Nuestra Escuela Vocational School

The Maestro Cares Foundation has partnered with Nuestra Escuela Vocational School, an alternative school operating as a community-based nonprofit organization since 2000, to expand educational opportunities and strengthen support services for youth and families in Puerto Rico. Through multiple phases of investment, the project provides a second chance to youth who need additional support in the public school system while creating pathways to education, workforce development, and long-term community resilience.

Phase I of the project, in partnership with the Good Bunny Foundation, included the renovation of three multipurpose spaces and six bathrooms across three floors. These newly transformed areas now operate as a technology lab, agriculture classroom, and fashion design classroom. By equipping youth with essential skills to succeed in competitive job markets, the project helps improve employment prospects and break the cycle of poverty within the community. The renovated building directly benefits 250 youth and over 300 families.

Phase II, supported by Maestro Cares Foundation in partnership with Puerto Rican singer and actor Chayanne, completed the remaining infrastructure improvements at Nuestra Escuela. The expansion includes a two-story dining hall that serves as a Resilience Center, providing a dedicated space for daily student services and emergency response efforts, as well as two early childhood classrooms that support Nuestra Escuelita, an early childhood program serving up to 30 children ages 0–5, and a multipurpose activity area. These new spaces expand educational opportunities and support working families by enabling parents to continue their education and pursue employment opportunities. The Resilience Center also serves as a critical community resource capable of supporting approximately 500 families during times of crisis, further strengthening Nuestra Escuela's impact on students, families, and the broader community.