The Changing Face of Recovery

When we first arrived in Mobile and began working as case managers, we attended a weekly resource meeting which was attended by representatives from a wide variety of agencies working locally. FEMA, Red Cross, Volunteers of America, and United Way, as well as several faith based organizations, especially Catholic, Mennonite, Methodist, and Lutheran agencies were all in conversation together.

It was important for them to meet each week because the available aid was changing so quickly, as new programs and funding became available. And of course, each new program came with its own set of eligibility criteria. My point is, the rapid change was caused by new and additional aid becoming available. Projections were that recovery in the Bayou La Batre area of south Alabama would take another 3+ years, with recovery in Mississippi and Louisiana taking far longer.

Now, sadly, only nine months later, we are already watching many of those programs run out of funds and shift focus or end completely. Resource meetings have become sporadic, as many of the people who were planning or attending have already left these agencies or left the area.

Much of the money that was allocated for southern Alabama has already been spent, while many, many homes still remain unrepaired. Deadlines are beginning to close in. For example, the final date to apply for Katrina aid is May 15. I admit, that deadline seems quite reasonable. It has now been 20 months – almost two years - since Katrina made landfall on the Gulf coast. Those who need recovery assistance have surely had an adequate opportunity to come forward and apply for help.

The much more difficult deadline for me to grasp is the one at the end of August. By that time, all those seeking government funds for assistance with the repair or replacement of their homes in Alabama must have not only applied for the assistance, but their cases must already be approved by the local Long Term Recovery Committee AND the repairs must already be completed AND all the bills submitted for payment. (Fortunately, that deadline has been extended for other areas even more severely affected in MS and LA.)

Now, the rush is on to submit all these cases to the LTRC and get the work done as quickly as possible. But many will not be completed by this deadline. So that means that many will be left hoping and praying for further assistance, primarily from the faith-based organizations like LDR. Fortunately, the end date for those who are receiving FEMA housing assistance has recently been extended into 2008 – so those most in need do have additional time to make repairs, find new jobs, and get back on their feet before they lose that assistance.

Unfortunately, while LDR has a commitment to remaining at work in an area until the recovery is complete, changes are already underway to reduce the expense of running the local office. Now, more than ever, our prayers, donations, and volunteer labor are needed to support the work of LDR and other agencies, so that they can continue to help the victims of Katrina.