Born from family. Built for community.
The VelRod Charity exists because two Dominican families decided to never forget where they came from.
Improve the lives of underserved children and families in the Dominican Republic.
We focus on children in rural and under-resourced communities — the countryside, small towns, and villages that don't make the news. Our work addresses the most basic, urgent needs: education, food, clean water, clothing, hygiene, and access to opportunity.
The name VelRod comes from Veloz and Rodriguez — the two families who started this work. What began as informal trips carrying supplies to children in the Dominican countryside has grown into a sustained effort that has reached over 850 children across multiple communities over five years.
We believe in practical, direct impact over performative charity. We don't operate with a savior complex. We show up, we listen, we deliver resources, and we come back. That consistency is what builds trust — and trust is what makes real change possible.
Drive by drive.
Every Back-to-School drive we have held, in order.
- 2023
La Vega
Back-to-School Drive · July 2023
239 children
- 2025
Nagua
Back-to-School Drive · 2025
About 100 children
- 2025
La Vega
Back-to-School Drive · September 2025
225 children · 27 volunteers
- 2026
La Vega
Back-to-School Drive · August 15, 2026
300+ children · 25 volunteers
Principles over optics.
These aren't slogans. They're how we make decisions.
Dignity First
Every interaction respects the communities we serve. We don't create dependency — we create partnership.
Show Up Consistently
One trip isn't a relationship. We return to the same communities, building trust over years, not events.
Transparency Always
75 cents of every dollar goes directly to programs. We show receipts, share outcomes, and don't hide behind vague impact claims.
Lean Operations
We keep overhead low and execution high. No bloated admin. No unnecessary bureaucracy. Resources reach people.
The people behind the work.
A lean team with deep roots in the communities we serve.
Fausto "Trey" Rodriguez
Executive Director & Treasurer
Strategy, finance, compliance, and the driving force behind VelRod's growth from family effort to structured nonprofit.
Sobeida Veloz
Board Chair & Events/Logistics Lead
Board governance, event planning, DR logistics, procurement, and community partnerships.
Josephine Veloz
Board Secretary & Head of Fundraising & Volunteers
Donor stewardship, volunteer management, safeguarding, and fundraising campaigns.
Tiffany Rodriguez
Event & Volunteer Coordinator
Event planning, volunteer coordination, and on-the-ground logistics.
Our volunteers.
Drive day runs on family, neighbors and friends. Many of them come back every year.
Event Coordinators
Mayra Holguin
Event Coordinator
Wendey Perez
Event Coordinator
Yinet Matias
Event Coordinator
Setup & Distribution
- Venue decoration
- Backpack prep
- Food serving
- Candy
- Clothing
- Grocery bags
- Hygiene kits
- Alejandra Flores
- Eunice Reinoso
- Elizabeth Mendeza
- Yaquelin Lora
- Orquidea Reynoso
- Berkys Reynoso
- Celeste Reynoso
- Patracia Reinoso
- Rosmery Reinoso
- Paula Jimenez
- Miledy Rodriguez
- Adys Veloz
Service, Cleanup & Security
- Table service
- Cleanup
- Security
- Winton Reinoso
- Leo Reinoso
- Saúl Ramirez
- Nicolas Reinoso
- Bienvenido Reinoso
- Raul Reinoso
- Edwar Lora
- Omar Lora
- Rafael Sensión
- Yerald Reinoso
Join us.
Whether you donate, volunteer, or simply share our story — you become part of something real.
Support a Child