Support for Duroncelay Family

Our Support of a Katrina-Displaced Family
(October 4, 2005) 

In response to a request from the Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition (SSIHC), in partnership with the Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP), CCC has agreed to “adopt” a family displaced by hurricane Katrina.  MHP will provide housing for 10 families in Montgomery County and SSIHC will provide the support services for up to six months until the families recover from the initial shock of their loss.  SSIHC’s case managers will help family members access local services, find employment and develop a long-range plan. 

We don’t have too many details yet, but we do know that we will need you to consider two types of involvement in this effort.  First, we will need to furnish an apartment and provide household goods for the family.  This is the physical relocation part of what we will do.  Second, we will need to provide ongoing support and mentoring to assist the family becoming part of a new community.  Again, we’re not sure what this will include, but we know that training will be provided and that the CCC community will provide the level of support that this family needs. 

We expect to have more information about the family and the process in the few weeks (maybe sooner).  To keep you informed, we plan to post ongoing reminders in the bulletin and News Notes; update the Katrina section of the CCC web site on a regular basis; and actively communicate through a new listserve designated to this effort.  Please contact Holly Brooks if you would like to join the listserve.

 Ted Foster and Holly Brooks of the Board for Social Witness are chairing the committee; please feel free to contact either of them if you have questions or would like to participate.  Again, right now we don’t know what the specific needs are, but as soon as we do, we’ll let you know.

 Ted Foster, Holly Brooks
Katrina Family Relocation Committee

Update Household Needs List—10/13 

Thanks to your generosity and the generosity of your neighbors, we have almost everything we need.  We’ve moved most items into the apartment last night and plan to finish the move this coming Sunday.  Ted Foster is organizing the move.

The family can still use gas cards; gift cards to Target, Old Navy or other stores for clothing, grocery stores (Giant is the closest grocery store to the apartment), etc.  Again, you may want to consider purchasing Giant gift cards from the Y-GELI youth and supporting two great causes at the same time!

 Holly Brooks is keeping track of what is needed for the Duroncelay family.  Please contact her at 301-933-0285 (H), 240-645-4236 (W), or holb41@yahoo.com to be sure that no one else has already donated the item(s) you wish to contribute.