In disasters, faith-based organizations are often the first to respond. They may offer basic survival help such as shelter, food, water, clothes and access to information about other assistance. Once aid starts flowing to a stricken area, religious organizations can be vital to getting assistance out into the community to help people at the local level.
Faith-based organizations gather volunteers from their own communities and from across the country to ask for funds, food, clothing, and even work crews.
Many faith-based organizations focus on helping people in their neighborhoods or communities. Others, like the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities, have become large, multiservice organizations that contract with the state and federal government to provide things like emergency shelter, mental health and substance abuse services, case management, home visiting, and refugee resettlement.
As you look around for help on the road to housing recovery, don't forget to check in with your local church, temple, or mosque. In the Resource Guide in Route 4 you will find a listing of faith-based organizations active in your area. In the months to come they will continue to play an active and vital role in organizing volunteers, private donations and public dollars to support the recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Catholic Charities Catholic
Charities agencies provide a wide rage of services to people in need. They don't all offer the same programming, however, so you may need to call your local office to see what services they have. Find a member agency near you by visiting the website at www. catholiccharitiesusa.org/who-we-are/member-agencies.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity specializes in building new homes for low-income people. Typically, the buyer helps to build the house with the help of many other volunteers, and then receives a loan with no interest for the purchase. In the weeks following Hurricane Sandy, Habitat pledged to build or repair affordable housing in partnership with low-income families impacted by the storm.
Habitat is very successful in bringing in volunteers and donations to reduce the cost of building homes. It also offers housing counseling to its buyers to help them prepare for ownership. The website, www.habitat.org provides more details about Habitat’s response to Hurricane Sandy.
Lutheran Services in America
Lutheran Services in America member organizations provide a range of services, ranging from health care to disaster response, from services for children and families to care for the elderly, and from adoption to advocacy. Visit www.lutheranservices.org to find member organizations near you.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army mobilizes volunteers, donations, and grants to serve millions of people every year. In the wake of disasters, they help with emergency housing, rent, and mortgage payment assistance. In addition to emergency assistance, the Salvation Army itself provides a range of services, including adult rehabilitation centers (residential programs for men and women with substance abuse issues), emergency shelters, and Meals on Wheels. Visit the website at www.salvationarmyusa.org.