Six days. Five nights. One mission.

After seeing the devastation Hurricane Maria left behind in Puerto Rico, with financial support from the Dallas Mavericks Foundation, Volunteers of America Texas sent a team of staff members to assist with recovery efforts. The following staff members left their families and work responsibilities to help those affected by the storm: Beanca Williams, Houston IDD director; Nina Berry, counselor; Nestor Martinez, employment specialist; Linda Sullivan, employment specialist; Yvonne Coronado, service coordinator and Eugenia Jacobo, child development specialist.

Over the course of one week, the team assisted with assembling, unloading and delivering bags by Home Depot. Our bi-lingual staff members were able to serve as interpreters for nurses and help with intakes. Some of the staff brought backpacks filled with school supplies to the storm damaged territory and passed them out to local children.

“Leaving was very bittersweet. We completed our assignment, but saying goodbye was very sad. It was a very memorable trip for everyone. We saw things we’ve never seen before, felt things we’ve never felt before and most of which will never forget,” said Yvonne Corondo, who captured all of the images shared from their trip.

Going wherever we are needed and doing whatever comes to hand was the pledge of Volunteers of America’s founders more than 120 years ago. Those sentiments still hold true and reside in the hearts of staff members today.