LAPLACE – The St. John the Baptist Parish Long Term Recovery Group continues to move forward with recovery efforts 10 months after Hurricane Isaac.
Although much work has been completed, some residents in St. John Parish continue to have unmet needs. As a result, the SJBP LTRG continues to request additional materials and volunteers.
CitiImpact Ministries, a non-profit organization from Charlotte, N.C., recently donated a truckload of construction materials, including pallets of lumber and shingles. In an effort to assist with continuing Hurricane Isaac recovery in St. John Parish, these supplies will be allocated to volunteers and non-profit organizations to repair homes throughout the parish. The selection of projects is based on the greatest need and eligibility.
The SJBP LTRG has provided coordinated management of long-term recovery since Hurricane Isaac and continues to advocate for ongoing resources within all volunteer agencies active in disasters. The group will welcome World Renew Disaster Response Services back to St. John Parish in the fall. The all-volunteer disaster relief organization conducted a detailed assessment of long-term recovery needs following Hurricane Isaac, and it is returning to provide construction rebuilding assistance.
World Renew plans to rotate shifts of 18-22 volunteer work crews every three weeks from Sept. 21 through spring 2014 or until all rebuilding assistance is completed. The SJBP LTRG is responsible for identifying sufficient projects for work crews to complete during its tenure in St. John Parish. Homes will be selected for repair based on recommendations derived from case management, which will be conducted by Catholic Charities and other volunteer agencies through the SJBP LTRG and the Volunteer Reception Center.
Residents who still need rebuilding assistance are encouraged to register through the VRC by visiting the office at 1933 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace (New Wine Complex), calling 985-359-0254 or emailing isaacassistance@gmail.com.
To date, the parish has received assistance from more than 1,300 volunteers working over 32,000 hours. Since the formation of the SJBP LTRG, $179,330 has been allocated for recovery and work completed on more than 800 homes.
Anyone interested in donating supplies and/or materials should contact the Volunteer Assistance Hotline at 985-359-1024. Monetary donations can be made to St. John United Way (designate for SJBP Long Term Recovery Group), P.O. Box 2019, Reserve, LA 70084; or to the “Hurricane Isaac Recovery Fund,” First National Bank, 377 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace, LA 70068, or online at www.hurricaneisaacrecoveryfund.com.
For more information on St. John Long-Term Recovery visit stjohnrecovery.com.