R Emily introduced Patricia:
Patricia Orantes
Patricia was born in El Salvador and there she earned her Law Degree. She also has a Master Degree in Competition Law, International Contracts and Regulatory Law from the Freie University of Berlin, in Germany.
After many years of working as a lawyer in El Salvador, she relocated to Northumberland County in 2011, where she got actively involved in activities organized by the Immigration Portal from Northumberland County. She participated in different panels and events related to “The challenges of the Immigration System” as a speaker.
In 2014 she joined The Help Centre, where she has been working as the Executive Director.
Her work at The Help Centre has allowed her to better understand the needs and social service gaps that are real in our community, especially for those that are most vulnerable.
See attached Power Point Presentation from Patricia attached to this Service Wheel.
The Northumberland HELP Centre is a grass roots organization formed in 1983. It is unique to Northumberland County. It became a United Way organization in 1986. It was formed as a result of the decline of manufacturing in the County and the need to support and fill gaps in the system for people.
The help people learn and grow, whether with resumes and job skills or short term support.
Funding is provided through United Way as well as the Federal Government, Northumberland County and private donations.
Their programs and services are geared to helping low income families well being. Their main goal is seeking long term solutions for people through improved money management skills and training, increasing their capacity financially and with decisions.
They provide office services such as faxing and copying. Also translation services.
They also help with beds, vouchers for supplies.
Everyday is different as they seek to help people with issues and problems. New questions arise that have to be figured out.
Through the pandemic they had to shift to meet the needs safely. Now looking to move to more in person meetings.
They help people with both income security and housing security. They have agreements with Utilities to help families manage. They assess the families situation and needs and can possibly help cover costs, but only once every 6 months.
Money management is a large part of what they help people learn, financial literacy, budgeting, action plans and referrals.
Housing is become a crisis with costs going out of reach. This is a big challenge for low income families. Typical rent now $1300 and single person only gets $800 and couple $1100 on welfare. They work with some landlords who provide some units at more affordable prices and HELP assesses need.
They have volunteers who help prepare and submit tax returns for people. In 2021 they helped with 1400 returns.
They help with a lot of seniors who make up a large percentage of their clients. They help them navigate for services, downsizing, shopping and deliveries.
English as a second language is another area they support people with. Since 2015 they run the County's program with 10 volunteer tutors.
In 2021 the helped 4500 people, before pandemic it was 9000. About 10% of the County's population.