Red Cross works one-on-one with North Carolina residents
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Two weeks after Hurricane Florence struck the Carolinas, the American Red Cross is helping people get back on their feet with guidance about resources and the recovery process.
English and Spanish-speaking caseworkers are available to help people create personal recovery plans, navigate paperwork and locate assistance from the Red Cross and other agencies.
These trained caseworkers are meeting one-on-one with residents to help them with their specific disaster-caused emergency needs such as clean-up or housing assistance, transportation costs and furniture and clothing replacement.
“People often discover new challenges as they go through clean-up and recovery, and we want them to know that the Red Cross is still here to help them as they go through the process,” said James Jarvis, executive director, American Red Cross Cape Fear. “During the first days and weeks after a disaster, survivors may be focused on immediate needs like cleaning out their home. Later they may discover that they need help replacing documents or filing insurance claims, but don’t know where to start. They may also realize they are struggling to cope emotionally and need help. We want people to know the Red Cross is here to help.”
Red Cross caseworkers are available by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or at the following Multi-Agency Resource Center beginning Friday, September 28, 2018:
- New Hanover Multi-Agency Resource Center: Independence Mall, 3500 Oleander Dr., Wilmington, NC (enter between Ruby Tuesday and the former Sears store)
Friday, Sept. 28 | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 29 | 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Agencies, community and nonprofit organizations such as FEMA, Salvation Army, Department of Social Services, Department of Insurance and many more will be available to provide assistance.
Trained Red Cross health services workers are providing services to people at the shelters, including emotional support and replacing prescription medications and eyeglasses. More than 70 Red Cross food trucks are delivering supplies to storm-damaged neighborhoods, including food, water and clean-up supplies (bleach, mops, gloves, rakes and shovels).
As many residents begin returning home, some may find their homes unsafe. The Red Cross encourages any displaced residents to go to a Red Cross shelter or Multi-Agency Resource Center. To find shelter locations visit www.redcross.org/shelter. For emergencies call 9-1-1.
Since September 14th, 3,500 Red Cross workers have:
- Served 890,600 meals and snacks
- Distributed 110,700 relief supplies including comfort kits with hygiene items and clean-up kits
- Provided 113,200 overnight stays in shelters
- Made 28,100 mental health or health-related contacts
STAY SAFE
As people begin to clean up, the Red Cross encourages people to remember a few safety tips (see attached).
HOW YOU CAN HELP
All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.
Help people affected by disasters like hurricanes and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org/donate, or call 1-800-REDCROSS.
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