By Dariana Molina, SFL Public Affairs

On October 16, the American Red Cross South Florida Region’s Community Adaptation Program (CAP) proudly honored Lucelina “Lucy” Garcia, founder of Organización International de Latinos en el Exterior (OILE), for her transformative work through the Healing Stitches Program. This recognition celebrates Lucy’s
unwavering commitment to empowering Latina survivors to heal, rebuild, and thrive after crisis.

What began as a few sewing kits has grown into a full-fledged social service hub that stitches together healing, empowerment, and resilience for women who have faced domestic and social crises. Through OILE’s
Healing Stitches initiative, participants gain access to education, health
programs, and emotional support while learning tangible skills that foster
confidence and independence.

“Every stitch is a symbol of survival,” Lucy shared. “When we create together, we reclaim our stories, restore our dignity, and build resilience one thread at a time.”

The Community Adaptation Program (CAP) is a cornerstone of the Red Cross mission in South Florida. Designed to strengthen communities before, during, and after disasters, CAP focuses on community-led resilience and ensuring that preparedness and recovery efforts reflect the unique needs, languages, and cultures of South Florida’s diverse population.

Through grassroots partnerships and local leadership, CAP helps neighborhoods identify vulnerabilities, develop emergency plans, and access life-saving Red Cross services such as disaster preparedness and health and safety education. By working side by side with trusted community organizations like OILE, CAP ensures that every family, regardless of background or income, has the tools to face adversity with strength and dignity.

The partnership between the Red Cross and OILE exemplifies how collaboration can bridge cultural and systemic gaps in emergency response and recovery. OILE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving Latino and immigrant communities, has been a vital partner in reaching families who might otherwise remain outside the safety net of traditional disaster services.

Together, CAP and OILE have hosted bilingual preparedness workshops, connected families with emergency relief resources, and fostered spaces of healing for survivors of trauma. Programs like Healing Stitches don’t just
teach skills, they build community, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.

When you support or volunteer with the American Red Cross, you help make programs like CAP and partnerships like OILE possible. Join us in creating a stronger, more resilient South Florida, one stitch at a time.