CENTRAL OHIOANS CONTINUE TO STEP UP

TO MEET THE HOUSING NEEDS OF HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMS

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Hundreds of volunteers continue to partner with local non-profit organizations to help the newest residents of Columbus and Franklin County, evacuees from Hurricane Katrina, find a new home and begin to stabilize their lives. The Community Shelter Board (CSB), The Ohio State University College of Social Work, FIRSTLINK, the Columbus Federation of Settlements, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA), and the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), have joined forces with volunteers to provide a range of housing and resettlement assistance.

The initial response was organized and implemented by volunteers who began providing one-on-one assistance via ‘Community Resettlement Advocacy Services’. Organized through the OSU College of Social Work and working since September 12^th, the more than 70 volunteer advocates have served more than 125 households by providing assistance to find affordable housing, to work with property owner/managers to rent housing, and to coordinate the ‘Adopt A Home’ program.

Tom Gregoire, Associate Dean of the OSU College of Social Work, explained, “Under the leadership of CSB we recognized the need to provide considerable support to the existing helping network if our community was going to respond in a timely and effective manner. We were confident that if asked the OSU College of Social Work (CSW) community of students, alumni, staff, and faculty would respond. Our confidence was well placed as we were able to identify and train over 350 volunteers on just four days notice. We are very proud of the commitment made by our volunteers and by the CSW administration, and we are moved by the willingness of so many to make such a significant sacrifice for those in need.”

When it became evident that the migration of evacuees into Franklin County would continue as an ongoing need over the next few months and that the needs of the new residents would exceed volunteer capacity, the Columbus Federation of Settlements, with a grant from the Franklin County commissioners, hired case managers to step in and assist. The project was initially hosted by the City of Columbus at the Piedmont Center and is now co-located with the American Red Cross offices on East Broad Street. For more information about the project, contact Angela Stoller-Zervas at St. Stephen’s Community House, 294-6347, ext. 451.

“The seven settlement houses; Central Community House, Community Resources Center, Gladden Community House, Godman Guild, Neighborhood House, St. Stephens Community House, and South Side Settlement; all have vital wrap-around social services to add to the comprehensive community resources already available”, explained Judith Stattmiller of St. Stephen’s Community House. “We will be providing ongoing case management to the new arrivals in Columbus to help them settle, find jobs, education, and health services.

Volunteer advocates and case managers are able to provide housing placement assistance. This includes connection to a database of housing options that was developed by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. It is available and maintained in real-time for matching of families to available units. OHFA has also made rental assistance (security deposit and first month’s rent) to families participating in this program. CMHA assesses eligibility for FEMA-sponsored housing vouchers, which are being offered through a new HUD program.

Business, civic and faith based organizations have been organized by FIRSTLINK and a host of volunteers to create a new ‘Adopt A Home’ program. Sponsors are committing to furnish, equip, and supply a home. As of this date, 33 households have moved into their new homes with many more families still in process. FIRSTLINK is seeking a minimum of 75 more sponsors. For more information, please contact Jonda at FIRSTLINK at 221-6766 ext. 117 or adoptahome@firstlink.org. Check the FIRSTLINK website, www.firstlink.org to learn more.

“Not many people understand how many families have come to Columbus from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. My wife and I were shocked to hear that over 500 families were here and had brought literally nothing more than the shirts on their back. It has been an incredible blessing to be a Home Adopter to provide the household items to a family re-settling in Columbus. We met one young couple that had only been married a few months and had lost everything. In their words ‘they had lost all hope’. Through Adopt A Home we were able to provide them with a fresh start. I strongly believe that if the people of Columbus understand just how great a need exists they will be incredibly generous in their support of these evacuee families. Adopt A Home is a way to stop talking about Katrina and put your resources to work for the families impacted by this great disaster”, said Brad Sharp, an Adopt a Home volunteer.

“The rapid response by volunteers and organizations to this critical local and national effort demonstrates again the caring capacity of our community,” said Barbara Poppe, Executive Director of the Community Shelter Board. “We hope that we can continue to offer a coordinated response not just to Hurricane Katrina victims, but also to the men, women, and children who experience the other national crisis of homelessness.”

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