Good Neighboor volunteer takes pride in helping homeless
Published: March 21, 2005
Tina Hernandez sorted through used clothing on Thursday , volunteering her time just as he has done for the last 30 years.
The clothes will be sent to the Good Neighbor Settlement House, where she has volunteered for eight years.
Located on East Tyler Street between East 12th and East 13th streets near downtown Brownsville, Good Neighbor is one of the few places in Brownsville where the homeless and poor receive hot meals and a shower.
Hernandez is proud to be part of that cause.
“I thank the Lord that I still can do this,” Hernandez said while hanging clothes recently donated to Good Neighbor. “I’ve been a housewife most of my life so I have a lot of my time to volunteer in the community.”
Hernandez, 67, does volunteer work at least twice a week, putting in between 35 and 40 hours every month.
She works at the Good Neighbor thrift store, office and kitchen and also makes quilts and sells them to raise funds for the charity organization.
“You don’t get to sit home and do nothing,” said Hernandez. “I love Good Neighbor because of the people that we serve. We feed and clothe the homeless. It gives me a lot of satisfaction.”
Born and raised in Brownsville, Hernandez said she has lived in the Buena Vida neighborhood a good part of her life.
“I have a lot of friends and made a lot of friendships here,” Hernandez said. “I’m here for a lot of people who need a friendly word or friendly advice.”
Hernandez began to do volunteer work while attending El Buen Pastor Methodist Church.
“Good Neighbor originated from the church so I always thought of doing volunteer work here,” Hernandez said.
Before she joined Good Neighbor, Hernandez volunteered for nursing homes.
“We had volunteers from different churches,” Hernandez said.
Good Neighbor Executive Director Carlos Gomez said Hernandez is among the organization’s most valued volunteers.
“She’s a valuable volunteer who has been here longer than I have,” said Gomez.
“She’s a special and genuine person. She’s very compassionate and very understanding.”
Hernandez lives with her husband David. They have nearly two dozen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
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