Ford Motor Company is expanding upon its earlier efforts to help victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, announcing a $1.2-million investment for relief efforts, and a collaboration with nonprofits that will produce a multi-year program called the “Centro de Movilidad Social” – or “Social Mobility Center” – that will help bring vehicles, supplies, and services to hard-hit areas. The program will facilitate access to short-term needs like food, water, clothing, and transportation – and longer-term assistance through educational grants and job skills development – for children and families in need.
Ford will donate three response vehicles to serve as pop-up mobile resource centers, aiding the efforts of The Salvation Army and Red Cross Puerto Rico: a Ford F-150, and a pair of Transit Connect cargo vans. They’ll help deliver food, water, clothing, medical assistance, and educational resources to those hit hardest. The automaker’s $1.2-million investment will also pay for water filters and guidance on how to use them properly to prepare water for home use, and 10,000 new books for students.
The Centro de Movilidad Social is modeled after Ford’s Resource and Engagement Centers in Detroit and South Africa, the automaker says. Like this new program, those ones cooperate with nonprofit groups to help meet the need for basic necessities, education, job training, and other things in those communities.
“Puerto Rico has always been important for Ford and we stand committed to continue helping local communities with resources, services, and access to basic needs,” says Ford Mexico President and CEO Gabriel López, who is in charge of the automaker’s Puerto Rico operations. “After bringing direct relief to communities with Ruta Solidaria Ford, our social mobility centers will be part of our contribution toward a long-term recovery for the Island.”
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