(no subject)
So I did that training today. It started at 9:00 am, I shadowed another caseworker at 11:00 am and had my first case of my own at 11:30 am. Basically my job is to talk to people who were living in the effected area, hear their stories, write down the important details for the Red Cross, point out the other agencies in the facility that would have services they need, then give them a debit card to help them with their emergency funds. I've signed up to go on Sundays from 7am-3pm and Fridays from 7am-6pm.
I guess there are four facilities in the Chicagoland area that are providing this sort of aid. They're located at:
Fosco Park (7am-11pm)
1312 S. Racine
Chicago, IL 60608
(312)746-5086
Romeoville Community Facility (8:30am-6pm)
1293 Windham Parkway
Romeoville, IL 60446
(630)378-0344
Arlington Heights Community Facility (8:30am-6pm)
544 W. Northwest Highway
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847)255-0703
Mundelein Community Facility (8:30am-6pm)
535 N. Lake
Mundelein, Illinois 60060
(847)949-1000
They're not all run by the Red Cross, but the Red Cross is at all four locations offering funds to those who've been hit by Katrina.
I heard a lot of stories while I was there, and it occurred to me that these stories should get told. If you're reading this and you've been effected by Katrina, post a comment with your story. If you're reading this and you haven't been effected by Katrina, read the comments.
I discovered something new about FEMA today. They're offering "small business" funds to Katrina victims, but they're not making those funds available until at least two weeks after someone applies. Which means for two weeks they're screwed unless they manage to get aid from non-governmental organizations like the Red Cross.
I also heard a story today about how an entire apartment building in New Orleans was trapped without electricity or water from Sunday when the storm hit until the government finally sent a rescue helicopter to that area the following Friday. Five days without water, and for a lot of them without food as well. I wouldn't be surprised if it was that entire neighborhood too. I can't wait until I find a way to get down there.
I urge all who read this to link to my LJ wherever you can. Spread the word about what's really going on in the Gulf Coast and what the government is doing to people who've already been through hell.
-Tito
I guess there are four facilities in the Chicagoland area that are providing this sort of aid. They're located at:
Fosco Park (7am-11pm)
1312 S. Racine
Chicago, IL 60608
(312)746-5086
Romeoville Community Facility (8:30am-6pm)
1293 Windham Parkway
Romeoville, IL 60446
(630)378-0344
Arlington Heights Community Facility (8:30am-6pm)
544 W. Northwest Highway
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847)255-0703
Mundelein Community Facility (8:30am-6pm)
535 N. Lake
Mundelein, Illinois 60060
(847)949-1000
They're not all run by the Red Cross, but the Red Cross is at all four locations offering funds to those who've been hit by Katrina.
I heard a lot of stories while I was there, and it occurred to me that these stories should get told. If you're reading this and you've been effected by Katrina, post a comment with your story. If you're reading this and you haven't been effected by Katrina, read the comments.
I discovered something new about FEMA today. They're offering "small business" funds to Katrina victims, but they're not making those funds available until at least two weeks after someone applies. Which means for two weeks they're screwed unless they manage to get aid from non-governmental organizations like the Red Cross.
I also heard a story today about how an entire apartment building in New Orleans was trapped without electricity or water from Sunday when the storm hit until the government finally sent a rescue helicopter to that area the following Friday. Five days without water, and for a lot of them without food as well. I wouldn't be surprised if it was that entire neighborhood too. I can't wait until I find a way to get down there.
I urge all who read this to link to my LJ wherever you can. Spread the word about what's really going on in the Gulf Coast and what the government is doing to people who've already been through hell.
-Tito