Written by Helene Flaxbeard, American Red Cross Public Affairs

The American Red Cross is responding to a new era of repetitive disaster response for vulnerable communities by creating the Community Adaptation Program (CAP). CAP partners with hyper-local nonprofits to build capacity, and one of these local partners is Organización Internacional de Latinos en el Exterior (O.I.L.E.) in North Fort Myers, Florida.

O.I.L.E.’s mission is to empower underserved Hispanic women through Healing Stitches, a therapeutic program that provides social services, educational programs, health initiatives, and community outreach. 

“We are proud to partner with the American Red Cross,” said Lucy Garcia, founder and CEO. “That is one of the best things that has happened.” 

When a disaster occurs, the Red Cross provides information about which organizations to trust and where to go for recovery services.  Pre-disaster, Lucy had introduced Astoria Aviles, Red Cross Community Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinator, to her community so the partnership was solidly in place when back-to-back hurricanes impacted nearby communities.

Many of O.I.L.E.’s clients experienced flooding in their homes during the Hurricane Helene disaster. Lucy provided the Red Cross with information about key neighborhoods in need of services. Because of these trusted relationships, meals and disaster emergency supplies were quickly distributed in those neighborhoods. 

When Hurricane Milton made landfall just fifteen days later, many families experienced a second impact. Lucy received calls from her clients asking for cleaning supplies and the Red Cross provided O.I.L.E. with emergency clean-up kits containing mops, detergents and gloves. 

“The Red Cross provides boots on the ground to bring food, water, and every single thing our community needs -- not just Latinos, but anyone in need.”