Hi. My name is Lady Lee Andrews,
I'm the founder and creative director of The Poet's Passage.
The Poet's Passage is a living museum of poetry, art center, café, gift store, and, local craft studio, in Old San Juan, since 2005.
We are an oasis in Old San Juan for poets and artist.
The Passage has dealt with every
financial challenge a small business could endure, yet, I've proved for more than 10 years that poetry has a vital role in our society, both financially and spiritually.
It has been meeting its obligations with hard work, proving that our business is sustainable, and has brought poets and artist to our stage from all over the world.
—I didn't expect Maria to hurt us all so badly, and right now, with the Café closed, due to challenges beyond my control, I don't know how to face the coming debt. The café will re-open, but in the meantime, the damage is being done daily; survival has been coming to work with me since day one.
Before Maria, I felt this Christmas was going to be the one that tied everything together! It would show my staff and friends, what all the sacrifices were for; a time where we would finally reap the rewards of all the hard work sowed. I felt like I was about to take flight and show people the other 99% of The Poet's Passage!! I was building momentum, ready
to take that leap—
Then the lights went out:
This side of Maria, the physical, and the emotional loss, does not reach the mass media anymore, and the truth is, it's real and it has its consequences. Many small businesses have closed.
With my insurance still in limbo,
I need as much help as I can get now. Later will be too late. The penalties and fines will end up being the bully that gets away with murder.
I want The Poet's Passage to be my gift to Puerto Rico. A little magic, on this enchanted island, for all.
It's beautiful, and, unique in Old San Juan. Living in the center of our city, like its heart.
Our Poetic forum is to maintain a stage for voices to be heard, read, written, and above all, saved.
Everything else is there to support that.
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Poet Lady Lee Andrews
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