We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mario Torres a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Mario , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Initially, by accident, as a matter of fact I tried not to start this. Eventually, I felt like this was my calling. Kathy, the Director of the Board says, “I don’t think there is anyone else in the world that can do what you do.”
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Rescate Playas Borinquen Organization began as a community service initiative by me, Mario Torres on my birthday July 31, 2013 and was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization with the State Department on August 26, 2014. On the initial day in July, I told my friends to “gift me there time instead of presents”. We have been continually operating ever since!
After years of watching my community become more and more abandoned, I decided to transfer my negative energy of complaining to a positive energy of change. From November 2012 through July of 2013, for 9 months, I tried to engage every governmental agency to seek formal approval to start to rehabilitate and maintain the area. I started in the Mayor’s office and finished at the mayor’s office. After no success, I went back to the mayor’s office and he gave me verbal permission. ( In Puerto Rico, verbal permission is tantamount to a legally binding agreement.)
The organization’s mission is to restore former Ramey Air Force Base’s 642 acre recreational area and protect nature (Surfer’s Beach, Borinquen Beach, Las Ruinas and Wilderness Areas). Our organization’s vision is to create Puerto Rico’s North West Ecological & Recreational Corridor with community center.
Rescate Playas Borinquen believes there is a strong correlation between people’s health & wellbeing, the local economy, and the recreational and natural areas we have adopted and care for. On August 9, 2020 Law Resolution 709 was passed on our behalf…
RC 709 mandates Rescate Playas Borinquen have the legal & administrative authority over the 642 acre area. After 8+ years of interacting with the government, this law was unanimously passed in the House of Representatives, Senate and signed by Gov. Wanda Vazquez of Puerto Rico! Thank you Rep. Wilson Roman.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think the biggest quality is my sense of duty, in addition to that, it is commitment and consistency. My best advice is for people to become fully aware of what it is they are signing up for before they fully commit.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I would not label this is directly as a “who”, but more like a “what”. I attribute my perseverance to my community that has held me up and spurred me to go on throughout this journey. It is for them and because of them that I am able to bear this burden.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rescateplayasborinquen.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rescateplayasborinquen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rescateplayasborinquen/
- Twitter: RPBQN
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rescateplayasborinquen2678
Image Credits
n/a
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
