PICO-UNION : Mobile Unit Aids Victims of Quake

Hundreds of residents hard hit by the Northridge earthquake Jan. 17 received help last week when federal disaster officials opened a mobile unit at the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN).

More than 500 had registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s mobile unit at 668 Bonnie Brae Ave. as of Wednesday, said Jose Luis Monge, manager at the site.

Lack of food, shelter and medical assistance were among the most common problems, Monge said.

CARECEN officials, who had been doing outreach in the area, said they expect that number to climb as more residents learn about the FEMA center.

Among the first to arrive last weekend when the mobile site opened was Jessie Vega, 20, who had been living in a parking lot after the quake left the apartment he shared with his mother and five siblings uninhabitable.

“I didn’t know where to go or who to call,” said Vega. “I called the Red Cross and they told me they couldn’t do anything because they didn’t have anything set up for this area.”

“A lot of people don’t know FEMA is here,” said Delmy Ruiz of CARECEN, which has been providing assistance since the day of the quake.

Monge said the center would remain open until “there is no need.”

Information: (213) 483-6868.