CARAS OF THE AMERICAS

Impulsando desarrollo comunitario sostenible.

aka Caras con Causa   |   Cataño, PR   |  www.caraspr.org

Mission

Caras takes a community based approach to sustainable development focused on improving academic proficiency through educational programs enabling community based management of natural resources and wetlands, and developing a pipeline of people to employment opportunities to foster economic sustainability.

Ruling year info

2007

Executive Director

Michael I. Fernandez Esq.

Main address

Post Office Box 433

Cataño, PR 00963-0433 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

42-1628144

NTEE code info

Youth Centers, Clubs, (includes Boys/Girls Clubs)- Multipurpose (O20)

Community, Neighborhood Development, Improvement (S20)

Voluntarism Promotion (T40)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

For many years our global commitment maintained an approach of actively impacting communities of countries in Latin America, such as Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, and Costa Rica. However, recognizing the scenario that Puerto Rico is going through, we created initiatives of great benefit for local communities. Understanding that sustainable development encompasses a wide variety of factors that make it possible, we decided to create a work plan that not only addresses the most explicit needs of the communities but also those that allow their transformation, such as education and the maintenance of their environmental resources. We dedicate ourselves as professionals to eradicate poverty through community organization and the development of their leadership to promote self-management. In addition, we promote education as a liberating tool to achieve the social transformation we need and the environment as a healing resource and economic stimulus.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Vietnam Estudia / Vietnam Studies

Extended schedule program in the community of Vietnam, Guaynabo. Tutoring, snacks, mental health services, sports, workshops and crafts are provided.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Economically disadvantaged people

Program of extended hours in the Puente Blanco, Cataño community. Tutoring, snacks, mental health services, sports, workshops and crafts are provided.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Economically disadvantaged people

Participatory reforestation program in the Las Cucharillas Natural Reserve in partnership with the Corredor del Yaguazo, community entity of Juana Matos, Cataño. We carry out educational and participatory plantings with the community, students of the schools of the area and volunteers in general to rehabilitate the reserve that has been deforested by the excessive urban development.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Economically disadvantaged people

Extended schedule program in the community of Juana Matos, Cataño. Tutoring, snacks, mental health services, sports, workshops and crafts are provided.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Economically disadvantaged people

The community laboratory (LabCom) is a world-class laboratory dedicated to environmental research that guides the conservation work of Las Cucharillas Natural Reserve. In addition, it is enabled for teachers and students of public schools in the area, elementary, intermediate and higher levels, to take advantage of the facilities to apply in the field the knowledge acquired in class. More than five hundred students have the opportunity to accelerate their academic development in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The schools use the facilities of the LabCom as an annex, having innovative educational experiences and alternatives that meet the academic requirements of the Department of Education. In turn, the data collected by students nurtures the longitudinal studies led by the Yaguazo y Caras to guide the rehabilitation of the Reserve.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Economically disadvantaged people

Where we work

Awards

Big Ideas Challenge 2018

Popular Bank Foundation

Opus Prize Finalist 2019

Saint Louis University and the Opus Prize Foundation

Premio Tina Hills Finalist 2019

Fundación Angel Ramos

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of students showing improvement in test scores

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Children and youth

Related Program

Vietnam Estudia / Vietnam Studies

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Please note that Hurricane Maria affected negatively the rates for 2017 and 2018. Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic the PR Dept of Education passed all students to the next grade.

Number of trees planted

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Children and youth, Families, Economically disadvantaged people

Related Program

Urban Roots

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Please note that the 2019-2020 numbers were talied 9/19-6/20 2,177 are the trees in the nursery 386 planted @ Reserve 94 Covana-Negra species planted @ Reserve 1,749 seeds in the nursery

Hours of tutoring administered

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Children and youth, Families, Economically disadvantaged people

Related Program

Vietnam Estudia / Vietnam Studies

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

2016 = academic year of 2016-2017; 2017= a/c 2017-2018; 2018= a/c 2018-2019; 2019=a/c 2019-2020 Please note that during the COVID there were 6 remote weekly activities, mostly sent through the mail

Rate of student attendance during the reporting period

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Children and youth

Related Program

Vietnam Estudia / Vietnam Studies

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

During the school year 19-20, 10-12 students out of the 33 participated in the remote activities during the COVID pandemic. We continued reaching out to them regardless of their participation.

Number of students enrolled

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Children and youth, Families, Economically disadvantaged people

Related Program

Vietnam Estudia / Vietnam Studies

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Caras takes a community-based approach to sustainable development focused on improving academic proficiency through educational programs enabling community-based management of natural resources and wetlands, and developing a pipeline of people to employment opportunities to foster economic sustainability.

Drive the development of individuals and communities by coordinating educational and environmental programs that integrate diverse sectors of society to increase the development of all.

Our team is made up of professionals with experties in environment, education and community development. Entities from all sectors of society have given us their support: corporations, foundations, universities, community organizations, public schools and individuals.

Planted over 1,000 trees
Assisted with the reforestation of the Natural Reserve Ciénaga Las Cucharillas by coordinating community participatory planting events.
Developed a reforesting project, four after-school programs for 1st to 6th grade, one summer work experience program, a college track program, and a natural disaster relief project (Connect Relief).
Offered over 2,000 contact hours per year in our after-school centers.
Offered nutritious meals and activities to over 200 students per year in our four centers.
Hosted over 200 volunteer groups/organizations/universities in our programs.

Financials

CARAS OF THE AMERICAS
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

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CARAS OF THE AMERICAS

Board of directors
as of 02/22/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

Mr. Alberto Mercado

PreMed, LLC

Term: 2017 - 2022


Board co-chair

Luis Pizarro

Medical Card System, Inc.

Term: 2014 - 2019

Mario E Davila

Marichal, Hernández, Santiago & Jurabe Attorneys at Law

Alberto Mercado

PREMED, LLC

Manuel Nuñez

Nuñez Law Offices

Antolin Velasco

Popular Auto

Sabrina Nazor

Rafael Toro

Monique Lugo

Alvarez & Villalon Arq.

Mariemi Sierra

Banco Popular de PR

Luis Pizarro

MCS

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 4/6/2021
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx
Gender identity
Male

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 04/06/2021

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Policies and processes
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.