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Groups offer ways to help
Archdiocese aids
Katrina refugees

By Michelle Martin
Staff writer

Hurricane Katrina focused her devastation on the Gulf coast, but the effects are being felt all over the country, including in Chicago.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago joined the city, not-for-profit agencies and other faith-based groups in opening up space for people fleeing the floods and offering whatever services they could.

“It’s a great impact and it’s getting more and more,” said Joan McConnell, who coordinates emergency assistance for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

By the end of the day Sept. 2, 40 people had called or shown up at Catholic Charities offices looking for assistance, she said, including both refugees and Chicago-area residents who were expecting large groups of relatives to arrive any time.

“We got a call from one woman expecting relatives who have eight children with them,” McConnell said. “They need food, clothing, everything.”

In those cases, Catholic Charities staff direct the families to the office closest to them, and then coordinate with the satellite offices to make sure they have what they need to help, McConnell said.

Father Michael Boland, administrator of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, asked area Catholics for their prayers and their help—both for efforts in the South and at home.

“While we mourn for the heavy loss of lives and homes, we are thankful for the many people in the city of Chicago who have joined with us in order to help their brothers and sisters in need,” Boland said. “Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is working to provide emergency assistance to persons coming to our agency from hurricane-stricken areas.

“We have also created a Disaster Relief Fund in order to aid Catholic Charities agencies in the areas hardest hit by the hurricane: New Orleans; Baton Rouge, La.; Houma Thibodaux, La.; Biloxi, Miss.; Jackson, Miss., Mobile, Ala.; and Miami.

These Catholic Charities agencies are preparing to provide emergency assistance to those who come to us in need of food, clothing, shelter, housing and counseling once it is safe to return to those communities hit by the hurricane. Catholic Charities will also provide long-term recovery help to victims, including rental assistance, food vouchers, cash vouchers, counseling, and job-placement services.”

Following the Labor Day weekend, McConnell was gearing for more appeals for help. Most people who had arrived so far had driven from the New Orleans area, she said, it took time for them to make their way north. According to Catholic Charities officials, the state of Illinois was expecting about 2,500 refugees.

Just over 100 people arrived Sept. 1 on a United Airlines flight, coordinated by the United Way. Most of them had relatives in the Chicago area. But Catholic Charities worked with Maryville Academy to offer the residential child care facility, which has been cleared of state wards after allegations of misconduct, for the housing of seniors and families. Catholic Charities was also working with the city of Chicago and the archdiocese to find other facilities that could house refugees, said April Specht, a spokesperson for Catholic Charities.

On Sept. 6, Catholic Charities welcomed volunteers to Solace House on Sangamon Street to help prepare the shelter to receive people.

In addition, Catholic Charities’ Development Department put out the call for welcoming baskets that would include clean towels, sheets for double beds and gift cards for Target to purchase personal care items and clothing. These donations can be dropped off at any one of Catholic Charities’ emergency assistance sites or at the main office at 721 North LaSalle Street.

Many families taking in relatives do not have the resources to provide for them, McConnell said.

“Most people coming here have a cousin, an aunt, some kind of connection,” she said. “They might be barely making it, and they can’t support 11 more. But they make do. That’s what families do.”

Catholic Charities will begin by offering the basics—food, clothing, etc.—but also will provide ongoing social services and, eventually, help relocating.

“It’s going to be a long time before they go back,” she said, “if they ever do.

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Catholic Charities USA:
To contribute, call (800) 919-9338, click on www.catholiccharitiesusa.org or send checks to Catholic Charities USA, 2005 Hurricane Relief Fund, PO Box 25168, Alexandria, VA 22313-9788. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, mail checks to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Disaster Relief Fund, 721 North LaSalle St., Chicago, Illinois 60610, or visit www.catholiccharities.net or www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council has pledged $2.5 million in financial assistance and announced that it will match any donations in excess of that over the next 60 days. Of the money pledged, $250,000 will be given immediately to Catholic Charities in affected areas, and $1.25 million will be used to give immediate assistance to those made homeless by the hurricane. The last $1 million will be used to rebuild the estimated 130 Catholic schools destroyed or severely damaged by the storm. Checks can be made payable to Knights of Columbus Charities USA Inc. and sent to Knights of Columbus Charities USA Inc., Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 9028, Pittsfield, MA 01202-9028 Attn: Hurricane KATRINA Relief.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul National Council will be coordinating volunteer efforts to those areas affected by this disaster. Individuals or organizations who are interested in helping in the recovery effort are encouraged to contact the national office at (314) 576-3993.

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