Salvador Gomez-Colon

Hurricane Salvador Gomez-Colon

Suffering heavy damage in the wake of Hurricane Maria in 2017, Puerto Rican communities lacked access to clean water and electricity. Salvador Gómez-Colón couldn't ignore the basic needs of his homeland and knew that nongovernmental organizations and larger foreign philanthropies could only do so much. With unstoppable energy and a deep knowledge of local culture, he founded Light and Hope for Puerto Rico and raised more than $100,000 to purchase and distribute solar-powered lamps and hand-powered washing machines to households in need. With a voice that is both accessible and engaging, he recalls living through the catastrophic storm and grappling with the destruction it left behind. Part of a series of compelling narrative nonfiction by young people for young people, Hurricane brings forward a captivating first-person account of strength, resilience, and determination.