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Red Cross News Release about Partnership with Catholic Charities Louisiana Spirit after the 2007 tornado
Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross partners with Louisiana Spirit Hurricane Recovery to provide relief to victims of disaster
NEW ORLEANS, La., Feb. 17, 2007 – In the wake of the tornado that struck New Orleans in the early morning hours of Feb. 12, the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross collaborated with one of its newest partner agencies to provide services to those affected by the disaster.
Louisiana Spirit Hurricane Recovery is a non-profit agency that was formed after hurricanes Katrina and Rita to provide counseling to disaster victims. Organized under Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, the agency specializes in addressing the mental health needs of those affected by disaster and assisting them with recovery development planning, counseling and referrals.
“Many victims of the hurricanes are suffering from stress and depression,” according to Kelli Bertrand, community cultural liaison for the organization, headquartered in Baton Rouge. “After the storms, New Orleans was left with few mental health agencies or clinics. Louisiana Spirit works to provide people with long-term plans for self-sufficiency, and refers them to the resources to achieve these goals.”
Louisiana Spirit outreach teams began work early Tuesday morning, going door-to-door canvassing affected neighborhoods. “Most of the area that the tornado struck was an old, established neighborhood,” said crisis counselor Nicole Green, of Gretna. “Neighbors were helping neighbors, families were coming in to take care of relatives, the young were helping the elderly. They provided their own support system.”
But there was a very vulnerable population left devastated by the storm – Katrina survivors living in temporary housing in a motel that was destroyed by the tornado. “They do not have the same type of support system as the rest of the neighborhood,” said Ms. Green.
Louisiana Spirit counselors assessed the needs of the residents and directed those in need of immediate shelter to Red Cross shelters in the area. There, volunteers from the Southeast Louisiana chapter provided the evacuees with meals and a clean, safe place to stay. With clients’ immediate needs being taken care of by the Red Cross, Louisiana Spirit counseling teams arrived at the shelters to determine clients’ longer-term needs. Ms. Bertrand explained how the agency provides assistance: “A staff of professional social workers provide an initial assessment of a family’s or an individual’s needs, beginning by simply listening and offering emotional support. We are trained to look for signs of emotional distress.”
The agency offers specialized counseling for children and the elderly population.
After the initial assessment, caseworkers work with clients to determine their short-term needs and to set long-term recovery goals.
Clients take charge of their own recovery by setting their own goals. “Our staff works one-on-one with the clients as they set up a plan for their own futures,” states Ms. Bertrand. “We arrange home visits, make referrals to agencies that can provide assistance, follow up with clients, and make adjustments to the plan if circumstances change, or if new assistance becomes available.”
Louisiana Spirit maintains an extensive database of agencies and organizations such as counseling and health clinics, local housing authorities, legal aid societies, local Red Cross chapters, and FEMA, that can offer services to meet clients’ needs. The database is updated continually by the Louisiana Spirit staff. Referrals are made to local agencies, often within a client’s own parish, in order to help the client move toward self-sufficiency by building a local network of support.
Counselors for the agency must have a master’s degree in a social work or a related field, and a license in social work is preferred. The agency maintains a 24-hour help line, as well as a talk line for those who are depressed or suicidal. “Our trained staff is always on call,” says Ms. Bertrand. “We want to hear from you.”
Ms. Bertrand notes that there is often an initial resistance to asking for mental health assistance. "Clients will often come in looking for financial aid, then come back for emotional help after their immediate needs have been met.” Anyone seeking assistance from Louisiana Spirit is guaranteed complete confidentiality.
Those affected by Tuesday’s tornado are in good spirits, according to Ms. Gustin. “They are building their new support community with each other within the shelter,” she states. “They are grateful for the help they are receiving from the Red Cross and from the community. They say that this could have been worse, and they are already making plans to move on.”
For around the clock recovery assistance, call Louisiana Spirit Hurricane Recovery at 1-866-891-2210. To talk about feelings of depression, call their Cope Line at 1-800-273-8255. |
