As we approach the one- year mark of the tornadoes that struck Lee County, the memorial and remembrance, we have some updated reports on where we stand in the recovery process. Several hundred people self- recovered giving testimony to communities that were prepared and had safety nets in place. As we call and check in with families, this is what we continue hearing and are encouraged. Currently, this is what Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM) with the Alabama West Florida Conference (AWF) of the United Methodist Church and in partnership with MEND are working upon.
Our case managers are working with survivors who are in the process of repairing and rebuilding. For those who were renting, we continue working to help them find an affordable and stable rental solution. The team of four case managers have 63 survivor cases to date. Thirteen are closed and fifty are in progress. Not all cases require rebuilding or repairing homes although this does make up the bulk of the response. Case management also includes trauma recovery, finding new rental homes, reclaiming lost property and more. Case managers help a survivor define what recovery means to them and develop a recovery plan, helps navigate with FEMA, SBA, and insurance companies, helps with medical issues from the storm and a wealth of other affects of the disaster. Surely the rebuilding and reconstruction is also a significant bulk of the response. Ultimately, the goal of disaster recovery is to help a survivor get as close to pre-disaster as possible with a focus on safe, sanitary and secure. Furthermore, it is to equip them to face whatever other storms may come throughout their journey.
Our team of two construction coordinators never have a slow day! Currently, we have completed 14 homes needing repairs many with extensive damage. There are 14 more in progress and six in the estimate stage. There over 13 more survivors getting in position to have their repairs or home replacements funded. Of the 13, there are approximately five needing to replace their homes. There are three housing rebuilding partners with whom we are working, Auburn Rural Studio, Fuller Center for Housing, and Mennonite Disaster Services. We are grateful to the funding partners who meet twice per month at the MEND funding table. There are representatives from the Community Foundation of East Alabama, Catholic Charities, East Alabama Medical Center, United Way, 10th Street Church of Christ, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and several local churches in our area. The City of Smiths Station has also funded a significant amount of recovery in their community. The funders have given $123,858 for the cases we have presented and a total of $247,983 (that we are aware of) for all clients! This does not consider the value of 14 homes and furniture given by Samaritan’s Purse and the 18 homes built by the Fuller Center.
The volume of volunteers is staggering! Many groups continue coming to serve. Sixty- four separate volunteer groups amounting to 922 volunteers and 11,602 volunteer hours have served in Lee County through our tracking system. This equates to $290,050 in donated labor! This does not include the Fuller build or several local churches in our area that have helped their neighbors and have done so quietly and without feeling the need to report their numbers. The Lee County EMA has a more comprehensive number that substantially increases this number. It points to churches and organizations that love Lee County and their neighbors!!!
What is left? Unfortunately, it is hard reaching everyone. Not everyone answers their phone or responds to our texts when we reach out to check and see how they are doing and their status. But, based upon those who do, we have made over 219 calls the past three months (and over 700 total). Many have self -recovered, many did not respond, but out of those numbers who did respond, approximately 30 have indicated needing more assistance. We have called everyone that applied to FEMA, are visiting those we have not been able to reach and sending another round of letters. We can honestly say we have worked through the entire FEMA list and have a disposition on everyone we have contacted or learned about the status from others.
Volunteer groups are lined up through the summer! ARM will host groups coming in from several places around the United States including Penn State University, University of Alabama, Ozark, AL, Arkansas and more to love on our community. March will be a big month of Spring Break teams and summer teams. ARM owns a church and parsonage in Tuskegee, Alabama where we can host large groups. We have triple-decker-bunk beds, six showers, a fellowship hall with kitchen, and lots of space dedicated to these volunteers. A small warehouse recently acquired will allow for better material and tool storage. Our construction coordinators pack tool bins, purchase materials, and assist the volunteers on sites. There are other churches in our community that also host teams expanding our capacity!
Recently a national organization called Stars of Hope USA www.starsofhopeusa.org travelled with their tour bus of hope into Lee County. Using art as therapy, they travel to disaster areas and hang decorated, wooden stars, painted by children from previous disaster areas from across the world. Shortly after the storm, these stars showed up throughout Lee County. Last week the tour bus came through so children in both Beauregard and Smiths Station could paint stars to go to other communities.
If you know of people in Lee County that were in the tornado path and did not receive help or maybe have discovered they could use an extra hand, please let us know. Our focus currently is on those who filed for FEMA assistance. However, we will continue working with anyone in the tornado track and whose damage or home repair needs are directly related to the storm. Finally, if you would like to volunteer, we would love to have you! Our next workday is March 21st. You can email Andrew Baird at andrew@arm-al.org. Our number is 334-501-4276 ext. 500 or ext 600.
We are encouraged each day and hope you are too!!!!
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