Before Southeast Texas felt the initial wind gusts from Hurricane Ike, Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas was already preparing a dramatic response to its impact. From planning point-of-distribution sites to strategizing with FEMA and the Red Cross, Catholic Charities envisioned massive numbers of distraught victims soon to be desperate for relief. Randi Fertitta, director of Disaster, Trauma & Loss, began planning this response while riding out the storm at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
Following the storm’s impact, Catholic Charities opened distribution sites in Orangefield, Fannett, Winnie and China to provide essential survival items to hurricane victims. Suffering from lack of water, ice and food, these victims immediately found hope amidst a time of grief and sadness. Car lines stretched across city blocks and streets, filled with distraught families eager to provide their children with any form of comfort.
“As far as the needs in the community, people need food and water, hygiene items, cleaning items to get their homes livable,” Fertitta said. “At one of our sites, in two-and-a- half days we saw over 1,700 families.”
When asked about total numbers of people helped, Fertitta said, “Definitely in the thousands.”
Due to these conditions, Catholic Charities has an immediate need for volunteers.
“Catholic Charities appreciates and depends on the dedication of staff as well as the dedication and willingness of volunteers to supplement our efforts,” said Dean Terrebonne, Catholic Charities president/CEO.
“I am very proud of the work of Randi and Disaster Trauma & Loss coordinator Joanna Schrock in coordinating the effort. Other Catholic Charities staff have worked diligently to support this effort.”
Catholic Charities also sent a counselor to the Winnie Fire Department and shelter to provide consolation to those with special needs. There are plans to send counselors to other areas as well.
Catholic Charities U.S.A. has donated $10,000 and the Kenedy Memorial Foundation has provided a grant of $25,000 in financial aid.FEMA has donated items in response to the needs of storm victims. Red Cross and Salvation Army provided warm meals to families with dwindling amounts of food. Catholic Charities is also coordinating with local fire departments, counties and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
“We are trying to identify other funding sources to fund the response to Ike. We also hope to provide case managers for long term case management and the distribution of financial assistance to targeted areas (those communities deemed hardest hit with minimal resources available to them) that are dependent on substantial funding. Again, those efforts need to be supplemented with volunteer effort.” Terrebonne said.
“We are going to be here for the long haul” Fertitta said.
