The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
AGENCIES WELCOME DISPLACED FAMILIES
El Centro logs at least 209 families from Puerto Rico
Lorain County leaders say they welcome families who were forced to leave their homes in when Hurricane Maria pummeled Puerto Rico.
Six months after the storm slammed the island, leaders of county social service agencies gathered to introduce a new website designed as a resource for families newly arriving in Lorain County. And they are coming. In the last six months, El Centro de Servicios Sociales Inc. has logged 209 families, with 286 adults and 215 children, using programs of the Spanish-language social service agency.
The number likely is undercounted because of Puerto Rican families that have arrived,
but have not needed El Centro or have not heard of it yet, said Executive Director Victor Leandry.
On March 19, Leandry hosted at least 30 people who gathered to explain the range of services available for the families.
They can get started on Bienvenidos a Lorain, a new website hosted by Lorain County Community College.
The website offers information about El Centro and a host of other resources ranging from health care, transportation and housing to churches, stores, banks and festivals.
“We want our American brothers and sisters of Puerto Rico to know that we welcome you and we stand ready to help you,” said Lorain County Commissioner Matt Lundy. “We are proud to be home to the International City, Lorain, and proud of the thousands of Puerto Rican families who make our community a better place and are proud to call Lorain and Lorain County their home.”
Other speakers included Lorain County Workforce Development Director Mike Longo; Lorain City Schools CEO David Hardy Jr.; Lorain County Board of Mental Health Kathleen Kern; the Rev. Bill Thaden, pastor of Sacred Heart Chapel in South Lorain; and LCCC President Marcia Ballinger.
They and El Centro welcomed three listeners: Carmen Santiago, Naiomy Morales and Stephanie Rivera, three women who moved to Lorain from Puerto Rico.
Santiago moved to Lorain about 18 months ago seeking a better life for her family.
Morales was in Puerto Rico when Hurricane Maria hit, and Rivera arrived in the city March 15.
Morales described the devastation she left, and Santiago talked about what she saw when she visited the island in December.
The women spoke through El Centro translator Anabel Barron, who also is a case worker for the agency.
Many places have not had electricity since the storm, they said.
Santiago said communications with her parents have been minimal, with many people having to travel to San Juan, the capital, to get cellular phone service.
“My family lost everything,” said Santiago, 39, who moved to Lorain with her husband, Samuel Vargas, and their children, daughter Cristina, 8, and Samuel Jr., 5.
Morales, 32, and her 8-year-old son arrived in Lorain in November to stay with her aunt.
“It was very dramatic,” Morales said.
The hurricane has changed the lives of many, many people, she said.
“It was very scary and at
one point; I thought that we were going to die,” Morales said.
Morales said she understands English, but has trouble speaking and writing it, making it almost impossible to get a job.
She and Santiago are in English classes offered by LCCC at El Centro.
They encouraged anyone who has moved due to the hurricane damage to come to El Centro for counseling, connections to Lorain Schools and English language lessons.
“I really thank God for letting me get to know El Centro, because here, they will help you connect with local services that you need,” including housing and classes in computers and parenting, Santiago said.
“They have a friendly hand,” she said. “We’ve become like a big family. That’s the way they make me feel.
“And thanks to them, because we have (been) traumatized with this event, we’re able to move forward with our lives.”
Even as Puerto Rico rebuilds, Morales and Santiago said they plan to stay in Lorain.
“Even if I wanted to (return), I couldn’t because I truly believe that Puerto Rico is never going to be the same, because it was massive destruction and it will take years,” Morales said. “I don’t think taking my child back there to Puerto Rico, he will not get the services that he needs.”