March 2009 Update: United Church of Christ Gulf Coast Recovery

March 2009 Update: United Church of Christ Gulf Coast Recovery

March 9, 2009

Hope Shall Bloom - Hurricane update on the Gulf Coast Recovery

United Church of Christ volunteer work groups have been travelling to the Gulf Coast to assist with rebuilding and repairing homes since late Fall in 2005. Here are some statistics to share about the faithfulness of UCC members.

By the numbers: Louisiana

Total volunteers: 4,260

Total hours worked: 106,500

Total groups: 371

Total dollar value of volunteer labor: $2,023,500

By the numbers: Mississippi

Total volunteers: 5,007

Total hours worked: 158,975

Total groups: 352

Total dollar value of volunteer labor: $3,019,050

By the numbers: Florida (year: 2008)

Total volunteers: 618

Total hours worked: 10,040

Total groups: not available

Total dollar value of volunteer labor: $180,768

On the Gulf Coast there are still thousands of people who do not have a permanent and safe home to live in. Please continue to pray for people who still live in “temporary” housing; and then plan to share your gifts by volunteering to assist with repairs and rebuilding of homes.

The United Church of Christ has received $ 6,153,757.74 to address the needs of people impacted by the 2005 hurricanes. The funds received continue a UCC presence on the Gulf Coast for the long term recovery. These generous gifts of UCC members and friends represent hope for thousands of people affected by the 2005 hurricanes. The major role of the church in this disaster continues to be the rebuilding and repairing of homes for persons identified with “un-met needs” people who have no insurance or who are under-insured. One of the best ways local churches can respond to this need is to send a work group to help rebuild or repair homes.

The UCC has been able to develop work group repair and rebuild opportunities thanks to the generous donations to the One Great Hour of Sharing special fund, Hope Shall Bloom. To learn more about the possibility of taking a volunteer work group to Louisiana, Mississippi or Florida, please visit the UCC web site: http://www.ucc.org/volunteer/hurricane/

Please share the stories of hope found at: http://www.ucc.org/disaster/gulf-coast-hurricanes.html.

Relief, Response and Recovery Phase - August 29, 2005 to February 28, 2009

Funds Disbursed November 1, 2008 to February 28, 2009:
$29,148	(new funding: year 2008) UCC South Central Conference program funds to support part time pastor for Beecher Memorial UCC for six months.
$28,222	UCC South Central Conference Disaster Recovery Office, New Orleans, for continuing restoration of Beecher Memorial UCC.
$69,043.32	(new funding: year 2008/2009) UCC South Central Conference for support of disaster recovery staff and long term volunteers in New Orleans.
$134,170	UCC South Central Conference Disaster Recovery Office, New Orleans for support of rebuild/repair program (construction materials, debris removal, vehicle maintenance).
$75,000	Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, MS for 2005 hurricane recovery staff, long term volunteers, construction materials, vehicle maintenance.
$10,000	MS Interfaith Disaster Task Force to assist with providing emotional/spiritual care needs in the community.
$50,000	Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort, New Orleans for UCC share of funding to support CWS ecumenical rebuild project in the Little Woods community.
$5,000	Disaster News Network to support continuing faith based reporting of the Gulf Coast recovery effort.
$50,000	The Rebuild Center, New Orleans, to support ongoing program for the year 2009; the Center provides a space for day laborers and returning residents who are homeless a place to find food, showers, washing machines, medical care, employment counseling, and day time shelter.
$500	St. Luke’s UCC, Ottsville, PA to provide a grant for volunteer work group to assist with rebuild efforts in Biloxi, MS (through Back Bay Mission).
$4,400	UCC South Central Conference for stipends for long term volunteers in New Orleans.
$20,000	Adopt a Hurricane Family (Florida) to support recovery efforts from Hurricane Wilma.
$35,000	Immokalee Helping Our People in Emergencies (Florida) to support setting up of new mobile homes for families impacted by Hurricane Wilma.
$15,000	Community Rebuilding Ecumenical Workforce (Florida) to support recovery efforts from Hurricane Wilma.

Funds Disbursed August 2005 to October 30, 2008:
$25,000	Adopt a Hurricane Family Inc, Pembroke Pines, FL, for repaid and replacement of mobile homes for people impacted by Hurricane Wilma in Broward County, FL.
$12,000	CREW, Inc. (Clewiston, FL), long term recovery committee; to provide grant for materials for repairing homes damaged by Hurricane Wilma.
$1,000	Bethany UCC, San Antonio, TX; grant to assist with expenses of volunteer work group to New Orleans.
$25,000	Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort, Long Term Recovery Committee for Orleans Parish, New Orleans, LA to continue to assist persons with unmet needs to repair their homes.
$25,000	Jefferson Disaster Recovery Committee (long term recovery committee) to continue to assist persons with unmet needs to repair their homes in Jefferson Parish, LA.
$25,000	Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership (GNODRP) to strengthen regional long-term recovery efforts; GNODRP assists with the work and coordination of 20 agencies working in 34 different programs.
$25,000	St. Bernard Community Recovery, LA (long term recovery committee) to continue to assist persons with unmet needs to repair their homes in St. Bernard Parish, LA.
$3,951	Immokalee Helping Our People in Emergencies (Long Term Recovery Committee, Florida) materials and rebuild to assist residents with recovery from Hurricane Wilma.
$25,000	UCC Florida Conference grant for volunteer coordinator for work groups rebuilding homes damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma.
$2,400	UCC South Central Conference to provide stipends for long term volunteers supporting the New Orleans Disaster Recovery Office (work group coordination, project site management, construction supervisor).
$23,050	Anthony C. Baker Architects & Planners, Inc., final payment for services provided to rebuild/restore Beecher Memorial UCC in New Orleans.
$3,000	Louisiana Environmental Action Network to provide support for intern assisting with nationwide health survey for responders whose physical health has been impacted negatively by the time spent in the New Orleans area.
$4,041	New Orleans Disaster Recovery office staff, long term volunteers, and a chaplain to lead a staff retreat for two days.
$500	Grant for work group from Plymouth UCC, Spring, TX to rebuild damaged homes in Biloxi, MS.
$28,872.34	(new funding: December 2007) UCC South Central Conference program funds for continuing support of conference disaster recovery staff in New Orleans; new church rental space in Baton Rouge-Journey UCC; construction costs on renovation of Central Congregational UCC parsonage.
$169,733.13	(new funding: year 2008) UCC South Central Conference program funds to support New Orleans disaster recovery office for the year; support for part time pastor for Beecher Memorial UCC for six months; new church rental space in Baton Rouge-Journey UCC for April-August.
$2,400	Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, MS to support two long term volunteers serving as site coordinators to assist volunteer work groups.
$5,000	Disaster News Network for continuing faith coverage of Gulf Coast Hurricane recovery for the year 2008.
$99,060	(new funding: year 2008) Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, MS to assist with program support including construction manager and program coordinator; stipends for long term volunteers; upkeep of equipment used for repair/rebuild of houses impacted by 2005 hurricanes.
$152,000	(new funding: year 2008) South Central Conference, New Orleans Disaster Recovery Office for rebuild of eight UCC members homes; bulk purchases of materials for repair/rebuild; upkeep of equipment used for repair/rebuild; maintenance of storage building.
$35,000	Interfaith Disaster Task Force, Biloxi, MS (Long Term Recovery Committee) support for the year 2008 to warehouse bulk materials provided to an average of 25 groups per month for repair/rebuild.
$50,000	The Rebuild Center, New Orleans, to support ongoing program for the year 2008; the Center provides a space for day laborers and returning residents who are homeless a place to find food, showers, washing machines, medical care, employment counseling, and day time shelter.
$25,000	Immokalee Helping Our People in Emergencies (Long Term Recovery Committee, Florida) materials and rebuild to assist residents with recovery from Hurricane Wilma.
$1,000	Bethany Congregational UCC, San Antonio, TX, grant for volunteer work group to repair and rebuild homes in New Orleans.
$20,000	Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Program (long term regional recovery committee), matching grant with Salvation Army to purchase building materials to repair and rebuild homes in Louisiana.
$20,000	Adopt A Hurricane Family, Inc, Pembroke Pines, FL, for case management to address long term recovery from Hurricane Wilma in Broward County, FL.
$97,076.38	(new funding: October 2-December 18) UCC South Central Conference program funds for continuing support Beecher Memorial UCC part time pastor; volunteer work group coordinator and case manager, and program staff for recovery office in New Orleans.
$10,000	Anthony C. Baker Architects and Planners for a share of cost for engineering drawings for the renovation of Beecher Memorial UCC, New Orleans.
$2,400	UCC Florida Conference, stipend for long term volunteer placed with Lake and Sumter Emergency Recovery (long term recovery committee) addressing needs for recovery from Hurricane Wilma.
$47,900	(new funding: June 19-October1) UCC South Central Conference program funds for continuing support Beecher Memorial UCC part time pastor; construction supervisor, volunteer work group coordinator, and long term volunteers for the recovery program in New Orleans; Journey UCC (new church start in Baton Rouge) rent for six months.
$20,000	Adopt a Hurricane Family, Inc. (Long Term Recovery Committee, Florida) to assist with case management for 73 families impacted by Hurricane Wilma to move into permanent housing (manufactured homes) in Broward County.
$30,000	FRIEND (Long Term Recovery Committee, Florida) to assist with case management for families with unmet needs in Miami – Dade County impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma.
$3,600	Anthony C. Baker Architects and Planners for architectural drawings for the renovation of Beecher Memorial UCC, New Orleans.
$1,000	Friedens UCC and Redeemer UCC, Texas, grant for volunteer work group to repair homes in Livingston, TX impacted by Hurricane Rita.
$25,000	Immokalee Helping Our People in Emergencies (Long Term Recovery Committee, Florida) for a construction supervisor and materials to repair homes and install mobile homes for families impacted by Hurricane Wilma in Immokalee.
$5,000	UCC-PIC begin documentary on “rebirth” of Beecher Memorial UCC, New Orleans (subsequent funding to be provided through the NCC and outside grants).
$30,000	Southeast Texas Interfaith Organization (Long Term Recovery Committee) to enable the repair of homes in Port Arthur for families impacted by Hurricane Rita.
$2,400	Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, MS to provide stipends for long term volunteers.
$35,000	Committee for Plaquemines Recovery (Long Term Recovery Committee, Louisiana) to assist with rebuilding 17 homes for families impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
$25,000	UCC Florida Conference, program funds to support volunteer work group coordinator for people impacted by Hurricane Wilma.
$624,353	(funding through June 18) UCC South Central Conference to meet emergency needs; provide grants to UCC clergy families who have been displaced and lost homes & income sources; continuing pastoral support; renovation and repair of UCC churches; long term recovery disaster response coordination [long term volunteers]; housing for long term volunteers; tool shed for equipment used to repair homes. Additionally, Rev. Alan Coe has been called by the South Central Conference to coordinate disaster recovery and work camp groups in the New Orleans Association.
$40,000	UCC South Central Conference to assist with repairs/rebuilding of members of UCC congregations in the New Orleans area.
$57,000	UCC South Central Conference towards renovation/restoration of Central Congregational UCC parsonage to be used for long term volunteer housing.
$13,423.66	To assist 15 members of UCC churches in the New Orleans Association of the South Central Conference impacted by the 2005 hurricanes to attend the 2007 General Synod in Hartford, CT. UCC church members attending will participate in planned events including a workshop to provide an opportunity to tell their stories of recovery.
$25,000	Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort, Long Term Recovery Committee for Orleans Parish, New Orleans, LA for a rebuild coordinator to assist persons with unmet needs to repair their homes.
$30,000	Interfaith Disaster Task Force (Jackson, Hancock and Harrison Counties in Mississippi) – interfaith to support a warehouse for materials to repair and rebuild homes for persons who are under insured; or, have no insurance. Volunteer work groups will provide the labor.
$40,000	Palm Beach County Disaster Recovery Coalition, Florida (Hurricane Wilma) to provide assistance with case management and materials to repair/rebuild home of persons with unmet needs impacted by 2005 hurricanes.
$35,000	Washington Emergency Recovery Ongoing Cadre, Long Term Recovery Committee in Washington Parish, LA to provide physical, spiritual and psychological to persons with unmet needs impacted by hurricanes.
$10,000	Lutheran Social Services of Northern California to assist with resettlement of displaced persons relocated to Northern California after Hurricane Katrina.
$2,400	Back Bay mission for long term volunteer, stipend to serve as a construction supervisor for six months.
$105,000	Back Bay Mission to increase housing capacity for volunteer work groups which will allow for increased ability for UCC work to repair and rebuild homes; and for project managers to work with additional volunteer groups.
$2,310	UCC New Orleans Association to place an ad in the Times Picayune newspaper at Christmas inviting the community to worship; all UCC churches were listed.
$3,600	Back Bay Mission for long term volunteer (9 month placement) stipend to assist with coordination of volunteer work groups scheduling and project management paperwork.
$30,000	Boat People SOS, Inc. to continue assistance to the Vietnamese American community (approximately 36,000 live in the Gulf State region) impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Unmet needs include transportation money to search for employment, supplies for repair of damaged fishing boats, legal assistance for recovery and filing of lost and destroyed documentation.
$885	UCC Justice and Witness Ministries for registration of three interns working on housing advocacy issues in New Orleans to attend the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference.
$5,000	Howard University grant to assist with expenses for student Alternative Spring break to work on advocacy issues; and repair of homes in New Orleans.
$25,000	Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership (GNODRP) to strengthen regional long-term recovery efforts; GNODRP assists with the work and coordination of 20 agencies working in 34 different programs.
$50,000	Jefferson Davis – Marion Counties Long Term Recovery Committee (Mississippi) to assist with casework; and construction/repairs on homes for people who are under-insured or not insured.
$50,000	The Rebuild Center Project, New Orleans, LA; working with the Catholic Church a Rebuild Center is opening to assist day laborers who have come to New Orleans to work on clean up and repairs. The majority of these persons do not have a place to live (people have been living in abandoned cars and houses). The Center will include: medical and legal services; shower, restroom and laundry services; meals; immigration related services; respite services.
$46,500	Dillard University to support two interns. One intern is working with the Lower 9^th Ward Association on home ownership issues; and rebuilding. The second intern is working on the same issues for other areas on New Orleans.
$2,400	UCC Florida Conference to support a long term volunteer working with the conference disaster ministries staff on Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma recovery.
$500	UCC Storrs Congregational church as a grant to assist with supporting a volunteer work group to travel to New Orleans to repair homes.
$23,867	UCCNews insert on participation of UCC in hurricane recovery: “Walking the line between devastation and hope” (note: UCNews circulation is185,000).
$6,000	Back Bay Mission, support for long term volunteers to serve as mission trip coordinators and site managers for repairs and rebuilding.
$50,000	UCC South Central Conference to purchase building materials for repairing and rebuilding of homes of persons who are under-insured or not insured.
$50,000	Committee for Plaquemines Recovery (long term recovery committee) for building materials for people with unmet needs in Plaquemines Parish, LA.
$50,000	Jefferson Disaster Recovery Committee (long term recovery committee) for building materials for people with unmet needs in Jefferson Parish, LA.
$35,000	Southwest Mississippi Recovery Network (long term recovery committee) for caseworker to assist persons with unmet needs.
$50,000	Church World Service Advocacy Fund (note: support for two years of Ag-Missions work with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund) support for home and land owners to retain ownership where developers are pressuring for unfair buyouts in Biloxi, Gulfport and Pass Christian, MS; and New Orleans, La.
$25,000	Terrebonne Readiness and Assistance Coalition (long term recovery committee) to repair and rebuild homes in 21 south Louisiana parishes.
$20,000	Stone County Long Term Recovery Committee to assist with administrative costs for staff, and caseworkers to repair and rebuild homes for persons with unmet needs.
$25,000	Church World Service, (Hurricane Katrina) to support distribution of blankets, health kits, and continued deployment of Disaster Response and Recovery Liaisons to work with establishment of Long Term Recovery Committees.
$25,000	Church World Service, (Hurricanes Katrina and Rita) to support advocacy issues as they arise on the Gulf Coast; i.e. land ownership rights for people returning to communities, jobs. Through CWS, funding was provided to Interfaith Worker Justice.
$50,000	Boat People SOS, Inc. to assist the Vietnamese American community (approximately 36,000 live in the Gulf State region) impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Unmet needs include transportation money to search for employment, preparation of resumes, clothing for job interviews, supplies for repair of lightly damaged fishing boats, replacement of household furnishings, legal assistance for recovery and filing of lost and destroyed documentation.
$5,000	City of Refuge UCC to assist members of Freedom Fellowship Church in New Orleans to attend the national gathering of fellowship churches sponsored by City of Refuge. This annual gathering is an opportunity for fellowship members to gather for worship, support and continuing education.
$12,199	to assist with a weekend retreat for 57 women from UCC churches in Louisiana; an opportunity for women to begin a healing process.
$15,000	Mix in ‘06 to assist 25 women from the South Central Conference impacted by the 2005 hurricanes to attend the women’s event in Indianapolis. The women attending will participate in planned events including leadership in worship with opportunity to tell their stories to women from across the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
$25,000	Missouri Interfaith Disaster Recovery Organization (MIDRO) to support long term recovery committees throughout Missouri who are assisting persons evacuated and still displaced by the hurricanes.
$25,000	Disaster Recovery Services of George County, Mississippi – interfaith support to buy materials to repair and rebuild homes for persons who are under insured; or, have no insurance. Volunteer work groups will provide the labor.
$25,000	Interfaith Disaster Task Force (Jackson, Hancock and Harrison Counties in Mississippi) – interfaith support to buy materials to repair and rebuild homes for persons who are under insured; or, have no insurance. Volunteer work groups will provide the labor. Interfaith Disaster Task Force (Jackson, Hancock and Harrison Counties in Mississippi) – interfaith support to buy materials to repair and rebuild homes for persons who are under insured; or, have no insurance. Volunteer work groups will provide the labor.
$170,000	Community of Faith Church of Houston (UCC/Disciples of Christ) - Amistad Resettlement Project, to assist in paying resettlement costs (job re-training; housing; food and clothing; medical assistance) for 82 evacuated families who have been identified to participate in long-term resettlement project.
$15,000	Community of Faith Church Of Houston (UCC/Disciples of Christ) – to assist with costs to bring 27 people from the Amistad Resettlement Project to Cleveland for the United Black Christians meeting.
$50,000	Church World Service - Relocation Program for Displaced Americans, relocation of families in various sites across U.S.
$15,000	UCC Southeast Conference to meet emergency needs; feeding evacuees in Atlanta through the Hosea Williams Feeding Program (at the request of Ambassador Andrew Young).
$20,000	UCC Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, Mississippi to re-establish mission site for emergency relief and long-term recovery and rebuilding.
$5,000	Purchase of two Iridium satellite phones and service for use by Back Bay Mission staff as long as normal land-line and cell phone communications are disrupted.
$40,000	UCC related Dillard University, New Orleans to assist with repairs on damage to campus and restore operations.
$5,000	UCC related Olivet College, Michigan, to help cover costs of feeding and sheltering 18 evacuees.
$10,000	Farm Worker Association of Florida to assist migrant farm workers unemployed when the crops were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
$113,800	Good Shepherd UCC, Metairie, Louisiana to prepare church building (repaired damages, remove mold) to serve long term as site for UCC volunteer work groups.
$10,690	St. Matthew UCC, New Orleans, Louisiana to prepare church building (install showers, kitchen facilities) to serve long term as site for UCC volunteer work groups.
$10,000	Howard University, Washington, DC to help support 205 students “alternative Spring Break” in the New Orleans area – served as volunteers to rebuild and repair homes for persons who are have no insurance or are under-insured.
$14,000	Church World Service - (Hurricane Rita) to support distribution of blankets, health kits, and deployment of Disaster Response and Recovery Liaisons.
$4,500	Plymouth Congregational UCC, Beaumont, TX (Hurricane Rita) to assist the community with relief and recovery needs.
$20,000	Old First Church, Springfield, MA – support for books for Gulf Coast; church is working with school districts and local organizations to replace books through an ongoing book program. Shipments of 350,000 books have now been sent to schools, hospitals and libraries on the Gulf Coast (Louisiana and Mississippi).
$15,000	New York Disaster Interfaith Services – support for resettlement of evacuees in New York City.
$20,000	Louisiana Environmental Action Network to support an intern who will work in communities to address health and safety issues in the greater New Orleans area. The intern will attend meetings of recovery groups to discuss environmental aspects of this disaster; and to distribute fact sheets including environmental data.
$30,000	Louisiana Environmental Action Network to assist with direct relief efforts for residents - providing "Re-entry Protection Kits" that contain protective clothing and eyewear, gloves, biohazard bags, and particulate respirators, as well as more bleach, and hopefully, if we can find them in time, buckets and detergents.
$50,000	Into Afrika – Exodus Ministries to facilitate radio town hall meetings for the Diaspora to receive critical information and have a voice in plans for how to rebuild their communities.
$20,000	UCC South Central Conference – support for new church start in Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Malcolm Richard, pastor.