Interfaith group aids victims of flood

Staff

Published Sunday, January 30, 2005

By Ann Austin, Tribune staff writer

For most, only memories remain of the floods last September. But many people still have needs that have not been addressed.

"They don't feel like they're getting any community support," said Nancy Beers, Lutheran Social Service case work manager. Beers was hired from a grant through LSS to identify families and individuals who need moral support or help rebuilding some part of their life or home.

"We're really one of the few groups that's willing to sit down and listen to a family tell their story ... coming up with a plan to recover as much as possible," Beers said.

About a week after the initial flooding, groups of churches were called together to respond to the needs of people who were affected. They quickly began to organize efforts and after FEMA did its assessment, pulled resources to offer both emotional and some financial assistance to families through the Interfaith Disaster Response group. The group helps serve unmet needs in the community and has worked steadily since the flood to try and contact people who had loss from the flooding.

"The reason we are so motivated is because we have been listening to these stories. We want something to happen in response," said the Rev. Richard Spande, who has helped head the interfaith group.

Interfaith has targeted neighborhoods in a seven-county area, where FEMA indicated people had lost the most. Beers has been able to reach 107 families or individuals and is still waiting to hear from 37 others.

"We have tried to seek out people but at the same time we respect the privacy issues," Beers said. They will not contact someone unless they have permission and never use names, but instead assign everyone case numbers.

People who feel they have problems that have not been addressed should contact Beers.

"If there are people out there who feel they have a legitimate claim or if they sense they have some needs and haven't contacted the organization, feel free to call and their case will be assessed just like the others. Not everybody is going to be made whole, but their story will be listened to," said Dick Graves, Lutheran Disaster Response representative of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.

Not everyone will receive money from the group. "We have a method of giving out money that has criteria that has been established to target people who need it the most," Beers said. Top priorities are mold and asbestos abatement, which can both cause long-term health problems if not addressed.

"What's important about forming an interfaith is there are funds available from faith based and nonprofit organizations but only if you form an interfaith," Beers said.

Interfaith is funded by many donors including Catholic Charities, United Way, Salvation Army and United Methodist Church, but many churches and agencies donate funds to the cause. Rotary clubs in the area also donated $16,000 worth of gifts and gift certificates from local business also affected by the floods, to give to 160 local families who were assisted by the interfaith group.

But volunteers have also made all the difference with their clean-up efforts to people who are still helping re-build homes or give emotional support. Interfaith is especially thankful to the Sentenced to Serve group who worked so hard to clean up after the floods.

Before the flood, there was no interfaith group to give aid to people who lost so much. But now both Austin and Albert Lea churches have a vision to provide interfaith disaster response to the seven-county area. Two groups were formed: Southern Minnesota Interfaith Disaster Response Network and Austin Area Interfaith Disaster Response. They are working to form a committee which will meet once every six months to keep current on issues in their communities. Once another disaster hits, they will be ready to respond.

"We were a week late with response because we didn't know about (Lutheran Disaster Response), but now we won't be late anymore," Spande said.

Flood victims who need assistance may contact Nancy Beers at (507) 381-1899 or fax 373-7453.

(Contact Ann Austin at ann.austin@albertleatribune.com or 379-3435.)

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