Red Cross Holds Sandy Recovery Training

During February, the American Red Cross coordinated training sessions at its Greater New York regional headquarters for disaster case managers to learn more about Superstorm Sandy recovery resources. Workers from various disaster case management agencies including Catholic Charities, Henry Street Settlement, Lutheran Social Services, The Salvation Army and the Red Cross attended. Organizations making presentations included several groups that received Sandy grant funding from the Red Cross.

Pictured: Rev. Thia Reggio, disaster relief coordinator, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

On Feb. 7, 2014, NECHAMA Jewish Response to Disaster and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) provided information about Sandy resources from their organizations. In June, NECHAMA received a $250,000 Red Cross grant to repair and rebuild 100 homes in New York and New Jersey. In August, PDA received a $1.4 million grant from the Red Cross to coordinate volunteer housing for Sandy relief workers.

Pictured: Arden Sokolow, director, New York Rising

 On Feb. 12, 2014, a representative from New York Rising spoke about its Sandy recovery program. New York Rising is a New York State-based, federally-funded program established to provide housing assistance to eligible residents who sustained damage to their dwellings during Superstorm Sandy. Types of assistance include home buy-outs, repairs, rebuilds and reimbursement for home repair expenses.

Pictured L-R: Adam Keehn, director Sandy Recovery Program, Save the Children and Nicole Nobles, director of disaster services, HOPE Worldwide

On Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, Church World Service, Save the Children, and HOPE Worldwide spoke about services they are providing to people affected by the storm. Each of the organizations received Sandy grants from the Red Cross in September 2013. Save the Children was awarded $1.5 million for child care restoration programs and psycho-social support programs in New York and New Jersey. Church World Service received $305,395 for interagency support. HOPE worldwide was awarded $704,000 for volunteer management and coordination and youth programs in New York and New Jersey.