Our Story
“I was sent to Puerto Rico as a teenager because I was getting into trouble. What felt like punishment at the time became the beginning of a calling that would shape the rest of my life.”
— Edward Rivera
“Growing up, I traveled to Puerto Rico every other year, and every time I left, I felt as if I was leaving behind a piece of my heart. I longed to stay, but I knew I would not be able to financially sustain myself because of the limited economic opportunities on the island.”
— Maribell Rivera
What Began as Discipline Became Destiny
My connection to Puerto Rico began long before Mano Extendida was ever imagined.
My parents left Puerto Rico for Chicago in search of opportunity and a better future for their family. Although I was born and raised in Chicago, Puerto Rico was always a part of my identity.
As a teenager, my life took a difficult turn. After getting into trouble, my parents sent me to Puerto Rico. At the time, it felt like punishment. Looking back, it became one of the most important experiences of my life.
For the next three years, Puerto Rico shaped my heart in ways I never expected. I learned Spanish, experienced the strength of Puerto Rican families, and witnessed the deep sense of community that makes the island so special.
Some of my favorite memories were spent on my grandparents’ land, picking coffee beans directly from the trees and drinking coffee grown by our own family. Those moments taught me the value of connection—to the land, to family, and to community.
Those lessons stayed with me long after I returned to the mainland United States.
A Different Reality
Years later, my wife and I returned to Puerto Rico with a simple dream: purchase land, build a home, and eventually retire on the island we loved.
But during that visit, we saw something we could not ignore.
We met families struggling to find economic opportunity.
We heard stories of young adults leaving Puerto Rico because they believed their future existed somewhere else.
We saw parents saying goodbye to children.
We saw grandparents being left behind.
We saw communities losing future leaders, entrepreneurs, and workers.
Puerto Rico was not losing people because they wanted to leave. Many were leaving because they felt they had no choice.
At the same time, we saw something else.
We saw talent.
We saw resilience.
We saw entrepreneurs with ideas.
We saw communities filled with potential.
What we lacked was not people.
What we lacked was opportunity.
A Calling Greater Than Retirement
That trip changed everything.
What began as a plan to retire in Puerto Rico became a calling to help strengthen Puerto Rico.
We felt God placing a burden on our hearts—not simply to enjoy the island, but to invest in its future.
Instead of asking how we could retire there, we began asking how we could help families stay there.
That calling became Mano Extendida.
Why Mano Extendida?
Mano Extendida means “Extended Hand.”
We believe transformation happens when people extend a hand of opportunity, mentorship, encouragement, and hope.
Our mission is to help create pathways for Puerto Rican families to build stable, sustainable lives without having to leave the island they love.
Through entrepreneurship development, mentorship, leadership training, and community partnerships, we seek to help individuals create opportunity where they already live.
Our Vision
We envision a Puerto Rico where young adults can build businesses, create jobs, raise families, and thrive without being forced to leave their communities.
We believe entrepreneurship, faith, local leadership, and community collaboration can help create that future.
We are building reasons to stay.
We are building opportunities to thrive.
We are building a stronger Puerto Rico—one entrepreneur, one family, and one community at a time.
Meet the Founders
Edward “Eddie” Rivera & Maribel Rivera
Co-Founders, Mano Extendida PR
Edward “Eddie” Rivera and his wife, Maribel Rivera, are the co-founders of Mano Extendida PR.
Married for 34 years and parents of five children, Eddie and Maribel have spent decades building a life centered on faith, family, service, leadership, and helping others move forward.
Together, they are preparing for a major next chapter.
At the end of 2027, Eddie and Maribel plan to leave Chicago and relocate to Puerto Rico. Beginning in 2028, they intend to invest the next season of their lives in helping build Mano Extendida PR on the island and working alongside local leaders, churches, businesses, nonprofits, and communities.
This is not simply an organization they plan to support from a distance.
They are going.
Eddie’s Leadership Background
Eddie is a pastor, entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, and former government leader whose experience spans ministry, business, organizational leadership, and public service.
He served approximately five and a half years at CityLine Bible Church in the Niles, IL area in pastoral and executive leadership and is now helping Chicago West Bible Church serve the Austin community on Chicago’s West Side.
Before entering full-time ministry, Eddie founded and operated First Financial Mortgage Consultants Inc, giving him firsthand experience in entrepreneurship, business development, leadership, team building, and job creation.
He also spent more than thirteen years serving with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he gained extensive experience in leadership, operations, accountability, organizational systems, and team development.
Eddie is also completing a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration & Leadership, with only three classes remaining at Moody Bible Institute.
His experience in ministry, entrepreneurship, government, nonprofit leadership, and organizational management is helping shape the leadership and operational foundation of Mano Extendida PR.
A Shared Calling
For Eddie and Maribel, Mano Extendida PR is deeply personal.
They believe families should not have to leave Puerto Rico simply to find opportunity or build a future.
Their vision is to help reduce systemic poverty and outmigration by creating pathways to economic opportunity through:
Entrepreneurship education • Mentorship • Business development • Economic advancement • Community development
They want to live in Puerto Rico, build relationships, listen to communities, work alongside Puerto Rican leaders, and help strengthen opportunities for individuals and families on the island.
Their goal is not simply to create another program.
Their desire is to help people develop the knowledge, relationships, skills, confidence, and resources necessary to build stronger economic futures.
Why Mano Extendida PR?
Eddie’s background as a pastor and entrepreneur helped shape the model, while Eddie and Maribel’s shared commitment to faith, family, service, and Puerto Rico helped shape the calling behind it.
They believe lasting change requires more than temporary assistance.
It requires opportunity.
It requires relationships.
It requires people willing to invest in others.
And it requires communities working together.
That conviction is at the heart of Mano Extendida PR:
Education → Mentorship → Entrepreneurship → Economic Opportunity → Jobs → Stronger Families → Stronger Communities
Stay. Build. Thrive.
Eddie and Maribel envision a Puerto Rico where more families can say:
“We don’t have to leave Puerto Rico to build a future. We can build one here.”