Hecho With Corazón Profiles No. 6 — Dr. Anderson Torres Ortiz
The Hecho With Corazón™ Profiles recognizes those who inspire us and exemplify the best of Latino culture.
These are real people who put their heart into everything they do.
We celebrate them by sharing their answers to three thought-provoking questions.
COVID-19 special
Recent news reports that Covid-19 does not discriminate and affects People of Color at a disproportionate rate. Through our Hecho With Corazón™ Profile series, we are featuring unselfish Latinos that are putting themselves at risk to assist others in their journey through this pandemic. Today, we honor Dr. Anderson Torres Ortiz, the CEO of R.A.I.N Total Care Inc. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Anderson and his home attendants’ determination to help has not stopped. They continue to provide meals on wheels to meet the growing demand of homebound seniors across the five New York City boroughs. And, through a separate mobile food truck program “Cucina Dolores," Anderson and his team have been able to feed 500 more people a day — and through a recent grant from United Health Care — the organization is now able to expand the program to include weekends.
This commitment to helping others doesn’t come without a cost. Anderson has lost staff to COVID-19 in addition to seniors in his programs. But that doesn’t stop him. His dedication to the cause continues. Anderson hosted the first Zoom Memorial Service sponsored by a not for profit with diverse representation of faith based leaders, including Male, Female, Hispanic, African American, South East Asian, Christian, Jewish and, the LGBTQ community. He has also started a Postcard initiative that aims to cheer homebound seniors and their caregivers with a simple note of love and compassion. As we write this, he is actively looking to partner with the NYC Board of Education so that children can also become involved and make notecards to the homebound.
Dr. Anderson Torres Ortiz is a native of Ponce Puerto Rico who arrived in the Bronx, New York at the age of four. From his early recollection, his parents wanted him to become a doctor and so he did. Dr. Torres became an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service in his twenties. His professional career in mental health began shortly graduating with his Masters in Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Seventeen years later, he became the first in his family to receive a doctoral degree in the field of Psychology with a focus on Alzheimer's disease given his maternal grandmother's journey with this illness. He is currently the President and CEO of RainInc.org, a not for profit community based organization addressing the social determinants of health and inequity. Dr. Torres also serves on the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council and on the Establishment and Project Review Committee and Vice Chair of the Public Health Committee.
WHAT DRIVES YOU TO GET OUT OF BED AND DO WHAT YOU DO EVERY MORNING?
A commitment to help others and be of service to my community. This was ingrained since early childhood and saw how my parents worked hard to give us a better life. My household was primarily Spanish speaking.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOUR TRUE PASSION AND PURPOSE?
I was at a crossroads in making a professional decision pertaining to my current place of employment, now there six years. I prayed to God for an answer, to which he responded and I decided to transition into my role at R.A.I.N.
WHAT IS YOUR HOPE FOR THE NEXT LATINO GENERATION?
For a strong evolution of talent that understands the importance of mentorship and a commitment to help others seeking skill development. For honesty, loyalty and allegiance to cultural values in a new and evolved era.
Dr. Anderson, we applaud and recognize your efforts. Thank you for sharing your story and allowing us to recognize the great work you and your organization are doing, not just today during the pandemic, but everyday. You truly are #hechowithcorazon.
