When Hurricane Maria first hit the island of Puerto Rico in September 2017, no one knew its impact would continue even today.
When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the U.S. in February of 2020, no one knew its impact would last not a few weeks or a few months but well into 2021.
Only the God who brings beauty from ashes could take two such catastrophic events and put them together for good. And that’s exactly what happened when two diocesan churches – Jesús de Nazaret and St. John the Baptist – worked together to meet the many needs resulting from both disasters.
Hurricane Maria carried with it a special set of challenges for the Diocese of Central Florida. As the ongoing crises caused by the worst natural disaster in the island territory’s history continued, nearly 300,000 people fled to the mainland. On top of the number who relocate in normal times, Central Florida absorbed a huge number of additional immigrants.
Among the expanding displaced community, needs for housing, jobs, food and other assistance remain. The Rev. José Rodriguez of Jesús de Nazaret and The Rev. Charles T. Myers of St. John the Baptist have led their diverse congregations in uniting to provide ongoing services and support.
One of the hospitality industry workers who lost her job during the pandemic was Myers’ wife, Monique, formerly a recruiter at one of Orlando’s major resorts, which closed down in March 2020. After receiving a grant designed to help workers laid off as a result of the pandemic using resources and facilities of both churches, Rodriguez appointed her to help manage the project’s job training program.
The first three-month phase of the program provided income and resources to train the initial participants affected by the pandemic. The second three-month phase, funded by a new grant, will run from July through September. It will be used to formulate ongoing curriculum and services to help the rapidly growing Puerto Rican community and will include paid training and other resources for 50 people to complete the program.
The scope of the help offered in this new program includes COVID vaccinations (over 5,500 so far), food and cultural assistance, Monique said. Participants will receive support for language skills as well as acclimation to the changes inherent to the transition from Puerto Rico to the mainland along with another key element: job training. This will include resume writing, interview training, advancement of technical skills and development of personal marketing skills.
“One mom came to Florida from Puerto Rico to work as an Uber driver to get enough money to be able to bring her children stateside,” Monique said. “It took her the better part of a year. People are coming to plant roots, but acclimation is challenging. We are trying to help people move out of limbo to make a life here.”
As for Monique herself, as this article went to press, she received an unexpected phone call: Her former employer offered her the opportunity to return to her old job. But she turned it down. Instead, she will use her gifts and passion to continue advancing the kingdom, cooperating with God in bringing the beauty of ministry from the ashes of disaster.
For more information on how you can help, contact Monique Myers at mrsmoniquemyers@gmail.com.