For Such A Time As This: The Power of Love, Hope, and Community in Puerto Rico

Yanira Ocasio Hernández, Foundress and CEO of For Such a Time As This, serves hope and nourishment to the poor and homeless in Puerto Rico.

by Kari Litscher

Yanira Ocasio Hernández, the Foundress and President/CEO of For Such A Time As This, has witnessed firsthand the incredible impact of  community outreach and  faith-driven work. Growing up, she was inspired by her missionary mother and pastor grandfather, whose selfless service paved the way for her passion for charity  and community empowerment. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly to bring hope to underserved communities, most recently in Puerto Rico, in the wake of natural disasters.

The BVM Connection: A Story of Hope
Yanira’s connection with the Sisters of Charity, BVM began when she met Congregational Secretary Ann Sweeney during her service trip to Puerto Rico. Ann, who  has worked twice with Global Volunteers on the island, explained to Yanira how the BVMs support programs around the world through the BVM Hunger Fund  Grants. Inspired by this conversation, Yanira applied for a grant to further her mission of helping those in need.

For Yanira, the partnership with the BVM Sisters has been more than just financial—it has been a source of encouragement and solidarity. The funds have been  instrumental in supporting their work, which includes serving the homeless community. BVM Hunger Funds have helped purchase food, including perishable items like fruits, vegetables, and proteins, as well as non-perishable goods like canned foods, grains, and snacks.

A Story of Resilience
In September 2017, Puerto Rico was hit by the devastating forces of Hurricane Irma and Maria. With winds exceeding 155 miles per hour, the Category 4 hurricanes caused widespread destruction—homes, schools, roads, and the electrical grid were decimated. In the midst of the chaos, Yanira knew she had teams to bring  much-needed support to those affected.

“I began organizing relief teams and taking to the streets to bring love, faith, and hope to a people in great need,” she says. Thanks to partnerships with churches, companies, and individuals, Yanira’s efforts helped sustain Puerto Rico’s recovery long after the immediate aftermath.

Yanira’s work did not stop with emergency relief. In December 2017, a vision she had received 25 years earlier came to life: “You will be the mother of many, mother of hundreds, you will bring love and hope to those most in need.” That calling led to the founding of For Such a Time As This. Since then, the organization has worked tirelessly to address hunger, health, and psychological challenges, while fostering long-term community empowerment.

Serving the Most Vulnerable: The “Los de a Pie” program
A central program of For Such A Time As This is “Los de a Pie” (The Ones Walking), which serves the elderly and homeless throughout Puerto Rico. Inspired by the example of Jesus, who walked from place to place sharing love and compassion, this initiative embodies the spirit of Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Yanira often travels to Aguadilla in northwestern Puerto Rico, where she leads efforts to serve hot meals, provide prayer, hygiene supplies, and, most importantly, hope. “The need is increasing as the Puerto Rican economy is in a bad place, and food costs are high,” Yanira shares. Currently, the organization provides hot meals for over 100 homeless people each month, relying on private donations to sustain their operations. In addition to serving meals, For Such A Time As This, also brings groceries, water, solar lamps, and other necessities.

The success of this program is made in part by the support of the BVM Hunger Fund. “The BVM donation has meant to us a beautiful relationship that brings the opportunity to serve those ‘no one sees,’ showing empathy and compassion. It is a great help to continue easing the struggle of
others,” says Yanira.

These funds help ensure that those in need receive nutritious meals. Yanira shares that at a recent meal, the recipients “were happier when I told them that we  changed the menu and made meat burritos with beans, cheese, salad, and water. We also brought cookies and coffee! They were so grateful, and they give us so many blessings!”

Dreams Within Reach
Yanira’s dream of building a self-sustaining, empowered community in Puerto Rico feels more achievable than ever. As the need for support continues to grow, she remains committed to empowering Puerto Rican communities for long-term success. Through educational programs, training initiatives, and the support of partners like the BVMs—especially through the Hunger Fund Grants—For Such a Time As This is helping individuals develop the skills needed to thrive in a post-disaster economy.

The mission to heal, uplift, and transform lives on the island is poised to continue for many years to come.

For more information on For Such a Time As This, visit: forsuchatimeasthispr.org.

This story was featured in:

Summer 2025: Celebrating 50 Years of Salt

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