Global Empowerment Mission helps hurricane victims (includes video story)

Although thousands of Southwest Floridians are homeless and without power due to Hurricane Ian, Global Empowerment Mission is aiding them every day. 

The mission is a non-profit, disaster-relief organization currently helping victims of the Ukraine crisis, Pakistan floods, Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico and Hurricane Ian here in Florida. G.E.M. sends several trucks daily full of supplies to Florida’s west coast. Among the cargo is non-perishable food, drinks, diapers, batteries, toiletries and even mattresses. 

Sofia Gomez, a G.E.M. volunteer, said, “It doesn’t cost me anything, I have the time to do it and I think in times like this when disasters happen, we should all come together.”

The non-profit organization accepts 50 to 60 volunteers per day, welcomes drop-off donations and is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as well as Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Nicole Ardila

Nicole Ardila is a digital broadcasting major at FIU, also pursuing a minor in psychology. She's reported for Caplin News from Washington, D.C. for an NBCU Academy Fellowship and directed the Opinion section for FIU’s student media, PantherNOW. In the future, she hopes to become a photojournalist and producer for documentaries/film to share important stories from across the world.

Claudia Morales

Claudia Morales is a junior FIU student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Digital Communications/Broadcasting. She obtained an associates degree in Mass Communications/Journalism from Miami Dade College. She served as a photographer for The Reporter, the student newspaper at Miami Dade College. She also studied abroad in France and Italy, where she acquired knowledge about globalized media.