Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Oklahoma CityCatholic Charities of OKC Shows Quick Response to Evacuees Arriving in Oklahoma City Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City Archdiocese has been quick to respond to individuals and families arriving from Louisiana and Mississippi, who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Within a few days after the disaster, Catholic Charities assigned a case manager and volunteer social workers to Victory Church/Victory House at N.E. 36th and Martin Luther King Blvd. to process evacuees arriving daily. As of September 13, a One-Stop Resource Center for Hurricane Response has been set up at Trinity International Baptist Church, 1329 NW 23rd Street in Oklahoma City. Catholic Charities of OKC will have a case manager at the center as long as needed. Other responders at the one-stop center are American Red Cross, United Way agencies of Central Oklahoma, FEMA, Salvation Army, Urban League, Mental Health Association of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma County offices, and other agencies. Case managers meet with the families and see how they can assist them with obtaining a FEMA number, identification cards, social security cards, housing, medical needs, and other unmet needs. Other agencies playing a vital role are American Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA, DHS, Social Security, Travelers Aid, United Way, and other organizations. Catholic churches, and other denominations are also assisting with the effort. Catholic Charities staff members at the Oklahoma City office have been taking phone calls from individuals and families displaced by the hurricane, and directing them to available resources in the community. Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City Archdiocese provides case management services for long-term recovery to anyone affected by the Hurricane. This includes helping people re-locate, establish a new home, navigate the system of applying for benefits, job search, financial assistance, or other needs identified with the people being serviced. Catholic parishes are also assisting with the effort by donating money to Catholic Charities USA’s Katrina Relief Fund that is primarily directed to victims in the disaster areas along the Gulf Coast, and to Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City’s Annual Appeal which kicks off the weekend of September 17-18 in all Catholic parishes across the Archdiocese.& |
