SUNY and CUNY have deployed 50 volunteers to clean, restore and rebuild homes in Puerto Rico. The schools and UNICEF USA are expanding Trauma-Informed Mental Health Support.
SUNY And CUNY Support Puerto Rico
Schools Team With UNICEF USA To Expand Mental Health Support
The 2019 New York Stands with Puerto Rico Recovery and Rebuilding Initiative has begun. SUNY and CUNY have deployed 50 volunteers to clean, restore and rebuild homes in Puerto Rico during the winter break. Additionally SUNY, CUNY and UNICEF USA are expanding Trauma-Informed Mental Health Support under the newly established Mental Health Initiative by creating an action plan for children and families across the island to cope.
"New York has stood with Puerto Rico since day one, and we will not leave our fellow Americans behind while the federal government continues to ignore their needs," Governor Cuomo said. "This new deployment of volunteers will not only help rebuild the island stronger and more resilient than before, it will provide much-needed mental health support to individuals still suffering from the trauma of the disaster and Washington's ineffective response."
This is just the first batch of 500 SUNY and CUNY volunteers committed to relief efforts in 2019 joining over 650 from last year.
SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson said, "Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, a long-standing partnership has been fostered to continue the state's Puerto Rico recovery and rebuilding initiative. This sets a positive example for our students, encouraging them to think of others and commit their time and energy toward public service. I am proud of our SUNY and CUNY students and other volunteers who will start 2019 representing New York State as we help our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico."
CUNY Interim Chancellor Vita C. Rabinowitz said, "Last year's New York Stands with Puerto Rico initiative was an unqualified success and a transformative experience for the nearly 200 CUNY students who participated, many of whom had personal connections to the island. This year's collaboration with UNICEF USA will expand the opportunities for students. We are proud to help in the continuing relief effort and applaud Governor Cuomo for his leadership and for his concern for the people of Puerto Rico."
It's on both the school and the governor's website so you can chose which one...
Read more at https://www.suny.edu/suny-news/press-releases/01-2019/1-3-19/2019-nystandswithpr-initiative.html
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