LULAC JOINS MARYLAND GOVERNOR MOORE ON PRESIDENT BIDEN’S VISIT TO BALTIMORE

April 5, 2024

Washington, DC – Today, Juan Proaño, CEO of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the largest and oldest Latino civil rights organization in the U.S., traveled to Baltimore, joining Maryland Governor Wes Moore for President Biden’s visit following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

In the days following the tragedy, the LULAC Institute, Inc., has raised approximately $40,000 in collaboration with GoFundMe to provide immediate financial assistance to the six affected families, helping them navigate these trying times with dignity and support from the community. 100% of the proceeds will be directly given to the families, with each family receiving equal amounts of the final money raised. These funds have been contributed by many of LULAC’s 138,000 members, advocates, other non-profits, community members, and even local businesses across all 50 states, as well as several corporate partners.

LULAC has also joined the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Alliance (MTBSA), a cross-sector collaboration of philanthropic, business, and community leaders committed to ensuring a full recovery following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

“LULAC is fully committed to partnering and supporting Governor Moore's and President Biden's endeavors to rebuild the Key Bridge and offer immediate relief to the affected families. Most of the victims were the breadwinners of their families; others supported educational efforts in their home countries. These workers, who arrived in the United States with dreams of a better life, faced the ultimate sacrifice in their quest for the American Dream, and it is crucial we as a community stand by their families during this horrific time. We have raised these funds and will immediately send this monetary support to the families,” said CEO Proaño.

Proaño also appeared on Scripps this morning to discuss the importance of getting funds directly into the hands of the families to help them with immediate expenses such as paying utilities, housing bills, food, and the funeral or memorial costs for their deceased loved ones.

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About LULAC

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC's programs, services, and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting the critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit https://lulac.org/