Duquesne Community Collaborates to Help Hurricane Victims

As the men, women and children who’ve suffered the devastating effects of recent Hurricanes Harvey and Maria continue to recover, members of the Duquesne University community have stepped in to do their part by offering assistance.

In Houston, Duquesne’s ties include more than 250 alumni who reside there, along with many more along the coast; the St. Benedict the Abbot parish, led by Spiritan pastor Rev. Clement Uchendu, C.S.Sp.; and the North American Province’s Spiritan Office for Mission Advancement.

Recognizing the need for assistance, the leadership of the Duquesne Faculty Senate and the Student Government Association, along with Spiritan Campus Ministry, partnered to sponsor a special crowdfunding initiative. Online efforts at www.duq.edu/harvey have garnered more than $30,000 in donations.

Not long after, the world watched as Puerto Rico—home to nearly 30 current Duquesne students and faculty members, and numerous alumni—was battered first by Hurricane Irma and, then shortly thereafter, by Hurricane Maria. Today, the island remains primarily without power, and residents stand in line for hours to get much-needed supplies.

Again, members of the campus community have joined together to answer the call for help. The Office of the President, along with the offices of Residence Life, Diversity and Inclusion, Campus Ministry, Admissions, Financial Aid, Athletics as well as the Center for Student Wellbeing and the Psychology Clinic, have taken steps to assist these members of our Duquesne family as the situation in Puerto Rico continues.

The Duquesne University community has been very generous in supporting Todas Juntos: All Together for Puerto Rico, a relief initiative established by Duquesne’s students from Puerto Rico, the Latin American Students Association (LASA) and the Duquesne women’s tennis team.

During the last week, more than $4,000 ($2,000 in in-person donations and more than $2,000 in online donations via www.duq.edu/puertorico) has been collected, and five large donation bins of diapers, new and gently used clothes, cases of water and hygiene products have been collected on campus.

All monetary donations will be given to UNICEF Relief in Puerto Rico. The donated items will be sent to Hogar del Buen Pastor/The Good Shepherd Home, a non-profit, homeless organization in Puerto Rico. The Good Shepherd Home is comprised of a temporary home for 50 people and two halfway houses for 27 people. Additionally, the organization provides housing vouchers for 23 people.

Additional efforts by campus members include:

  • LASA, the Muslim Student Association, the DU College Democrats, Modern Language Scholars, Phi Kappa Theta and the tennis team held a small collaborative project to support UNICEF efforts in Puerto Rico
  • The Students for Human Rights organization hosted a small fundraiser to support a Puerto Rican charity
  • The Phi Kappa Theta fraternity is selling long-sleeve pink T-shirts to benefit the hurricane relief efforts.

Remember to keep all of those who have suffered losses of property and loved ones in Houston and Puerto Rico, including family and friends of our own Duquesne students and faculty, in your prayers.