When the world turned inward to face the invisible threat of COVID-19, a remarkable group of Filipino nurses in the United States looked outward. As streets fell silent and hospitals overflowed, the Philippine Nurses Association of Metropolitan DC (PNAMDC) saw clearly that the crisis would hit the most vulnerable the hardest. In April 2020, they acted, launching the Masks for the Homeless Project—a grassroots, nurse-led initiative to protect the unhoused population of the Washington DC metro area.
“We knew no one is safe unless all of us are safe,” reflected Lourdes Careaga, MSN, RN, NE-BC, the PNAMDC president at that time who led the project. “It is the inherent Filipino spirit of caring for the most vulnerable in our communities that stirred us to put together the task force.”
From that simple conviction, PNAMDC rallied nurses, volunteers, and community organizations across the region. Over the next sixteen months, they distributed 6,000 masks to 50 homeless shelters—an extraordinary achievement born of compassion, tenacity, and the enduring Filipino tradition of bayanihan, the communal spirit of coming together to help those in need.
Building a Lifeline, One Mask at a Time
The impetus behind the project was both practical and urgent. Congregate living conditions meant unhoused people faced disproportionately high risk of infection. Most lacked access to even the most basic protection—masks. PNAMDC knew they had to bridge that gap before the consequences became catastrophic.
For Joy Arellano, BSN, RN, the work was as much about awareness as it was about protection. “Our initiative not only focused on providing essential masks during a critical time,” she explained, “but it also served as a platform for raising social and health awareness in communities that often go unnoticed.”
Joy vividly recalled the challenges: sourcing masks in a time of shortages, navigating inner-city shelters amid lockdowns, and persuading volunteers to step forward despite fear. “Despite the numerous challenges we faced…the unwavering determination of the PNAMDC team propelled us forward,” she said. Social media became a lifeline, connecting them to volunteers with sewing machines and donors eager to help.
Nurses as Community Advocates
The project revealed a profound truth about nursing that goes beyond the bedside. As Carol Manilay-Robles, BSN, RN, DNS-CT, RAC-CT, shared, the experience “highlighted the indispensable role that healthcare professionals play beyond traditional clinical settings.”
“Witnessing the impact of distributing masks to vulnerable populations illuminated the urgent need for healthcare practitioners to take an active role in addressing community health crises,” Carol said. The experience inspired her to launch another initiative, the Masks for the School Children Project, to protect young learners and reinforce the link between health and education.
On a personal level, Carol described the project as transformative. “Being an integral part of initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of others has cultivated a deeper appreciation for the importance of community engagement,” she said. “Meaningful change often starts with individual action and motivation.”
Collaboration at the Heart of Change
If bayanihan is the spirit, collaboration is the engine. The project’s success depended on forging strong alliances with like-minded groups. Christine Pabico, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, FFNMRCSI, who serves as President of PNAMDC, emphasized this lesson.
“Collaborating with community groups and other stakeholders who share your vision is so important,” Christine advised. “Connecting with Love Sweatshop, a group of community volunteers committed to sewing masks, powered our initiative.”
These partnerships expanded their impact, created new opportunities, and demonstrated how collective action can sustain change. “To this day we have been mutually supporting each other’s initiatives,” Christine added.
Advice for Nurses Everywhere
For nurses and community leaders inspired to start similar efforts, Christine offered practical wisdom: “Conduct a needs assessment and identify a clear and pressing need within your community… Mobilize and empower volunteers. The most effective way to inspire others is to begin your discussions with the ‘why?’ and highlight the importance and impact of the project.”
Her advice resonates even now: think beyond immediate needs and ask how your project can create lasting improvements. “Foster the bayanihan spirit,” Christine urged. “Having a sense of community and leading with values of compassion are effective ways for inspiring action.”
Faces Behind the Mission
The Masks for the Homeless Project was not a faceless effort—it was built on the dedication and humanity of Filipino nurses who brought decades of experience to bear on a historic crisis.
Mizpah Amados, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC, who contributed her expertise honed over 30 years in neuro-critical care, called the project “an inspiring testament to what is possible when nurses bring their diverse skills together for a common purpose.”
Aida Imperio, BSN, RN, reflected on her 50 years in nursing, including leadership roles as ICU Manager and Joint Commission Surveyor. “The project reaffirmed that nursing is a lifelong calling,” she said. “Even in retirement, we have a role to play in serving our communities.”
Amabelle Estreba, MSN, RN, brought her commitment to patient-centered care from the cardiology wards of Kaiser Permanente to the streets and shelters of DC. “We stand as advocates for those without a voice,” she shared.
Florina Reynoso-Ray, BSN, RN, ACM-RN, whose decades of global volunteerism shaped her approach, said the project was “a natural extension of our mission to make a positive impact on the community.”
Prima Colburn, BSN, RN, who dedicated 42 years to caring for fragile infants in the NICU, noted that their collective efforts during COVID-19 revealed a universal truth: “Compassion does not retire.”
Legacy of Bayanihan
In the eyes of many, the Masks for the Homeless Project was more than an emergency response—it was a statement of identity and solidarity. It reminded the world of the strength, ingenuity, and deep well of compassion that Filipino nurses have carried across oceans.
“The collective effort resulted in a substantial positive impact,” Joy said, her voice filled with quiet pride. “We provided physical protection but also instilled a sense of hope and solidarity among those we served.”
Carol summed up the enduring lesson: “These experiences have solidified my core values of compassion and collaboration… True fulfillment in my professional journey comes from being actively involved in the community and working collaboratively with others to address health disparities.”
A Story That Resonates Globally
At the Filipino Nursing Diaspora Network (FiND), we believe this story is emblematic of the countless ways Filipino nurses uplift communities, no matter where they are. Their work echoes our own mission: to celebrate and amplify the contributions of Filipino nurses across the globe.
In a world grappling with fear and uncertainty, the nurses of PNAMDC chose courage and generosity. They chose to step into the breach for neighbors without shelter. And in doing so, they proved that even the smallest acts of solidarity—like a handmade mask—can protect lives and restore dignity.
Their story is not only worth telling—it is worth emulating. As we look ahead, may we all draw inspiration from their example, carry forward the bayanihan spirit, and remember that the heart of nursing will always beat strongest in service to humanity.
