provided to The Santiva Chronicle
FISH OF SANCAP continues to provide hope for individuals and families in crisis, offering a wide range of services designed to meet the needs of those experiencing unexpected hardships.
One client shares her journey with FISH. “I’m a single mom with a 12-year-old son who’s been working as a server on the islands my entire adult life,” said Sarah, which is not her real name.
“My journey with FISH began with the devastating Island Cow fire. You never thought your job and income source could vanish overnight, but it did. I wasn’t ready for it,” she said.
Sarah quickly found a new job on the island, but it was not opening for a month, pushing back her start date. She chose to wait.
Then, Hurricane Ian hit the area. Even though her apartment didn’t suffer much damage, Sarah explained that her career as a server on Sanibel and Captiva was completely wiped out.
Hurricane Ian severely disrupted the area’s restaurant industry, with many restaurants left damaged or destroyed, significantly affecting the local economy.
“After Ian, I found myself without a job again,” said Sarah. “I had no one to turn to and no backup income, so I was truly grateful for FISH’s support.”
“Since the hurricane, I’ve started six jobs, but none offered enough business to support a decent living. I’ve tried and struggled for two years,” said Sarah.
Sarah explained that restaurants were reducing her schedule to one day a week if she was on the schedule at all.
“I was referred to FISH, which has been there to give me a hand up and help me keep moving forward by covering some of my rent and utilities,” she said.
Sarah has also used the FISH Food Pantry, calling it a “much-needed, loved, and appreciated resource that Sanibel is truly fortunate to have.”
Sarah’s story is just one example of how FISH’s wrap-around services have significantly impacted the lives of those in crisis. The organization addresses immediate needs like rent and food assistance and helps clients build a more stable future through educational and job training scholarships.
Although some restaurants have reopened since the storm, the slow tourist season has led to an increase in the number of people seeking assistance from FISH programs.
“We understand that life can change instantly, and we are here to help our community members through those difficult times,” said FISH Executive Director Maria Espinoza.
“Whether providing emergency assistance, connecting individuals to job opportunities, or offering food assistance, our goal is to empower our clients to overcome challenges and thrive,” Espinoza said.
For additional information on the FISH organization and its programs and services, contact Espinoza at 239-472-4775 or visit its website at http://www.fishofsancap.org.
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