Any suggestions with help for tenants after Ian ...

[cliffside]

I have a rental property on Fort Myers Beach which is no longer livable. As he/they are not citizens there is no help from FEMA, everything they had has been destroyed, they left with their clothes and a few other things. They were original tenants when the property was bought ten years ago. They worked on the beach and bicycled to work. They need jobs and are staying with a friend temporarily off the beach. I'm not sure of their work/immigration status, I just know they have been great tenants and I would like to help. Even though their place was a ground floor unit they stayed during Ian, only survived because they broke into an upstairs unit in the same building which the tenants had evacuated.
Appreciate any suggestions, they are looking for work and a more permanent location. Thank you in advance.

[SheltieLover]

1. Call 211 United Way, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services

Red Cross?

Any cultural associations or community centers that might apply to them.

Any that aren't able to help, ask "who might be able to?"

I hope this is helpful.

[cliffside]

2. Thank you!!!

I told them about Red Cross, they said no help. Unfortunately there is a language barrier so I'm not always sure our communication is accurate. You are so correct in asking "who might help." I was always taught to ask, all they can do is say no
I looked at the website that the governor's wife was seeking donations for, they have raised millions of dollars in donations, thought it might be be localized and not discriminate, not very helpful on the surface, but will make a phone call. These are people who work in the kitchen, clean hotel rooms. They just want to work, he called me yesterday, said he had a one day day job cleaning up in a hotel on FMB. I was on the beach last week, there are so many toxins and many looking for cheap labor, I told him to be very careful. Wish I could do more

Thank you again.

[SheltieLover]

4. Poor people. Ty for trying to help them.

If they are undocumented, they are probably terrified to reach out for help.

Is there a community center for their ethnicity? They will not only be able to communicate with them but might very well have others willing to provide at least part of the resources they need. Maybe someone has an extra room?

Also, think of social service and disaster relief agencies as mostly providing specific types of help, so when you call ask what resources they have to help people.

Salvation Army might have clothing & food, while Catholic Charities might be able to help with deposits to help them get utilities set up in their new apartment, etc. etc.

Also ask if there are churches providing any sort of assistance. Some might know of families with an extra room where your tenants can stay & get hot meals.

Social services is a huge network & they know who has what to offer.

Yikes! The toxins on that beach must be horrific. I hope employers are providing the appropriate protective equipment to workers!

My heart goes out to them.

Ty for reaching out to help them!

[cliffside]

8. You hit the nail on the head ...

undocumented workers are scared to reach out for help. People just want cheap labor and are willing to look to other way when convenient for their bottom line. I think they have temporary housing, just need some income. Many workers on the beach did not have a car, mode of transportation was bike to work.
It will be a different life for them now.

Thank you for caring

[SheltieLover]

10. That's so awful.

They will likely be more receptive to receiving hdlp from an ethnic community organization, if there is one in your area. Presuming it hasn't been infiltrated with magas.

[cliffside]

11. Agree, local ethnic communities will help

I think they are getting some help with temp housing through friends. It is Florida though, maybe Martha's Vineyard is in their sites.

[sprinkleeninow]

3. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services

https://www.lirs.org

[SheltieLover]

5. Excellent resource!

[sprinkleeninow]

6. They have helped some people in my locale to get situated and they're

flourishing now in their own businesses.

[SheltieLover]

7. Good to know, although I'm not in FL.

[cliffside]

9. Sounds like a great resource and I will send this link to them ...

so many people who worked on the beach need help, more than I can give them.

Appreciate the reply and hopefully some help.