through the YMCA World Service Campaign.

The YMCAs of San Juan and Ponce serve more than 5,000 people every year, with a focus on children and the elderly. Thanks to the Y, children and teens develop essential life skills through camp, sports, swim lessons and recreation. In addition, preschoolers thrive in the Y educational centers while their parents advance their education or work. Older adults access high-quality health and wellness programs while they develop relationships that also contribute to their wellness.

Read more about YMCA World Service.