OLA Hires New Crisis Coordinator In Response To Coronavirus

EAST END, NY — The pandemic has sparked a surge of need on the East End.

To that end, Organización Latino-Americana of Eastern Long Island, or OLA, recently hired a new crisis response coordinator in anticipation of extended COVID recovery time for the area's most vulnerable, a release said.

Walleska “Wally” Ramirez joined OLA as its new bilingual crisis response and recovery coordinator, a position the organization created in April to address the "unprecedented increase in community members’ needs related to healthcare, economic, education, food, and transportation hardships caused by COVID-19," OLA said.

Many local immigrant residents are not eligible for any benefits from government COVID-relief programs, although their work is an integral, essential part of the East End economy, OLA said.

Since the start of the pandemic, OLA has been working to meet the needs of local families in mixed status homes and fully documented homes — an effort overseen by the crisis response and recovery coordinator — through activating its volunteer network to shop for and deliver groceries to people with no transportation and limited or no income, the release said.

In addition, OLA provides supermarket gift cards to people who have lost their jobs due to COVID; acts as a liaison to local schools for parents to navigate remote learning; and advocates for medical access for families struggling with physical and mental health needs, OLA said.

At the height of the pandemic, OLA was serving 90 households, including 250 children, and continues to serve 60 families, with new families regularly being added to the organization’s list, Minerva Perez, OLA's executive director, said.

"OLA expects to see an increase in need as the winter months approach," the release said.

"Ramirez brings a wealth of relevant experience to this position, having worked previously in several different capacities in the field of health care, including in pediatric offices. She has experience with healthcare management, office administration and systems management, health insurance navigation, and, most importantly, she knows how to communicate with people in need in a compassionate way," the release added.

Ramirez reflected on her new position: “I am happy to be part of the OLA team. I look forward to connecting with our clients and families and developing a trusting relationship with them. With dedication, compassion, and empathy, my goal is to provide support and attempt to remove common obstacles to care such as transportation problems and lack of awareness of funding and support options. Being able to help the Latino community gives me a sense of accomplishment and a sense of pride.”