Family Advocates for the Victims of Hurricane Rita

TRAINING SUNDAY MARCH 26

1:00-6:00

UNITED METHODIST HOLY TEMPLE

PORT ARTHUR

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

As Family Advocates for the Victims of Hurricane Rita

It’s been almost 5 months since Hurricane Rita devastated Southeast Texas. Although some things have returned to normal, there are many, many families still suffering.

UMCOR Disaster Response is in the process of training Family Advocates to assist these families. The Christian Family Advocate is a special person acting out of a deep faith whose role is to enable/empower survivors to help themselves as much as possible. The job of the Family Advocate is to identify survivor’s needs and connect them to resources.

The Family Advocate works over the long-term with survivors to make an in-depth assessment of their needs in order to determine which are disaster-related, and then help the survivors develop a recovery plan. A Family Advocate must be a good communicator, must be resourceful and creative, persistent, patient and faithful.

The Southeast Texas Disaster Recovery Organization, a group of local congregations and faith based relief organizations, will support Family Advocates to find the resources, information and advocacy that they will need as they help disaster survivors rebuild their lives.

To be a Family Advocate, you are only required to attend one 6-hour training session.

If you think you would like to help in any way, please contact Christine Roberts at 409-543-6593 or email her at christiner@americanrealestate.com. If you have any questions or should you need additional information, please call Angela Baker at 409-892-0140 or 409-225-4380 or email her at praypatpers@yahoo.com.

We are operating under the 3 Ps --- Prayer, Patience & Persistence!

What is the Process?

• Pray!
• Attend one 6-hour training session
• Complete a Family Advocate Volunteer Application
• Meet with Angela Baker to review forms, resources, etc. that you will need to begin meeting with families
• Determine amount of time you are able to commit, which will then determine the number of families that you will be assigned
• Meet with family to begin the process
• Continue to pray!
• Follow through with family until they have completed the recovery process

PRAYER, PATIENCE, PERSISTANCE!

EAST TEXAS NEEDS YOU!

You know the saying, 'Can't see the forest through the trees!' Well, we need to start seeing the houses through the trees. Teams are needed to clear trees from roads and driveways, stack logs and prepare the area so residents can get in and out of their neighborhoods. This will allow the electricity to be restored and Insurance adjustors to begin their jobs. Please call the Disaster Response Center if you would like to Volunteer! The numbers are 713-533-3713 or 877-774-2700.


CASE WORKER TRAINING

Sign up on the Texas Annual Conference website!
On October 21, from 9 to noon at Fair Haven UMC on N. Gessner, UMCOR will lead a REFRESHER course for those who were trained during the Allison Storm. This course will give you all the up to date information to be able to become a Family Advocate and help them with their road to recovery.

On October 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fair Haven UMC on N. Gessner, UMCOR will hold the training for new Case Workers. This will be an inclusive training on how to walk besie a family dealing with insurance, health issues, jobs, and rebuilding their lives. You will be the link the family needs to regain independence.


VOLUNTEERS Needed for the Disaster Response Center!

The Call Center has been established at the Conference office. Please volunteer some time to help us facilitate the people who have been affected by the hurricanes. Sign up on the Conference Web site - www.txcumc.org or call 713-533-3713.

Disaster Preparedness Seminars are being offered through InterFaith Ministries of Houston. These seminars will prepare your church and family for any kind of natural or man made disaster. Only one training is necessary. You will receive a manual and information that will make your Hurricane season less stressful!

Contact Jessica Starkschall (713-533-4904) at jstarkschall@imgh.org for reservations.

Choose one of these options:

March 23 and 30 - Fellowship at Cinco Ranch in Katy (7 - 9 p.m.)

April 1 - Clear Lake United Methodist (9-2 p.m.)

April 8 - St. John's Presbyterian Church (9-2 p.m.)

April 22 - St. Dunstan's Episcopal (9-2 p.m.)

May 10 and 17- Grace Presbyterian Church (11-1)

Texas Annual Conference

5215 Main St.

Houston, Texas 77002

713-521-9383

FAX 713-521-3724