Our Volunteers & Partners
Our invaluable COREFI volunteers support our efforts by cleaning, translating, building, driving, providing medical care, and in may other ways. We also partner with other organizations to bring needed aid to Vieques.
Core Volunteers
Yayan Acevedo
Lucy Diaz
Juanita Pérez
Evelyn Mulero
Doyle Wilson
Suzanne Paterson
Eddy Wintle
Susan Fisk
Partner Organizations
Community Through Colors
Fe Que Transforma
Episcopalian Church
Prebysterian Disaster Relief
Vieques Rotary Club
Island Corps
Boricuas de Corazón, Tampa Florida
Municipio de Vieques
DonaSol
Caring
Your support drives change. Every donation enhances our programs and provides vital resources. Together, we empower families. Join us to create lasting impact. Thank you.
Our Donors
A heartfelt thank you to the individuals who have gone above and beyond to contribute to COREFI with monetary donations, goods, services, and time. Gracias por todo, we could not do it without you.
“We must not just be recipients but givers! We must not just be keepers but donors! Giving brings relief and sharing enlightens the heart. Caring joins and showing love is life. It is never enough to acquire all acquisition. It is never enough to have all our ambitions. We must endeavor to give for giving out of a true heart is true love and true love is life.”
Elizabeth Rosario Ortiz
President/Executive Director
Elizabeth, nacida el 2 de octubre de 1969 en Vieques, se trasladó a Santa Cruz y luego a Florida, donde trabajó más de 20 años en una organización sin fines de lucro. Tiene un título en Administración de Empresas y se especializa en trabajo comunitario con niños y adultos mayores. Tras el Huracán María, se reconectó con su comunidad, ofreciendo su ayuda como voluntaria en varias organizaciones, incluyendo COREFI, donde aprendió los valores de la entidad. Elizabeth tiene una visión innovadora y sostiene que "It takes a Village", enfatizando la necesidad de la participación comunitaria para lograr un cambio real.
Elizabeth Rosario Ortíz, President
Elizabeth, born on October 2, 1969, in Vieques, graduated from German Rieckehoff Morales High School. She moved to Santa Cruz and then Florida, where she worked over 20 years in a non-profit, gaining management experience. Passionate about community service for children and the elderly, she holds degrees in Criminal Justice and Business Administration. After Hurricane Maria, she volunteered with organizations like Incubadora Micorempresa Bieke and COREFI, connecting with Doña Sonia Ventura de Morales, who shared COREFI's history. Elizabeth has a fresh vision for the organization and invites contributions to the community. It takes a Village.
Our Leadership
Our board team is a powerful mix of Viequenses and Amazing people from different countries.
Carmen Valencia
Vice President
Carmen’s tenure as a Board member since the organization’s inception exemplifies her unwavering dedication to social causes and the medical needs of the Viequenses community. Through her leadership, she has effectively highlighted critical health issues, mobilized necessary resources, and improved access to vital medical care. Her efforts have ensured that the voices of Viequenses are represented in health discussions, demonstrating her commitment to advocacy and community engagement. Carmen’s profound impact has solidified her role as an invaluable asset, both to the organization and the community it serves.
Carmen ha sido miembro de la Junta desde la fundación de la organización. Su compromiso con causas sociales y las necesidades médicas de los Viequenses ha avanzado la salud de la comunidad. A través de su liderazgo, ha destacado problemas urgentes, movilizado recursos y mejorado el acceso a la atención médica, asegurando que las voces de los Viequenses sean escuchadas en las discusiones sobre salud. Su profundo impacto la convierte en un activo invaluable para la organización y la comunidad que sirve.
Douglas Smith
Secretary
Douglas Smith, nacido en 1949 en Detroit, se graduó en la Universidad de Michigan. Diseñó y construyó muebles de madera durante 13 años, luego obtuvo una licencia de constructor y renovó propiedades. En 1983, se convirtió en agente inmobiliario, enfocándose en apartamentos y subdivisiones. Colaboró con Avalon Housing, aumentando su oferta de viviendas a más de 300 en 30 años. Doug y su esposa Olga viven en Vieques y Ann Arbor, donde él mejora su español y aprende sobre la jubilación.
Douglas Smith was born in Detroit, MI in 1949 and raised in its suburbs. He graduated from the University of Michigan and spent 13 years designing custom hardwood furniture. After obtaining his residential builder license, he bought and renovated homes. In 1983, he got his real estate license, focusing on apartment sales and subdivision development. He has worked with nonprofits like Avalon Housing, helping it grow from 2 to over 300 homes for the underserved. Doug and his wife Olga live in Vieques and Ann Arbor, MI, where he is learning Spanish and adjusting to retirement.
Phyllis Johnson
Treasurer
Nacida en Washington, viví en Brooklyn. Comencé como paralegal pro bono en Northwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, donde creé una organización para ayudar a prisioneros. Trabajé con Arnold & Porter en el desastre de Buffalo Creek y testifiqué ante el Congreso sobre acceso legal. Fui voluntaria en LEDA antes de jubilarme de Grace Church School en Brooklyn Heights. Luego, me mudé a Vieques y fundé COREFI en 2008 con Sonia Ventura.
Born in Washington State and raised in Brooklyn, NY, I started pro bono work as a paralegal for Northwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, promoting Prisoners’ Services. I contributed to the Arnold & Porter case for the Buffalo Creek Disaster and testified before Congress on Legal Representation access. Before retiring from Grace Church School, I volunteered at LEDA in NYC. In 2008, I co-founded COREFI in Vieques with Sonia Ventura.
Yaritza Pérez Pagán
Yaritza has volunteered at COREFI for over five years, supporting Vieques' elder community. Her skills and kindness help simplify daily tasks and improve communication. By listening to their concerns, she offers assistance and builds friendships, fostering trust and safety. Yaritza's contributions enhance seniors' quality of life in Vieques, exemplifying true volunteerism and solidifying her essential role in the community.
Yaritza ha sido voluntaria por más de cinco años en COREFI, ayudando a los ancianos de Vieques. Utiliza su amabilidad para atender sus necesidades, simplificar tareas y mejorar la comunicación. Escucha sus preocupaciones, brinda apoyo y amistad, generando confianza. Su labor beneficia a COREFI y aumenta la calidad de vida de los ancianos, reflejando el verdadero espíritu del voluntariado y su importancia en la comunidad.