La Tejedora, which means “The Weaver” in English, seeks to weave connections between young people in Puerto Rico doing social justice work and with peers in other parts of the United States and in the Caribbean. The organization centers Puerto Ricans between the ages of 18-35 and supports them in organizing and building power to improve quality of life on the archipelago. While many in this age group have relocated to the continental U.S. after Hurricane Maria, the pandemic, and an earthquake in 2020 led to a series of humanitarian crises in Puerto Rico, others have chosen to stay and fight for their future there, despite numerous challenges.

“We as young folks are struggling with a lot of basic human things like access to affordable housing, a dignified salary, quality education, healthcare – all of that,” said Co-founder and Program Manager Loidymar Duprey González, who is part of the Solidarity Collaborative’s first cohort. “We have to think about our resilient young folk who are choosing to build in their community because they want to do it and not because they don’t have another option.”

Another issue that’s contributing to the displacement of young Puerto Ricans is the influx of people from the “mainland” through Act 22, which allows U.S. citizens who meet the requirements to move to Puerto Rico and avoid paying taxes. La Tejedora is part of the Puerto Rico No Se Vende (Puerto Rico is Not for Sale) coalition that is calling for the abolition of Act 22. La Tejedora has also launched a campaign called Waiting to Stay that’s aimed at tackling other displacement-causing issues – such as the high number of vacation rentals around the San Juan area, which make it difficult for college students to find affordable housing near the campuses, and hotels buying up coastland and privatizing public beaches and parks.

Hear more from Loidymar about La Tejedora’s work to empower young Puerto Ricans and her experience with the Solidarity Collaborative.