Fundacion Sila M Calderon Inc.

THE MISSION OF THE SILA M. CALDERN FOUNDATION IS TO UNDERTAKE ACTIONS, SERVICES, PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS PRIMARILY ON THE ISSUES OF POVERTY AND THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY; AND SECONDARILY, ON URBAN REVITALIZATION AND ETHICAL VALUES AND SOCIAL RESPONSABILITY. TO ACHIEVE THIS MISSION, THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED: (I) REDUCE POVERTY AND INEQUITY; (II) ADVANCE THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY; (III) PROMOTE URBAN REVITALIZATION AND BALANCE; AND (IV) STRENGTHEN ETHICAL VALUES AND SOCIAL RESPONSABILITY.

THE SILA M. CALDERN FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED AS A NON-FOR-PROFIT AND NONPARTISAN ORGANIZATION TO REDUCE POVERTY AND INEQUITY, ADVANCE WOMEN IN SOCIETY, PROMOTE URBAN REVITALIZATION AND BALANCE, AND STRENGTHEN ETHICAL VALUES AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, THROUGH A CENTER FOR EDUCATION, DIALOGUE, RESEARCH, AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS OF PUERTO RICANS ON THE ISLAND AND ON THE MAINLAND. THE FOUNDATION'S FACILITIES HOUSE A SPECIALIZED LIBRARY, TECHNOLOGY CENTER AND ARCHIVE THAT SUPPORT AND ENABLE RESEARCH IN ITS FOUR MISSION AREAS. ALTHOUGH THE LIBRARY IS RESEARCH ORIENTED, IT IS ALSO OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND ROUTINELY USED BY RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY. AN AVERAGE OF 400 PEOPLE VISIT THE LIBRARY ON A MONTHLY BASIS, AND AN ADDITIONAL NUMBER OF VISITORS ARRIVE FOR SPECIAL EVENTS, SUCH AS BOOK PRESENTATIONS AND LECTURES, WHICH ARE FREE TO ATTEND. THE OFFICIAL ARCHIVES OF THE FORMER GOVERNOR'S YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE ARE ALSO STORED AT THE CENTER. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO RESEARCHERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN PAPER FORM OR IN DIGITAL COPIES. AN AVERAGE OF 4 RESEARCH CONSULTATIONS ARE ATTENDED PER WEEK. THROUGH THE CENTER FOR PUERTO RICO, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS AND PLACES EMPHASIS ON ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS THAT EDUCATE, CAPACITATE, AND EMPOWER COMMUNITY LEADERS AND OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING AT THE GRASS ROOT LEVEL. THROUGH ITS DIFFERENT PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES, THE CENTER SEEKS OPPORTUNITIES AND INCENTIVES FOR INDIVIDUAL ACTION, SUSTAINABLE CHANGE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. TO THIS EFFECT THE CENTER HAS CARRIED OUT A CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM FOR ENTREPRENURIAL COMMUNITY INITIATIVES WHICH HAS IMPACTED MORE THAN 3000 COMMUNITY LEADERS AND RESIDENTS OF LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS IN ALLIANCE WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO, OTHER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS, AND PARTNERS FROM THE ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM. THE PROGRAMS HAVE RESULTED IN THE DESIGN OF 700 ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITY INITIATIVES ACROSS THE ISLAND, MOST OF WHICH MOVED TO IMPLEMENTATION AFTER THE PROGRAM ENDED. DURING 2019, THE CENTER HAS FOCUSED ITS SUPPORT TO THESE INITIATIVES IN PROVIDING ADDITIONAL EDUCATION, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. THE CENTER CONTINUES TO WORK HAND IN HAND WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ENTREPRENEURS TO REACH OPERATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY.