Family displaced by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico makes new life in Naperville

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) -- A family displaced from Puerto Rico due to Hurricane Maria is now making a new life in Naperville.

The Ruiz family just found a home in the western suburb, but their move-in may have gone unnoticed Sunday by their neighbors because they don't have much.

In fact, most of belongings have been donated since they evacuated from Patillas, Puerto Rico.

"I'm overwhelmed each day everything that has been giving to me I never would have thought I would have gone through that in the blink of an eye," Cynthia Ruiz said.

The family survived Hurricane Maria but with conditions deteriorating, Ruiz returned the Chicago area -- where she grew up -- with her daughters, one of her daughter's fiance and her two grandchildren.

They arrived Oct. 9 and were taken in by her sister, but the six of them needed their own space.

They were rejected by three renters due to the large size of the family.

Finally one landlord heard their story and not only allowed them to rent a house, but gave them a fresh-cut Christmas tree.

"I'm very grateful I have so much relief in me to know that my granddaughters have a future here and my daughters," Ruiz said.

But they still remember the island they left beind.

"You have to be there to know it's difficult. They need help. We need help. The island needs help," said Alberto Otero, Ruiz's daughter's fiancé.

"It's not over yet and I was there and my eyes have seen it's not going to take months, it's going to take years," Ruiz said.