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Disaster Services

Rhode Island Vincentians Turning Apartments Into Homes

Rhode Island Vincentians Turning Apartments Into Homes 150 150 Pam Hudson

When tragedy strikes, communities rally around their most vulnerable members. This is the mark of a society. Many of us know, however, that recovering from a disaster takes more than temporary shelters, boxes of donated items, and a few weeks to get back on your feet. This is a process that can take place over months, even years. When the calendar changes and it seems everyone has forgotten those who are still in need: this is when the Society of St. Vincent de Paul makes a difference with financial support, presence, and prayer.

The work being done by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Rhode Island this summer is exemplary of the value of long-term assistance to our neighbors in need. On May 28, 2023, Simmons Village, an affordable housing apartment complex for aging and disabled residents in Johnston, Rhode Island, suffered a devastating fire. 45 households were affected, and 41 are still displaced one year later. Fortunately, the Society has been with these survivors every step of the way, and on May 30, 2024, Rhode Island Vincentians mobilized to package and personally deliver essential household items to the newly rebuilt complex. This material support is made possible through House in a Box, a Disaster Services program that delivers essential furniture and home supplies right to survivors’ doors, turning empty apartments into comfortable homes.

“The residents of Simmons Village have endured unimaginable hardship over the past year,” said Reneé Brissette Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Rhode Island. “Our Long-Term Disaster Services is designed to provide them with the essential items needed to start anew. We are committed with the help of the community to ensuring these families can return to a sense of normalcy and stability.”

Additionally, SVdP Rhode Island’s initiative will support the residents of Simmons Village with a grant from the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, USA, local community connections, and the generous support of fellow Vincentians. But the work is not done yet: Rhode Island Vincentians will continue to raise funds for the House in a Box program to provide as many residents as possible with basic furniture, linens, and housewares.

Johnston residents return home one year after fire destroys apartment building (turnto10.com)

Submitted by: SVdP Rhode Island

DISASTER SERVICES UPDATE

DISASTER SERVICES UPDATE 150 150 Pam Hudson

Dear Vincentians,

 

We are all familiar with the startling and isolating dread that can overwhelm us when the unthinkable happens, and our Vincentian principles call us to action. In the wake of a Midwestern tornado, Vincentian friendship, and service shines in the story of a neighbor in need of a place to rest.

 

As an aging member of the Seminole tribe, living alone in a rented house in Shawnee, Oklahoma on a fixed income, Jane was getting by. But disaster struck in 2023, when a spring tornado blew out her bedroom window, bringing devastating damage to the house and everything inside.

 

Although her landlord repaired the damage to the house itself, Jane had no renter’s insurance, so she couldn’t replace the furniture and personal items destroyed by the tornado. With FEMA funds exhausted on temporary housing and personal funds spent on other clean up, Jane had no way to obtain a new mattress, and she was left sleeping fretfully on her couch.

 

Thanks to support from donors, and a collaboration between an SVdP Disaster Representative, the Oklahoma City Archdiocesan Council, and disaster case managers at Oklahoma City Catholic Charities, Jane connected with the St. Andrew Conference in Moore, Oklahoma. The OKC Council purchased a new mattress using funds from a SVdP Long-Term Disaster Recovery Grant and mobilized St. Andrew Vincentians to deliver the mattress to their neighbor in need.

 

Jane was delighted to receive the final item necessary to put her home back in order and comfortably rest again, thanks to the help of dutiful Vincentians in collaboration with their community partners.

 

Identifying and fostering relationships with other local organizations empowers your Conference to better serve your neighbors when disaster strikes. Who do you know in your area involved in emergency management? Where are the gaps in community response that your Conference can help fill?

 

When Vincentians pursue these collaborative relationships, we strengthen our community bonds to the benefit of our Conferences, our neighbors, and our community partners.

 

In Christ,

The SVdP USA Disaster Services Corporation Team

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