At Annual SOMOS Conference in San Juan, Governor Hochul Announces New Initiatives to Strengthen Ties Between New York and Puerto Rico

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new initiatives to strengthen the partnership between New York and Puerto Rico. As part of Governor Hochul's efforts to address the challenges facing young people in a post-pandemic world, New York will allocate $1 million to support arts programming focusing on youth in need of services in Puerto Rico. Governor Hochul will also deploy $300,000 to support Puerto Rico's hurricane preparedness efforts, building resiliency as extreme weather continues to threaten the Island.

"Puerto Rico is an extraordinary part of the United States, and the impact of our shared history is an essential part of New York's identity," Governor Hochul said. "More than 1 million Puerto Ricans call New York home, and have contributed in fields like academia, arts, business and sports. These new initiatives will strengthen the ties between New York and Puerto Rico for generations to come."

Supporting Youth in Need
Students in Puerto Rico have experienced significant disruption over the past six years, as natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic have interrupted educational opportunities and significantly impacted the mental health and emotional well-being of an entire generation.

Recognizing the urgent need to support Puerto Rico's youth, New York's Office of Children and Family Services is providing a $1 million grant to the Hispanic Federation to support the Flamboyan Arts Fund. This initiative, which was co-founded by award-wining artist Lin-Manuel Miranda, his family and the Flamboyan Foundation supports the arts as a vehicle to ignite creativity, critical thinking, self-expression, and wellbeing for youth in need in Puerto Rico.

Numerous studies have shown the significant benefits of arts education for young people. These include:

• Improved academic performance: The arts have been linked to higher test scores, better grades and increased attendance rates.
• Enhanced creativity and problem-solving skills: Engaging in creative activities stimulates imagination and fosters innovative thinking.
• Increased self-confidence and self-esteem: The arts provide opportunities for self-expression and personal growth.
• Stronger social and emotional skills: Collaborative arts projects promote teamwork, empathy and communication.

Hispanic Federation President and CEO Frankie Miranda said, "Hispanic Federation is proud to partner with New York State to support Latino youth on the island of Puerto Rico. Through this partnership with Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Miranda Family, and the Flamboyan Foundation, marginalized youth will continue to receive an opportunity to engage in arts and cultural programs to foster social emotional learning and positive mental health. This is a continuation of the work we have done collectively to support the recovery of Puerto Rico since Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the island seven years ago. We applaud Governor Hochul for being a champion of Puerto Ricans living on the archipelago and in New York State and to Lin-Manuel Miranda and his family for always saying "presente" in times of need."

More than 1 million Puerto Ricans call New York home, and have contributed in fields like academia, arts, business and sports. These new initiatives will strengthen the ties between New York and Puerto Rico for generations to come.

Flamboyan Arts Fund Co-Founders Lin-Manuel Miranda and Luis Miranda said, "Once we were sitting for coffee with Lucecita Benitez and she told us that in Puerto Rico you turn a rock, and an artist pops up! We want to continue turning rocks and discovering artists; we want to continue using the arts to strengthen characters and developing our youth. Since Hurricane Maria and Irma hit Puerto Rico, we have been working with the non-profit sector and the arts through collaborations with Hispanic Federation and Flamboyán Foundation. We are honored to have Governor Hochul as a supporter."

Flamboyan Foundation Executive Director Carlos Rodríguez Silvestre said, "Since 2019, when Lin-Manuel and the Miranda family brought Hamilton to Puerto Rico we have collaborated to raise over $15 million to support the arts in Puerto Rico though the Flamboyan Arts Fund. We are honored to join Governor Hochul and the Hispanic Federation in continuing this work with art institutions and artists with a focus on our youth's artistic expression and wellness. For the past five years, we have been working to facilitate the preservation of Puerto Rico's cultural sector and promoting bridges that allow strategic collaborations to strengthen it. Now, more than ever, we want to solidify the cultural ecosystem's sustainability by supporting artistic innovation and ensuring artists are part of our history and revitalization's narrative. And we know that arts is one of the key factors in supporting the wellness and joy in our young people. This grant will enable us to continue doing this important work."

New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden said, "Art is a powerful tool that is used to inspire, educate, stimulate, innovate, and collaborate. OCFS is privileged to partner with Governor Hochul, world-renowned artist Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Hispanic Federation and the Flamboyan Arts Fund that will allow children and youth a medium for expression and community cohesion on the island of Puerto Rico. This initiative will further our interests in improving social, emotional, and mental health while preparing youth for potential careers and entrepreneurship within the arts."

Disaster Preparedness Funding
New York will also invest an additional $300,000 in State funding to assist Puerto Rico with hurricane preparedness, building on an existing collaboration between the state and the Caribbean Preparedness & Response, Inc. This non-profit organization operates in both New York State and Puerto Rico and is focused on building resilient telecommunications infrastructure to ensure that first responders are able to communicate in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster.

This builds on Governor Hochul's ongoing efforts to support Puerto Rico's emergency response efforts:

• Deploying First Responders: Following extreme weather events like Hurricane Fiona, Governor Hochul has deployed more than 50 members of the New York State Police to assist Puerto Rican officials with emergency management and disaster response.
• Emergency Management Training: Governor Hochul directed the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to host Puerto Rican emergency management officials to collaborate on emergency response best practices.
• Building Resilient Infrastructure: Personnel from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Department of Environmental Conservation, and Department of Transportation experienced in engineering and technical assistance travel annually to Puerto Rico to provide annual maintenance on emergency generators that support the island's water and emergency response infrastructure.

Caribbean Preparedness & Response Inc. Executive Director Jose Luis Rodríguez said, "As storms and hurricanes continue to batter our beloved island, it's more important than ever to build resilient telecommunications infrastructure. Governor Hochul's investment will help us ensure first responders have the tools they need to respond when disaster strikes- and we are deeply grateful for her investment and partnership."

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has strengthened ties between New York and Puerto Rico, and supported the Puerto Rican community that calls New York home. Last year, Governor Hochul announced the creation of the New York State-Puerto Rico Economic Opportunity Advisory Council, a group of Administration officials that works to advance our shared economic priorities. Governor Hochul also worked with Congressional and Puerto Rican leaders to open a New York Office of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, which will help Puerto Ricans living in New York and surrounding states more easily obtain birth certificates, marriage licenses, and other vital records needed to access basic government benefits and services. Last year, Governor Hochul announced a $20 million investment for CENTRO, the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at the City University of New York, which will be used to expand the library and archives at this nationally-recognized academic institution.

Contact the Governor's Press Office