Puerto Rican evacuees hunting for jobs

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - If you walk into Sheila Rivera's Kissimmee home, you'd think it's Christmas Day.

"This is actually his first Christmas," Sheila says of her stepdaughter's boyfriend, Eduardo, who's sitting on the couch next to her stepdaughter, Crystal.

The Rivera Family is ready for the holidays, but two of its members need Christmas to come even earlier, in the form of work.  Crystal and Eduardo evacuated from Puerto Rico a month ago.

"We have no money for gas or food. We were really struggling, so when Maria came, that ruined everything, basically, for us," Crystal tells FOX 35.

Already jobless in Puerto Rico and without electricity, the young couple fit their entire lives into two suitcases and moved in to her father's home, but Crystal says the search for work continues.

"We're trying to find a job, and get money, so we can get a car. Step-by-step, basically."

They're not alone, as 1,200 people looking for work showed up to Friday's job fair in Osceola County.  Of those, 125 people were hired on the spot. The county says they'll likely host more job fairs.

The school district is also looking for bus drivers and area hotels are also hiring. Still, with no way to move around, and in a new place, Crystal says these opportunities can be hard to access.

"It's been kind of frustrating cause we are trying to look for jobs that are close to here because we don't have a car... it's kind of frustrating cause we want to like be on our own."

It's the story of thousands of people starting their lives from scratch right here in Central Florida. This couple sleeping on a futon while they get by, but Crystal says at least now her basic needs are met.

"It's been great because we have light. We have electricity, hot water. It's completely different from over there."

Evacuees in need of help can go to the Hurricane Maria Reception Center,  located at 320 Beaumont Avenue in Kissimmee.  So far, county officials say they've helped over 1,600 families with job opportunities, healthcare, and school enrollment.