Resource fair helps Hurricane Maria victims get back on their feet

<p>Hurricane Maria evacuees continue to struggle months after the storm struck the island of Puerto Rico.</p>

News 12 Staff

Mar 24, 2018, 5:24 PM

Updated 2,225 days ago

Share:

Hurricane Maria evacuees continue to struggle months after the storm struck the island of Puerto Rico.
A resource fair has been set up at Hostos Community College to help families with job searches, health care and social services.
Thousands of families have had to leave everything they knew and loved behind in order to migrate from Puerto Rico here to New York.

Puerto Rico was pounded by both Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September, which disrupted the power grid, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without electricity or easy access to food.
Although progress has been made with more than 90 percent electricity restored on the island, according to FEMA, families who had their homes destroyed need help transitioning to life on the mainland.
At the resource fair, families can receive real time assistance with FEMA applications.
The federal agency has helped displaced families with a temporary housing program in the states, which has been extended until May. However, relief groups are looking to give these families a permanent solution.

Families also have access to mental health screenings. Suicide rates have reportedly gone up in Puerto Rico since the hurricane. Puerto Rico had a compromised state of mental health even before the hurricane because of economic decline.


More from News 12
1:55
Authorities: 41-year-old man killed by his own dog in Longwood

Authorities: 41-year-old man killed by his own dog in Longwood

2:03
Home Depot customers weigh in on recent stretch of bad encounters

Home Depot customers weigh in on recent stretch of bad encounters

1:55
Sunny with mild temperatures for New York City today; tracking weekend rain

Sunny with mild temperatures for New York City today; tracking weekend rain

2:13
MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

0:56
Bronx nature-lovers celebrate arrival of cherry blossoms

Bronx nature-lovers celebrate arrival of cherry blossoms

0:30
Coney Island named a top 25 U.S. beach in Travel + Leisure

Coney Island named a top 25 U.S. beach in Travel + Leisure

1:46
NYPD: 2nd suspect linked to killing of 17-year-old in Morrisania at large

NYPD: 2nd suspect linked to killing of 17-year-old in Morrisania at large

1:43
See what's happening across the Bronx the weekend of April 27-28

See what's happening across the Bronx the weekend of April 27-28

1:59
6-year-old girl from the Bronx making, selling custom T-shirts for Mother's Day

6-year-old girl from the Bronx making, selling custom T-shirts for Mother's Day

0:29
Where to drop off your prescription drugs safely in the Bronx for National Take Back Day

Where to drop off your prescription drugs safely in the Bronx for National Take Back Day

0:27
Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

1:55
Tribute held for survivors and victims of high-profile violent Bronx crimes

Tribute held for survivors and victims of high-profile violent Bronx crimes

0:24
Councilmember Marmorato meets with Home Depot staff to discuss security measures

Councilmember Marmorato meets with Home Depot staff to discuss security measures

2:03
Council Member Sanchez introduces building inspection, integrity bills after Billingsley Terrace collapse

Council Member Sanchez introduces building inspection, integrity bills after Billingsley Terrace collapse

1:34
MTA rolls out multibillion-dollar plan to protect transit system from major storms

MTA rolls out multibillion-dollar plan to protect transit system from major storms

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:30
Gov. Hochul announces funding to aid flood-prone communities

Gov. Hochul announces funding to aid flood-prone communities

1:35
NYPD: Multiple armed suspects wanted for string of robberies on Bronx train

NYPD: Multiple armed suspects wanted for string of robberies on Bronx train

2:02
Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

0:05
Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100