October 7, 2005 (Baltimore, MD) - New Phase of Hurricane Relief Effort Begins

Update

Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) has ramped up its capacity to lead the Lutheran response to hurricanes in the Gulf Coast. Increased staffing in communications and volunteer management will allow LDR to work at the scale required for this widespread disaster. LDR is working directly through social ministry organizations, disaster response coordinators and congregations in the Gulf Coast region and beyond. Lutheran Social Services of the South (TX/LA) and Lutheran Episcopal Ministries (MS) as well as other partners are taking the lead on the ground.

Social ministry organizations in many parts of the country report that they are involved in working (through formal and informal systems) with people who have fled the Gulf Coast. The federal government continues to weigh options for case management, housing, healthcare and other forms of relief, but as yet has set no clear direction. The substantial capacity of the Lutheran system in disaster response, resettlement, mental health and spiritual counseling, and volunteer power is mobilized and will accompany individuals, families, congregations and communities as they undertake the long process of recovery. To learn more about work currently underway, about future opportunities to assist, and to view photographs visit the websites not only of LDR but also the ELCA and the LCMS.

Lutheran Social Ministry Organization Updates

• Lutheran Social Services of the South is touching the lives of thousands of people in Texas and Louisiana. Here are just a few of their stories:
  Faith, a single mother, with 18-month-old Chloe, who was evacuated from New Orleans to the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX, along with three residents of Peace Lake Towers, LSS's independent living facility for low-income and disabled seniors in east New Orleans, and some of their extended family. After rescuing Faith and Chloe from the Convention Center, LSS helped her get to family in Atlanta. She recently called to say thanks for helping her in her time of need.
  Jana, a three-year-old foster child who a year ago had a heart transplant because of a birth defect. Outwardly she appears to be a normal child, playful and with a brilliant smile. She was one of 21 medically fragile foster children who LSS evacuated from the Houston area when it appeared that Hurricane Rita was going to strike Galveston. The extraordinary efforts that the foster parents made, loading up children with all kinds of medical equipment and spending up to 22 hours to move those precious children out of harm's way, was a testimonial to their commitment and to the dedicated staff of LSS.
  Carolyn and Larry, an amazing couple in Baton Rouge, who have made the children of Bethlehem Children's Center of New Orleans a personal cause. When the 45 children evacuated to Trinity Lutheran Church in Baton Rouge, Carolyn single-handedly tried to clothe and find shoes for every child. Late at night, she would be out shopping for food or organizing other members of the church to do the same. Though the children have since been relocated to Corpus Christi, TX until the agency can rebuild the children's center, Carolyn and Larry still call to check on "our kids", making sure they are being cared for well.


• Lutheran-Episcopal Services of Mississippi is doing remarkable work in leading the LDR response effort in Mississippi. After only three weeks the work has shifted in emphasis from immediate recovery to rebuilding, and it is gaining momentum daily.


• Lutheran social ministry organizations in many parts of the country are mobilizing local congregations and volunteers to assist displaced persons who have found their way to these communities through formal and informal channels. Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri, for example, reports that there are 12,000 hurricane victims in that state and that the organization has hired case workers and a volunteer coordinator, and has set up a disaster office to coordinate efforts throughout the Missouri Lutheran community. If a government sponsored relocation plan for large numbers of displaced Americans is put into place, there will be an urgent need to replicate this effort on a large scale. Lutheran Services in America is engaged in ongoing planning with other Lutheran partners to prepare for this possibility.

ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
Phone (with credit card) 800-638-3522
www.elca.org

OR

LCMS World Relief and Human Care
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122-7295
Credit Card Gift Line: 888-930-4438
www.lcms.org