Group’s new programs assist island evacuees
A national conservative group is launching a series of new outreach programs today in Orlando to help Puerto Ricans dislocated by Hurricane Maria.
The Libre Institute plans to hold twice-weekly programs at its South Semoran Boulevard office as part of the Puerto Rican Outreach Project, designed to “effectively reach the Puerto Rican community with assistance in their transition process, [and] plug them into opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency,” according to its statement.
The institute is part of the Libre Initiative funded by the billionaire Koch brothers, who have been some of the biggest donors to conservative causes and Republican candidates across the country.
The programs include an Occupational Licensing Workshop to assist transplants with acquiring permits to continue their jobs in a new state; job readiness training to help with resumes, interviews and connections; and a “Welcome to Florida” workshop to get people acclimated with housing applications and education enrollment.
Another program will provide English lessons, said David Velasquez, who runs the program.
“It’s very difficult coming to a new state,” Velasquez said. “Coming from an island with a different way of living, you need to learn the language to understand how things work.”
People interested in the program will also visit a bilingual website with a list of information on how to get started in business in Florida, he added.
“People don’t understand how to get started,” Velasquez said. “In our free market system, we have to educate people on a free society and what it looks like. A lot of folks are coming with absolutely nothing.”
The Libre Initiative website includes videos criticizing “big government,” and thanks U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio for supporting the Republican tax bill.
But Daniel Garza, the chairman of the Libre Institute, said Charles and David Koch are only two of hundreds of backers of the initiative.
“We’re proud to be associated with Charles and David, and I’m not trying to disassociate myself,” Garza said. “People do that as clickbait, putting ‘Koch brothers’ in front of everything we do. That’s fine. … But we don’t apologize for advancing the principles of economic freedom, not now, not ever.”
As U.S. citizens, Puerto Ricans can register to vote immediately upon establishing residence in Florida, and most tend to lean Democratic or independent.
But, institute spokesman Wadi Gaitan said, “this is not is voter outreach. We’re not promoting a political party or doing political advocacy.”
The Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group barred from political activities.
Garza did not have the exact amount the initial program would cost but estimated it was about $100,000. If successful, the program could be expanded to Tampa and Miami.
Exact times and other details of the programs were not available Monday, but will be available this week at thelibreinstitute.org/ events/ or by calling 407-558-8810. The programs will be held at 5732 S. Semoran Blvd.
The number of Puerto Ricans
who have come to Florida since Maria in September is in dispute. Gov. Rick Scott uses the figure of 300,000 based on the number of people who’ve flown into the major airports, while University of Florida economists estimate the number is closer to 50,000, based on school enrollments and requests for state aid.