SEPA Mujer began as a nonprofit in Patchogue, with locations in Huntington and Riverhead, serving immigrant victims of domestic violence in 1993. Last year, they launched one of the first-ever Spanish-speaking 24-hour hotlines. Then, when the pandemic hit, executive director Martha Maffei saw a larger need for help and shifted the hotline to those affected by COVID-19.
Since then, the organization has been fielding calls from hundreds of Spanish-speakers in need of testing, food, shelter, necessities like diapers, help with unemployment and social services, and now, vaccinations.
Through their pop-up vaccination sites, including the YMCA and Congregational Church in Patchogue, in coordination with Suffolk County, Northwell Health and Stony Brook University, SEPA has been able to help vaccinate over 1,000 people since February, Maffei said, explaining the focus on health equity.
“We are really very excited about that. It’s a lot of work,” she said, also mentioning that a lot of the population is unaware how to register online. “We are calling them, registering them and helping them get their vaccinations.”
She and her staff also comfort and educate those who are unsure. Currently, she said, they are focusing on getting restaurant workers vaccinated with popups in Riverhead and Mt. Sinai.
“We have a connection and trust with our community. There are people who don’t have food or work. This is really affecting and impacting our community very badly; I see it every day,” she said of the reasoning behind getting involved. “We have to get vaccinated to protect our family. We are very blessed that people trust us and that we will help out the community. I am very proud of the work we do.”
SEPA’s main staff has about nine, with countless volunteers and caseworkers as well. According to Maffei, the organization is in need of volunteers to help with call lists to provide vaccination appointments to those most in need, and Uber gift cards to get those without transportation to their appointments. Anyone interested in helping the cause can call or email them at: (631) 980-2555 or info@ sepamujer.org.
“They [SEPA] are such a known and trusted part of the community with a pretty big reach in the Latino community,” said Marian Russo, executive director of the Patchogue Village Community Development Agency and chair of the Greater Patchogue COAD (Community Organization Active in Disaster), who has also been volunteering to help vaccinate the underserved population in Patchogue Village. “They do great work.”
“I want to thank SEPA Mujer for stepping up and helping us reach traditionally underserved community members,” said Suffolk County Legislature presiding officer Rob Calarco. “In order to beat this disease, we need to get everyone vaccinated.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here