Jessica Hernandez, an Oceanside resident, has always looked for ways to help children in the community. Now, she’s pivoting to children abroad with Pencils of Promise — a nonprofit that supports children in impoverished communities in Guatemala, Laos and Ghana. On Jan. 11, Hernandez helped to coordinate a fundraiser for Pencils of Promise at Barrier Brewing Company’s Long Beach location on East Park Avenue.
The partnership with Pencils of Promise actually started last year, when Hernandez ran in the BMW Berlin Marathon. The nonprofit focuses on providing children with safe classrooms, clean water, quality teachers, and school supplies. They also have a WASH program, which implements fresh water systems in the communities for children to practice proper hygiene and ensure a clean infrastructure. Hernandez said that they were very welcoming, and that their message spoke to her.
“Collaborating with Pencils of Promise reminded me of my volunteer experience,” she said. “It also tied into my own mission that I do as a job.”
Her passion to help people started during her time at Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens. Hernandez would volunteer at adult camps upstate in Esopus, assisting adults with physical and mental disabilities.
Hernandez then studied at Quinnipiac University, graduating in 2017 with a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy (OT). During that time, she took a global volunteerism class, where they did fundraising and painted an orphanage in Nicaragua.
Since 2019, Hernandez has spent time helping children with disabilities, previously working in the Boston Public School system, and now at a small outpatient clinic in Williamsburg.
Hernandez’s desire to help people is well recognized by her friends — including Amber Emmino. The two met in Esopus and became friends almost immediately, working on the kitchen crew in 2012, and as counselors the following year.
“She was very outgoing,” Emmino said. “Always willing to lend a helping hand.”
Emmino and Hernandez attended Quinnipiac, and pursued similar interests in career paths and philanthropic work. They collaborated in their sorority — Chi Omega’s — fundraising efforts, like Make-A-Wish, basketball games, and carnivals.
When Emmino took charge of the sorority’s onboarding and management processes for new and returning members, Hernandez was always there to help.
“I was never overwhelmed,” Emmino said. “Jessica was always there to help.” The two became neighbors in Boston as postgraduates, and have been friends ever since.
The fundraiser attracted dozens of guests for music, food and craft beer. They also had football squares for Sunday’s NFL wild card games. They also had raffle giveaways, with winners taking home prizes like sessions at Club Pilates in Long Beach and gift cards to Oceanside eateries Pizzaiola and Mitchell’s Diner.
Hernandez said that the proceeds from the raffles directly support Pencils of Promise and their continued mission to provide children with regular necessities.
“Basic resources are really important for children and for lifestyle,” she said, explaining the things many take for granted. “Literally as basic as water and education. It’s an opportunity for kids to get what they need.”
Those interested in learning more about the work done by Pencils of Promise can visit their website pencilsofpromise.org.
