Walleska Ramirez, who is known as Wally, is someone who those on the East End will get to know more and more as the harsh effects of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to emerge.
Ms. Ramirez has been appointed to the new position of crisis response coordinator by Organizacion Latino-Americana of Eastern Long Island, according to an announcement this week by the nonprofit group.
"We're very happy that we were able to do that, and that we found someone as great as Wally," Minerva Perez, OLA's executive director, said by phone on Tuesday. "We brought her on as a result of the uptick we were seeing in Covid-related issues."
Ms. Ramirez speaks both English and Spanish and comes to OLA after holding several different positions in the health care administration field. Ms. Perez called her "bright, caring, charming, and positive," and said she will be doing hands-on and on-the-ground work to help people in need.
The position is funded by donations and grants, Ms. Perez explained, including one from the Long Island Community Foundation. "The Covid-19 recovery period is going to be longer than anyone hopes," she said. "We all jump in when we have to, but we're looking at our long-term goals and plans."
In its announcement, OLA said the pandemic has exacerbated difficulties in obtaining food, accessing transportation, and attending school, among other problems that the Latinx community and others here face.
"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," the announcement said. "OLA expects to see an increase in need as the winter months approach."
Ms. Ramirez said in a statement that she is looking forward to connecting and developing a trusting relationship with OLA's families. "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," she said. "Being able to help the Latino community gives me a sense of accomplishment and a sense of pride."
