From People to People ~ De Pueblo a Pueblo

Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Rebuilding Fund Drive

Project Managers: Dr. Arlene Diaz and Luis Ramon Hernandez

"[T]he people on the spot... have the strongest incentive to get the solution right."

Elinor Ostrom, Indiana University, Nobel Prize in Economics (2009)

‘From People to People ~ De Pueblo a Pueblo’ is a volunteer-based initiative of concerned citizens from Bloomington, Indiana. We are partnering with the Bloomington-based humanitarian aid non-profit Narra Foundation, a registered 501c3 public charity. All donations to ‘From People to People ~ De Pueblo a Pueblo’ via Narra Foundation are tax deductible.

Many of the volunteers in the ‘From People to People ~ De Pueblo a Pueblo’ initiative have personal and/or professional roots in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. This direct connection with and access to local grassroots organizations will ensure that your donation will directly benefit those in need. We are working together with faculty members, students and professionals as well as with community and local government leaders and organizations to help rebuild our sister communities in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands recently impacted by devastating natural disasters.

Why should I contribute to ‘From People to People ~ De Pueblo a Pueblo’ Relief efforts?

Our neighbors in this hemisphere have suffered tremendous loss in recent weeks. Mexico’s earthquakes hit very hard the southern states, Mexico City and Morelia. In addition, two hurricanes, Irma and María, devastated many Caribbean nations, including Puerto Rico and many sister islands in the Caribbean.

As members of the Bloomington community, we are reaching out to you in an effort to provide support to our many sister communities. These nations need a humanitarian hand to uplift them so they can stand back on their feet again. We are calling these efforts ‘From People to People ~ De Pueblo a Pueblo’ precisely because the aid will go directly from our local community to support grassroots community organizations in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Our Bloomington community has always come together to support humanitarian causes. In these challenging times, we are appealing to your solidarity and compassion to help people who are experiencing hardships to rebuild their lives.

You may donate online or write a check to Narra Foundation Inc and indicate your choice (Puerto Rico, Mexico, Caribbean, or all) in the memo. Checks can be mailed to Narra Foundation, P.O. Box 6415, Bloomington, IN 47407.

Your donation will be able to:

  1. Provide support to grassroots organizations in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that focus on the sustainable rebuilding of disenfranchised communities.
  2. Bring back the cultural vitality of these communities through the support of the education, health, the music and the arts, which are key to their well being and economic recovery.

How will the ‘From People to People ~ De Pueblo a Pueblo’ funds be used?

Our support will focus on social and cultural sustainable community projects in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. These efforts will boost grassroots projects that:

‘From People to People ~ De Pueblo a Pueblo’ will select the community projects in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that best fit the goals described above.

How do we plan to raise funds?

Aside from direct donations, we will be hosting a number of fundraising events in Bloomington including:

Are there opportunities for volunteering?

Yes, absolutely!