Hilda Fernandez: CEO leads Camillus House to job training programs with colleges
Hilda M. Fernandez leads Camillus House, a non-profit founded in 1960 to feed and help homeless Cuban immigrants that now serves 34,000 people with over 40 programs and services.
The average available number of beds daily in Miami-Dade County’s entire emergency housing system is 10 to 12, and about 1,100 people sleep on the street. “We report our availability in the morning,” said Ms. Fernandez, “and those beds are gone within two hours.”
The homeless crisis has accelerated due to the cost of housing. Camillus House aims to help the most vulnerable get emergency shelter, food, healthcare, and the services to recover from substances abuse, as well as to receive professional development to achieve independence.
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Of the 1,700 people Camillus House houses nightly, fewer than 300 are in emergency shelter, she said. The bulk are single individuals and families in permanent housing who have moved out of the shelter system and are receiving services.
Mr. Fernandez was vice president for advancement, marketing and communications for St. Thomas University. Before that, she was assistant city manager in Miami Beach, executive director of the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust, and director of the Miami-Dade County Communications Department.
“When people think of Camillus House, they think of a homeless shelter and a soup kitchen, but we do so much more,” she said.
Ms. Fernandez spoke with Miami Today reporter Monica Correa.
Diana Poehleman
August 3, 2023 at 10:17 am
I’ve been in the Camillus House System for at least 5 months and they’ve done nothing for me. There’s no follow through whatsoever. I’ve called every number I can find for Camillus House. My voicemail messages never get returned and lately, I can’t seem to get through on their lines. My calls may go on hold, but after about 5-10 minutes, I’m told to call back by the automated voicemail system and then cut off.
Diana Poehleman
August 3, 2023 at 10:26 am
Well, at least I now know why I haven’t gotten any help from Camillus House. Apparently they only help Cuban immigrants. Why didn’t they just tell me instead of giving me false hope all these months. I know they have received donations since I reached out to them, yet i keep getting passed over. I’m not cuban, latin, or hispanic; they should have just told me. WOW!
Roger Cooper
September 12, 2023 at 3:22 pm
I need to to speak to someone urgent about my case I never meet people so many rude people in my life! I’ve been disrespected, hung up on , lied to etc back in July I went there for help for rental assistance due to eviction which I spoke to a guy name Jonathan who was assigned to my case I brought in all documents needed which he stated he would process after while he told me the rental assistance was approved just waiting on payment. August came around and once again no payment I called several times and finally spoke to him which he stated since he took long he would get approval for aug and July bill once again we waited still no movement. I later found out in September 1st Jonathan was fire due to work reasons and Pricilla Nobel was taking the case now we are here in September still no payment when I called to see why I was told they’re not helping nobody provided me the right information no one had the right case I was then hung up more than once talk to rudely basically nobody could care now I’m in September facing homelessness n final eviction because of this company !!!! I don’t care what legal action I have to get !!