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‘Don’t ever stop trying’: Woman works at YMCA she once received help from

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A woman who made the difficult decision to leave her home country and move to Jacksonville was so touched by the support she received from the YMCA, that she is now paying it forward and helping others in need.

Bedimar Munoz came here to Jacksonville in the fall of 2020 with her family, after she decided to leave her home country of Venezuela.

“It was a very critical decision, leaving behind the violence, the war, and most of my family,” Munoz explained in Spanish. “But it was a necessity.”

She found support here at the Dupont Family YMCA in the San Jose neighborhood (7373 Old Kings Rd S), where she began to take English classes.

“When I came here, I felt good, I liked what they had to offer,” she recalled.

Munoz has now come full circle as a proud staff member, helping feed people in need like Marina Velez Pedroza.

“I was so happy when I met her because we could understand each other so well,” Pedroza shared in Spanish.

The New American Welcome Center at this particular YMCA is the only one in the state of Florida and houses a variety of resources for immigrant families, including a food pantry and a clothing closet. It’s meant to give families the tools they need to succeed.

“It’s not a handout. We’re here to help them while they do this transition,” said Michelle Orts, Senior Program Director for the New American Welcome Center.

Munoz manages the food pantry, and so far this year, she’s helped distribute more than 29,000 pounds of food to more than 20,000 individuals.

“It’s like giving back all the support, all the help, the care that I have received from everyone,” Munoz expressed.

“She tries to give quality food and I really admire her for that because I’ve spoken to a lot of people and they love the variety that she provides,” Orts added. “They love the fact that she always gives vegetables.”

The center could use donations from the community, like bottled water and clothes.

“Sometimes you have clothes, good quality clothes that you’re not using or children’s items. You should bring those here because they benefit everyone,” Pedroza added.

The food pantry, which receives most of its donations from Feeding Northeast Florida, is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.

Families can register on-site, and they can then pick up food items once a week. Munoz wants to remind them they’re welcome, and that they’re not alone in their struggles.

“The journey has been difficult, but if I can do it, you can do it too,” Munoz emphasized. “Don’t ever stop trying.”

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