Because of the devastation caused by the recent natural disasters in Mexico, the Caribbean, and southern United States, the College has been busy offering information about international and local relief efforts and resources. Hostos also has been home to an ongoing collection drive in collaboration with other initiatives throughout New York City and abroad.
On October 4, Hostos held a “Day of Action and Solidarity” (Día de acción y solidaridad) that empowered faculty, staff and students. The Bridge was a hub of activity throughout the day, as everything from canned goods to batteries were collected. Monetary donations were also accepted to help the University of Puerto Rico. Later in the day, the donations were transported to the former Hostos bookstore, where they were packaged in preparation for delivery by Hostos’ Public Safety Department to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. President David Gómez was on hand to support the effort, as the Hostos family worked as one for their brothers and sisters in need.
The effort was organized by the United for Puerto Rico Committee and the following Hostos clubs: AMLA (Assisting Latinos to Maximize Achievement), Common Ground, and Teachers of the Future.
Matilda Outlaw was one of the students busy helping the packing effort. The Early Childhood Education major and President of Hostos’ Teachers of the Future Club said with so many friends dealing with the aftermath of the hurricanes in the Caribbean and the earthquake in Mexico, she felt the need to help.
“It is just devastating to see so many people you know going through this,” Outlaw said. “I really want to offer my support any way I can. We all know what it is like to struggle; this is just the right thing to do.”
Juan Ramón from Hostos’ Conference Center and Kaira Pelaez from Hostos’ CUNY EDGE talked about how as people of Dominican descent, they felt a sense of responsibility to help their fellow Latinos who are suffering so badly. They, along with faculty including Lizette Colón, Lauren Wolf, Hector Soto and others, also felt they just needed to do something.
“I am proud to be here today,” Pelaez said. “The people of Puerto Rico are our neighbors. They really need our help.”
For information on how you can help, visit the Hostos Helping webpage here.
See how Hostos is helping through this Facebook photo album.
About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities for nearly half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs.
Hostos offers 27 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 24 colleges.