Local leaders aim to help Hurricane Maria victims from Puerto Rico

UCF hosts symposium, accepts students

ORLANDO, Fla. – Local leaders continue to work together to find resources and help for Puerto Rico victims affected from Hurricane Maria. 

On Thursday, the University of Central Florida hosted a symposium to discuss ways to help moving forward. 

City leaders in and around Central Florida knew there was going to be an influx of Puerto Ricans seeking Florida as a safe space after Hurricane Maria hit. 

"We have very little food, very little water. So, we need a lot of help," said Nicole Morales. 

Before the hurricane hit, Morales was enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico. 

She has only been in Central Florida for four days. Luckily, her dad lives in the area. It eliminates one less worry in a sea of so many, including fears for her family members who are still on the island. 

"She (mom) didn't want to go because she has everything there. Her family, my grandparents are there. So, they don't want to go because they think they have work to do there," Morales said. 

UCF has welcomed her to continue her schooling. Thursday, it was a pow wow of leaders to talk about what's next and what resources are available to help.

"I don't know what is going to happen. We have been trying to help as much as we can. The shelters are full. The low-income assistance program is assiting right now," said Ana Cruz with the city of Orlando and coordinator with HOLA. 

Cruz has spent her time at the Orlando International Airport assisting people as soon as they get off their flights from Puerto Rico. 

"When they get here and when they arrive we are guiding them to the services as to what they have to do and where they can get the help that they need," Cruz said. 

Those services include how to apply to schools, health care needs and getting an I.D. card. 

The station is located at OIA at Terminal A, Level One. 

Frances G. Ortiz Molina, executive director of the Federal Affairs Administration - Florida also works with Puerto Rico's governor. 

She is working to create a job fair in the next month or so to help victims find work.


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