NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Acacia
Network today issued the following statement reflecting on
Hurricane María:
One year ago this day, we discovered the best in us. We
discovered solidarity, courage, love, commitment, and thousands of
unsung heroes willing to give it all for Puerto Rico. Today, Acacia Network chooses to
remember this, notwithstanding the immeasurable sense of loss and
mourning we are also bound to experience.
Not 24 hours after Hurricane María had brought destruction and
tragedy to our beloved Island, we at Acacia were ready to lend a
hand, and had identified a formidable group of people both in the
diaspora and on the Island who would end up forming the core of an
uncompromising army of love, hope, and relief. We were one among
many others, and that always gave us an immense of community at a
time we most needed it. A year ago, Acacia decided to work with
organizations and people that had a proven record of commitment,
transparency, accountability, and care with their communities.
Folks that today are not defined by the hurricane; people and
organizations that were and will always be deeply committed to
Puerto Rico.
When our crew in Puerto Rico
first made it to Utuado, a forgotten town in the mountains, they
delivered canned food and other supplies. When they thought their
work there was done and they were ready to go back home to
San Juan, an elderly woman yelled
from afar: "no se vayan sin comer", "don't leave without eating".
She had just cooked the jamonilla with rice and offered them food.
And they had lunch together. This is the spirit of our people.
Their resilience is our inspiration!
We are proud to remember the efforts of our employees, our
volunteers, of the local leaders in every community, of the
doctors, the farmers, the priests and pastors, the artists and
cultural workers, the scholars and activists that supported our
efforts, and the efforts of the many other groups and organizations
that supported the love, hope, and courage of our people. We are
also moved today to remember the efforts of our brothers and
sisters of so many other diasporas here in the mainland; the
efforts of local government officials, administrators,
fire-fighters, labor leaders, electricians, plumbers, carpenters,
teachers, and of all of those that lend an open hand in that most
tragic of times.
Today, the Acacia family chooses to remember that love and
friendship, because it is only love and friendship that will get us
through these challenging times. We also remember our losses. With
love, te amamos Puerto Rico.
About Acacia Network, Inc.
Acacia Network, the
leading Latino integrated care nonprofit in the nation, offers the
community, from children to seniors, a pathway to behavioral and
primary healthcare, housing, and empowerment.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Juana Ines
Pacheco
917-504-6765
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SOURCE Acacia Network