Our Story
On February 27th, 2010, a powerful earthquake shook almost an entire country, and that early morning changed the minds and lives of hundreds of Chileans. Terrified, they watched as the water and tremors took away their dreams, achievements, their few belongings earned through hard work, and even the lives of their loved ones. Amidst the pain and despair, still dazed amidst the rubble, horror, and darkness, their souls were shaken, leaving them plunged into anguish and devastation. Thousands of them asked themselves.
“What will we do now?” “What are we going to do now?” The next day, we said, “we have to do something!” and we did it, and we continue to do so.
That morning advanced faster than ever, and the bad news, as always, did not wait, but broke the routine of other Chileans residing in the United States. Gradually, they learned about what had happened thousands of kilometers away in their beloved Chile. Once they had left their homeland, family, and friends, with the bitterness that entails, to fulfill their own dreams, but now shaken by this sad news, they proposed, like many Chileans around the world.
“We have to do something!”
For many, these words imply a genuine desire to help, not to remain passive in the face of such misfortune, but no more than that, a wish and a good intention. However, a small group of Chileans from the towns of Oyster Bay and Brentwood in Long Island, New York, communicated with each other and went beyond words and the desire to help. The day after the earthquake, on Sunday, February 28th, they met for the first time and reached an agreement:
“Yes, we can and must do something for our compatriots!”
Thus, six people with determination and dedication, especially women, gave rise to the long-awaited group that would help Chileans in distress from this catastrophe. Many names, proposals, and ideas were proposed until legally “Chilean Charities of America INC” was born on May 4th, 2010.
In their first meetings, they set out to collect clothes, food, and useful items for the victims, and subsequently send them the first aid that has been collected with the kindness and solidarity of people from various nations who inhabit the city of New York. The container that we will send at the end of June is only the beginning of our goals and desires. We want to continue helping and cooperating in the reconstruction of those affected in Chile. We want to build a kindergarten in the south of Chile, in the area most affected by the strong earthquake and tsunami, and in the future build a nursing home for the elderly and sponsor rural schools. There are so many other dreams that can only be made a reality with the help of our resident community and anyone who feels compassion for those in distress.
But our task is not only aimed outward. “Chilean Charities of America Inc.” also wants to be a bridge of help to the Chilean community residing in New York, providing them with legal advice, medicine, and other benefits, like those offered by other sister communities, extending their arms in aid to all immigrants regardless of their origin. But for all of this, we need you to become a part of our organization. That is why we invite all of you, regardless of your status or origin, to join this noble task. We make a special call to all professionals in all areas, who with their voluntary contribution, can make all these dreams come true.
On that early morning, the affected people asked themselves.
Now, a question for you. What can you do for them? You can make a decision and work with us for the good and benefit of those who really need it.
Who We Are
We are a volunteer-driven organization, and our success is thanks to the dedication and hard work of our incredible team of volunteers. We believe that everyone has something to offer, and we welcome anyone who wants to make a difference in our community to join us in our mission.
If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter future for all.
Our story begins with a small group of individuals who were passionate about making a difference in the lives of those around them. We noticed that there were many people in our community who were struggling to make ends meet, and we knew that we had to do something to help.
So, we started by organizing food drives and distributing basic necessities to those who needed them. As word spread about our efforts, more and more people joined us in our mission, and we knew that we had to create a more structured organization to better serve our community.
Where We Are Today
Today, our organization has grown to become a vital part of our community, with volunteers from all walks of life coming together to make a difference. We offer a range of programs and services to help those in need, from food and clothing drives to job training and education programs.
At the heart of our organization is the belief that every person deserves a chance to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life. We work tirelessly to provide resources and support to those in our community who need it most, and we are proud to be able to make a positive impact on the lives of so many people.
Be the change
Call Us Now!
(516) 404-9342