After Hurricane Maria, Francisco Gutierrez, Professor at UPR School of Architecture, could not go back to teaching as if nothing had happened. With so many roofs damaged after Maria, Francisco realized that there was an immediate need to help rebuild, and that he could help directly by teaching his architecture students to build more resiliently. Along with fellow architect Jonathan Marvel, he began planning the first of what would be several roof rebuilding workshops, using architecture students as test “apprentices” who would be paid in a “Learn and Earn” program as they learned roof-related carpentry. 

Emily Roisman was at home in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria.  Although her home incurred little damage, she saw first-hand the devastation to tens of thousands of others, and she was determined to come up with a nonprofit solution to address one of the island’s most pressing needs – resilient housing.  A lawyer who had already helped to create a now-successful mentoring nonprofit in the States, Emily was ready to roll up her sleeves and start a nonprofit organization that would provide a long-term solution for Puerto Rico – one that would address housing needs and provide vocational training simultaneously. 

A few weeks after Maria, Emily connected with Jonathan through a mutual friend to discuss collaborating.  Jonathan introduced Emily to Francisco and their mutual friend, Joanna Cartagena (who came up with the name “PRoTechos”). Together, they created a Puerto Rico nonprofit organization with a dual mission that not only would replace the tens of thousands of blue tarps with strong roofs but would also build capacity in underserved communities by training residents of those communities to do this work. The hands-on training they received would directly benefit homes within their own communities, building roofs to replace the ubiquitous blue tarps. This two-pronged approach would build a skilled labor force while reinvigorating the economies of underserved communities. 

PRoTechos started contacting local community leaders. These leaders helped identify the residents with the most need, as well as residents who were ready, willing, and able to learn basic carpentry skills. By the end of 2018, PRoTechos had completed six roofs and had trained ten people. As the program grew, so did the numbers. By the end of 2019, PRoTechos had completed 18 more roofs. By the end of 2020, PRoTechos had completed a total of 55 roofs and trained over 100 people.