CSUSB students provide disaster relief in Puerto Rico

 

After the Hurricane Maria disaster, Puerto Rico had been in need of disaster relief. With the help of the on-campus organization Cru, a number of CSUSB students spent their spring break helping with disaster relief.

 

The Christian-based organization facilitated the opportunity for students to be part of their action for disaster relief. Students engaged in communities by providing food and hygiene and helped in restoring roofs that were lost due to the hurricane.

While being one of the worst natural disasters in the area, Hurricane Maria also created the largest blackout in the world. Even though 96 percent of the population has electricity, up to 200,000 Puerto Rican residents are still without it.

CSUSB sophomore Cristal Escobedo was sponsored by Cru for a free trip to Puerto Rico. “I must say that people were very grateful that we came to help. When they thought they had been forgotten by the world, we came into the picture and provided the hope they had been looking for,” Escobedo said.

Cru had created a lasting impact on the Puerto Rican residents.

“We had received some comments from people stating that they would love for Cru to have a branch that is located in Puerto Rico because, in their eyes, we truly care for their well-being,” Escobedo said.

Cru, while being an on-campus club, is actually a country-wide organization with locations in cities such as New York City and Chicago. Here on campus, they strive to be a caring community where anyone can feel welcome, regardless of their background.

“It’s a very welcoming and open place to be if you have questions about your faith,” said Tim Joyce, who is both a CSUSB alumnus and Cru staff member.

“We try to make everything really attainable no matter where you’re coming from.” Joyce said, “Community is a really big deal.”

In addition to the spring break trip to Puerto Rico, Cru does offer similar opportunities to students who may be interested.

“We also offer trips over the summer for students to really engage in their faith as well; from places all over the country and all over the world,” said Joyce.

These trips, known as Summer Missions, are available to any students who are interested. They provide opportunities for students to travel to different regions of the world, such as Asia, The Middle East, and Europe.

Students who are interested in getting more information should visit the official website at cru.org or attend one of Cru’s weekly meetings on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. in the SU Room 217.

Students like Cristal Escobedo were willing to make a difference in the world over our week of spring break. Thanks to the opportunities provided by Cru, they were able to put their will into action.