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 Our community and communities much like ours have responded generously to those affected by disasters on the Gulf Coast, particularly those who came to our area seeking refuge. Through partnerships with local human service providers, faith-based organizations, local government and United Way 2-1-1, the most immediate needs of the survivors who came to the Chattanooga area have been met.
Minimum estimates indicate that 600 people remain in the area following the hurricane. Now, the challenge is to begin addressing long-term issues that will affect these survivors, including finding permanent housing, job services, child care services, counseling and supportive services. Now is the time to start rebuilding lives. United Way, partnering with the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, area faith-based organizations and strategic agency-partners, has established the “Rebuilding Lives Initiative.”
The Rebuilding Lives Initiative aims to provide a continuum of services to survivors who remain in the Chattanooga area as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Through the initiative, teams of skilled people will seek out and work with survivors to assess their greatest ongoing needs, then assure that they are connected to the resources that will best meet their needs, and from there provide support to help survivors regain self-sufficiency and independence. The initiative will also coordinate the use of dollars donated from funding sources in the most effective and efficient way to maximize state and federal disaster funding.
Survivors will be identified through United Way 2-1-1, Chattanooga Housing Authority and faith-based congregations who may already be helping many of these people. These survivors will then be referred to specially-trained resource managers who will assess clients’ needs and refer them to the assistance they need.
The Rebuilding Lives initiative will be in effect for six months, with ongoing services available through our existing social services community.
Proceeds from United Way’s Katrina Survivor Services Fund will be used to fund this initiative. To date, this fund has raised approximately $165,000 to assist in improving the lives of those affected by Hurricane Katrina, 100% of which will be distributed as part of United Way’s Rebuilding Lives Initiative. |
If you need help: Dial 2-1-1 (or 265-8000)
To volunteer: Call 752-0351 (during normal business hours)
Member organizations of the Rebuilding Lives Task Force include:
Human services partners:
Faith-based partners:
Government partners:
Funding partners:
- SunTrust Bank
- Tucker Foundation
- Chattanooga Area Combined Federal Campaign
- Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union
- Southeast Eye Specialists
- Individual donors
Other links:
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