Back row (L–R): Emily Shaver, Sarah Beth Dunn, Lauren Beard, Dr. Deborah Kuzawa, Luke Breininger, Juliana Discher.
Front row (L–R): Ryan Leahy, Melina Willis, Dana Blank, Brooke Babbin, Hannah Commune.
When STEP provided the opportunity to create a transformational project, I knew instantly I wanted to create a community service project— my community service work was some of the most transformational and meaningful experiences as an undergraduate student. I also knew that I wanted it to be in Puerto Rico. I fell in love with Puerto Rico when I visited the island in March 2017, and after the devastation of Hurricane María in September 2017, I wanted to find a way to give back to Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans.
Ten students from 13 different majors and minors (including Spanish) participated in the 2019 STEP Puerto Rico project. We spent two weeks traveling and working with local organizations. We each had a different level of Spanish, from beginner to heritage speaker. Some of us have a long history of community service and volunteer work while others have always wanted to volunteer. As a result, each person brought a different perspective and framework for engaging with this project.
Please explore our partners, and participants’ reflections and photos. Each blog post is written by one of the participants, and each leads with their six-word memoir of Puerto Rico or of their Puerto Rican experience. After exploring this site, then consider Puerto Rico: volunteer, enjoy the food and natural beauty, and bond with and support our fellow Americans in the Caribbean.
Ayudar Puerto Rico se levante.
~Dr. Deborah Kuzawa, July 2019
Update, July 2019: Puerto Ricans have spoken and forced the governor to resign! Images of the protests are beautiful and demonstrate the spirit of Puerto Rico: even in protest there is music, dance, art, and love. Please take a moment to look at images and read stories about the protests: Google Images of Puerto Rico protests; USA Today coverage and photos; news and opinion articles from Latino Rebels; Puerto Rican news paper, El Nuevo Dia (English). Below are photos from one of our partners on the island, Ron Miller from the Department of Natural Resources; the photos were sent to him by our partner Dr. Caridad Mendizabal whose daughter was an active protestor.
STEP Puerto Rico 2019 