Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

DISASTER UPDATE

September 7, 2005

WHAT CATHOLIC CHARITIES IS DOING:

· Participating in coordinated community effort to ensure unmet needs of affected victims are met

· Providing case management services for long term recovery to anyone affected by Hurricane Katrina. This includes helping people re-locate, establish a new home, navigate the system of applying for benefit, job search, financial assistance, or other needs identified with the individuals being served. We have placed a case manager at Victory Center in OKC to assist with the 150 individuals being provided food, clothing and shelter from that location.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

· Volunteer social workers to assist with case management to affected individuals.

· Secretarial and staff support to assist with disaster-related functions (preparing files, answering phones, data entry, etc) and to assist in maintaining normal operations

Volunteers should contact Becky Van Pool (523-3000) for additional information.

PARISH TO FAMILY PROGRAM

A meeting was held on September 6 with representatives from churches across the Archdiocese to explore how parishes can sponsor affected individuals and families. Sponsoring parishes will help welcome the evacuee(s) by setting up a home (furnishings, household goods, etc). Parishes may also want to involve affected client in parish and community activities, host birthday parties, or other activities to help welcome these new members of our community. Case managers from Catholic Charities will contact the parishes when a client is identified. For more information or to find out who your parish contact person is, contact Becky Van Pool (523-3000).

REFUGEE AND RESETTLEMENT DEPARTMENT

International refugees are coming. Need three bedroom home immediately. Families arriving next week and need housing.

Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City
1501 N. Classen Blvd, OKC
405-523-3000

Contact persons:
Becky VanPool, Volunteer Coordinater,
Connie Blaney, Public Information Director,

Attention all parishes: If you want to be included on the email list for information and church announcements, but are not currently on the list, please email Becky or Connie or both. We will be glad to add your name to the email group list. We continue to fax to all churches and email to those requesting to be on the list.