Delaware Hispanic Commission helps immigrant families impacted by pandemic

SUSSEX CO., Del. – Community activists in the First State are doing all they can to help single parents in the immigrant community impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s the power of Latinos to help each other,” said Charito Calvachi-Mateyko, a member of the Delaware Hispanic Commission.

According to the Delaware Hispanic Commission, there are many single mothers in the undocumented community who are unable to get the resources they need to make it through the pandemic.

So, they’re depending on lawmakers and the school districts to help out.

“So, anytime that I know of a case, I send an email to the legislators, the senators, the state representatives of that area and the school district’s superintendent,” said Calvachi-Mateyko.

Brennan Clarke, an English Language Learners teacher at the Cape Henlopen School District says taking these steps is critical.

He says he recently learned that one of his student’s mom isn’t able to drive and has to depend on his uncle who recently tested positive for COVID-19.

“The uncle was diagnosed with COVID-19 and had to self-quarantine for 2 weeks, 14 days, so he was unable to leave the house and the family was in essence unable to get the food and things that they need for day to day living,” said Clarke.

In order to help out, the school district quickly came up with creative ways to provide food for this family.

But, Clarke says he believes there are more students facing this type of situation, which is why people like him are working closer with the Hispanic community to help these parents survive the pandemic.

“So, as long as we keep connecting with each other to empower the Latino community that may not have those contacts, well we have,” said Calvachi-Mateyko.

“That’s our job to connect them, to serve them,” said Calvachi-Mateyko.

47ABC also spoke with Republican Representative Ruth Briggs King about these efforts. She says local organizations like La Esperanza in Georgetown have played a critical role in helping to provide more resources for these families.

The Delaware Hispanic Commission says they’re also depending significantly on local Hispanic businesses to help reach out to more families in need.