Hurricane Response Q & A:
1. What is United Way doing to help the people affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike?
Just as in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, United Way is working closely with our partner, the American Red Cross, to help put lives and communities back together. In its role as first responder after the government, the Red Cross is responsible for disaster relief and is on site to handle emergency needs – such as food, shelter and clothing – for the first 24 to 72 hours. The Red Cross also provides emergency care and connects individuals to their families and federal benefits.
After that initial response, Red Cross hands off to United Way for the recover efforts so that we can link people to services and provide long-term solutions to their needs – such as housing, mental health care, quality childcare, job training, etc.
The reality is that need and costs of relief and recovery outweigh current available resources. All relief agencies are feeling the financial strain of multiple disaster events in one year. To support both of these efforts, donations are welcome.
To contribute to the Disaster Relief Fund for American Red Cross, go to www.redcross.org
To contribute to the United Way 2008 Hurricane Recover Fund, go to www.liveunited.org
2. What has United Way been doing to help people in the Chicagoland area who have been affected by the flooding?
Early this week, the city’s office of emergency management (OEMC) reported that around 300 individuals had been displaced from their homes due to flooding (especially near the rivers). Requests for help came from a large geographic area spanning from Robbins, South of Chicago, to Elgin in the West, to Arlington Heights in the North and multiple locations Southeast of the City of Chicago. While much of the flooding is minor, in some places flood waters had reached the second floor of homes. The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago set up shelter facilities in 4 locations: South Suburbs at St. Stevens Lutheran Church in Midlothian, Mt. Carmel School in Melrose Park, the Park District in Des Plaines and North Park College in Ravenswood. As of Sunday evening as the rains ended, there were about 100 folks in the 4 shelters. Red Cross will keep these shelters open for as long as they are needed.
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago is the largest funder of the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago so your gifts to United Way have contributed to providing this service. As always, the Red Cross responds with emergency relief to help people out of harms way. After that first 24 to 72 hours Red Cross turns the responsibility to United Way for long-term recovery – such as housing, mental health care, quality childcare, job training, etc. Your support of United Way makes it possible to care for our neighbors in these times of need.
