Economic Development / Center for Working Families

Fiordaliza Fernandez-Urena came to HUF, sometimes on foot, after walking for more than an hour with the youngest of her two children. She was a single mother with a small toddler, a preschool-age child, living with her sister and cleaning homes to survive.  She relied on the bus or others for transportation and without childcare there was little she could do to jump start her career. She had dreams, but they were on hold.

Jeffrey Garcia began the Center for Working Families (CWF) program in March of 2013 in need of assistance with childcare and food. Caring for his children had prevented him from enrolling in a program to improve his interviewing skills.  After attending coaching sessions with his career coach, Jeffrey was able to apply for a government position and through Hispanic Unity’s CWF Program. In addition,  he was able to secure full-time childcare for his daughter at a very low cost, and enroll in the free FIU “Learning Skills for Life” Program.

Joanna Regueira joined the Center for Working Families (CWF) program in October 2012 hoping to improve her employment and financial situation. She had three goals: to purchase a newer car and obtain financial aid to finish her degree. Long-term, her big dream is to purchase a home for herself and her children. Joanna attended the CWF workshops. She did not miss a single career or financial coaching appointment. As an added bonus, she was referred to the VITA program at Hispanic Unity to complete her 2012 taxes.