I worked in one of the hospitals down there in PBC. Every single day, there were non-English-speaking aliens sitting in our hospital rooms, waiting for someone to come and translate what was going on. Once communication took place in their language, social services would show up with cards upon cards for free meals, free cab rides, free bus tickets, free long distance, free new and lightly used clothing from the social worker’s “closet,” free local “assistance” with rent payments or “assistance” establishing an address, and on and on and on. Not to mention, the FREE medical they were provided. It was always lovely to watch all of the “uncles” and “aunts” and “brothers” etc. who would also show up in the room quiet and despondent, also receiving vouchers, yet in the elevator or in front of the hospital waiting for their taxi they were all gabbing away in their language with smiles and hugs. Oh, how their lives improved tenfold!
Same here in this area... and I despise it!
LLS