From Ruins to Resilience: An Innovative Community Kitchen Design for Rural Women in Puerto Rico
Project Sponsor: Centro Paz Para Ti (CPPT)
Team Members: Aidan Flanagan, Chayse Dube, Walter Tamajong
Project Advisors: John-Michael Davis, Jessica Santos
Project Files:
Abstract: Puerto Rico has one of the highest domestic violence rates globally, with rural women facing heightened vulnerability due to limited support services. Our project collaborated with Centro Paz para Ti (CPPT), a direct service program that supports rural women affected by domestic violence. Together, we designed a multifunctional community kitchen that offers space for cooking, education, and emergency response. Our multi-method approach comprised interviews with five other community kitchens in Puerto Rico coupled with volunteering at CPPT and interviewing CPPT members to learn their kitchen design preferences. We developed an innovative community kitchen design, budget, and implementation procedure that enhances food security, empowers survivors economically, and fosters social cohesion.
Executive Summary
Introduction & Background
Domestic violence is a pressing issue in Puerto Rico, which has one of the highest per capita rates of women over 14 killed by their partners (Sanmartín, 2010). In 2024, there were 24 gender violence-related murders, reflecting persistent high rates of femicides (Incidentes de Violencia de Género, n.d.). Machismo, characterized by dominance and aggression, and familism, emphasizing family duty, contribute to the silence and underreporting of domestic violence (Irene‐López & Kalmakis, 2023). The police’s inadequate enforcement of protective orders and high rates of domestic violence among officers further exacerbate the issue (ACLU of Puerto Rico National Chapter, 2012b; Roure, 2019). Rural areas face additional challenges, including conservative societal values, lack of services, and transportation issues, making it difficult for women to seek help (Harris & Woodlock, 2019; Owen & Carrington, 2015)
Community kitchens provide food security, social support, and economic empowerment (Birkes, 2024). Furthermore, studies highlight the impact of community kitchens on women, increasing self-respect, socialization, and community support ( Blondet, 2004; Mahato & Vardhan, 2021; Valenzuela-Levi et al., 2024). In Puerto Rico, community kitchens were crucial during crises like Hurricane Maria, providing food, stability, and mental health support (Zhorov, 2018). These kitchens operate through local volunteer efforts, utilizing shared spaces and fostering long-term relationships. They also serve as resilience hubs, where frequent power outages and disasters disrupt food supply chains (Avery, 2023; World Report on Violence and Health, 2002). Their ability to operate independently from the neighborhood grid makes them critical in sustaining vulnerable populations during such times.
Coordinadora Paz Para las Mujeres (CPM) is the Puerto Rican Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and has been working since 1989 to protect women from gender violence and promote gender equity. In 2018, CPM launched its first direct service community project in Adjuntas called Centro Paz Para Ti (CPPT), which operates out of an abandoned school. CPPT provides a safe space for rural women to recover from domestic violence situations by developing support networks and strengthening their economic independence (Centro Paz Para Ti, n.d.). They aspire to develop a community kitchen as a place for emergency resilience, their members to cook and sell food, conduct cooking lessons, and distribute meals to home-bound women. However, Hurricane Maria left the kitchen once used by the school in ruins; currently there is no roof, electricity, or gas, necessitating a complete redesign.
Project Goal
The goal of this project is to design the layout and operational plan of a new community kitchen for CPPT and develop supporting materials for a funding proposal. Our project comprised three objectives:
- Investigate best practices and operational models of community kitchens in Puerto Rico.
- Determine CPPT’s desired goals for the design and operation of their community kitchen.
- Design and advance the initial implementation of CPPT’s community kitchen.
Methods
1. Investigating Best Practices
We conducted visits to five community kitchens in Puerto Rico: Id Shaliah, La Conde, La Goyco, CAM Las Carolinas, and CAM Caguas. Through semi-structured interviews and participant observation, we gathered insights into their operational models, funding, resources and challenges. We also observed the kitchens in person, took photographs, and engaged in informal discussions with community members.
2. Identifying CPPT’s Goals
Understanding CPPT’s specific needs was crucial. We visited Adjuntas twice, spending three consecutive days each time. We engaged in community activities such as assisting in the community garden and had informal conversations with seven members. We conducted six semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, focusing on the kitchen’s purpose, operational goals, and desired features.
3. Designing and Implementing the Kitchen
Based on the data collected from the first two methods, we developed a comprehensive design and implementation guide for CPPT’s community kitchen. We presented our findings in a focus group with a founder of CPPT and an intern, gathering their feedback to finalize the kitchen model. We also identified funding opportunities and drafted key sections of the grant proposal.
Results
response to crises like Hurricane Maria and COVID-19, repurposing abandoned schools to serve food-insecure populations. These kitchens now cater to the elderly, the poor, and those struggling with addiction, while fostering community growth through various events. They rely on diverse funding sources, including community donations and external grants, to sustain their operations. The layout of these kitchens often follows the traditional school cafeteria setup, with defined spaces for food preparation, cooking, and dining. For example, all community kitchens featured a well-organized layout with semi-industrial appliances, such as three-compartment sinks, refrigerators, and gas stoves & ovens, to meet the demands of high-volume food production. Lastly, operating community kitchens in Puerto Rico involves navigating many legal and regulatory challenges. Securing permits for using abandoned buildings and adhering to safety regulations are critical aspects that can significantly impact the development and continued growth of these kitchens.
CAM Las Carolinas community kitchen CAM Caguas community kitchen
CPPT stakeholders envision their community kitchen as a hub for collaboration, education, and emergency preparedness. The kitchen will support communal cooking, skill-building workshops, and economic empowerment, particularly for women entrepreneurs. It will also serve as a crucial resource for disaster response, ensuring access to hot meals during crises. We developed a functional 3D model, an operational plan, and a budget breakdown (see Appendix D) to inform an implementation plan. The design prioritizes efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability, with features like multiple cooking stations, L-shaped counters, and solar-powered appliances. The budget, estimated at $213,000, covers structural reconstruction, essential utilities, and kitchen appliances.
SketchUp was used to create a 3D model of the future community kitchen
Recommendations
After creating a design and budget for the community kitchen, the next steps involve securing funding and implementing a volunteer management system. To ensure CPPT’s community kitchen is successfully created and has a long-term impact, securing funding through grants or partner organizations is crucial for covering construction, equipment, and overhead costs. Our team identified nine potential funders, including five based in Puerto Rico, and created a flyer to assist in outreach (see Appendices C & E). Implementing a volunteer operations plan is essential for efficient management. This plan should include tracking volunteer schedules, documenting activities, and providing training to ensure volunteers are well-prepared. A system for managing volunteers can range from simple paper spreadsheets to advanced digital software like Excel. Ensuring a steady stream of volunteers and organized operations will contribute to the kitchen’s sustainability and successful operation.
Conclusion
Community kitchens in Puerto Rico transform lives by providing food security, fostering social connections, and offering emergency assistance. A community kitchen for CPPT would bring domestic violence survivors critical crisis support and entrepreneurial opportunities. In a rural region with few designated places for women to gather and support each other, the growth and support of CPPT is essential. Our work—creating CAD models, a budget breakdown, and an operational plan—will help make CPPT’s vision a reality. Additionally, we shared our collected data with CPPT to aid in future decisions and left them with resources to find a funder. A community kitchen will contribute to a more powerful, tight-knit, independent, and prepared community of women in Adjuntas and can serve as a model of resilience and empowerment for other organizations across Puerto Rico.