Minutes – December 5, 2005 – 1:00 pm

Long-Term Recovery Committee of Southwestern Indiana Meeting

 

22 groups with 27 persons attending.

Randy Anderson, UMCOR, Chairman

Shane O'Neill, Presbyterian Disaster Relief, Vice-Chairman

Teresa M. Julian, ARC, Secretary

Groups Attending: Abundant Life Community Church Adventist Community Services American Red Cross Bethany Christian Church CAPE Catholic Charities Evansville Goodwill Industries FEMA IN-KY Conference, United Church of Christ Lighthouse Mission of Faith Outreach Ministries Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Salvation Army St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Newburgh Food Pantry and Newburgh Thrift Shop St. Vincent DePaul Society SW Indiana Mental Health Center Thrivent Financial Lutheran Tri-State Food Bank United Methodist Committee on Relief United Way

 

Attending: (in order, clockwise around each table)

Randy Anderson                 United Methodist Committee on Relief

Teresa Julian                       American Red Cross volunteer

Shane O'Neill                     Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Daniel (Dan) Lovell             Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

                                                   (Week of Compassion)

Jeff Ferguson                      Abundant Life Community Church

Judi Early                           Evansville Goodwill Industries

Lynne Imes                         Outreach Ministries

James Collins                      Catholic Charities

Catherine Cykowski           FEMA

Carolyn Harmon                 St. Vincent DePaul Society

Donna Carr                        Catholic Charities

Debbie Burns                     Adventist Community Services

Capt. Georgia Rodgers       The Salvation Army

Jim Morgan                        Thrivent Financial for Lutheran

Joyce Cosby                      American Red Cross

Rick Paul                            Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center

Mary Anna Speller             IN-KY Conference, United Church of Christ

Father Joseph L. Ziliak       St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and

                                                Newburgh Food Pantry and

                                                Newburgh Thrift Shop

Melanie Doty                      Lighthouse Mission of Faith

Betty Shumate                    FEMA / Voluntary Agency Liaison

Barbara Tonkin                  Tri-State Food Bank

Stephanie Norrick              United Way

Ken Hortin                         UMCOR

Scott Putler                        UMCOR

Tarrell Thompson               UMCOR

Mike Wilson                       CAPE

Alice Weathers                   CAPE

 

**********

 

The meeting was called to order by Randy Anderson, Chair.  Each person introduced themselves and the organization they represented.

 

The minutes of November 28, 2005, were read and approved.

 

Agenda:

·        The Broad Picture

·        Elect Treasurer

·        Begin Formulation of Sub-Groups

·        Determine a Fiscal Agent

·        501(c)(3)

·        Church World Grant received ($2500)

·        Caseworker Training (When/Where)

·        Cell Phone Numbers on Web Site

·        HOPE

 

Item 1 – The Broad Picture

The following diagram was drawn on the board and discussed.

 

1)      18-24 Caseworkers will be needed.  The training will be held on 12/13 at 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at Epworth United Methodist Church at the corner of Epworth Road and Lincoln Ave.  (Teresa will announce this to everyone via email or by phone.)  All are invited to attend, even if they do not plan to be a caseworker themselves.  All should announce this within their own organizations and invite volunteers from their agency to attend.  The case managers will choose 1-2 persons themselves.

2)      2-1-1 fielded 200 calls in November, but few were from survivors.  St. Luke volunteer center is now closed, and operations have been moved to Epworth UMC.  UMCOR has offered to pay for an office, including phone with voicemail and utilities, as well as 1 full-time person for 1 year.  A public announcement is/will be needed and FEMA (Cathy Cykowski) is working on one now.  Cathy needs the hours and the phone number.

3)      Finances – fund managements and fund raising (i.e., there is a need for an oversized wheelchair right now) – Church World has agreed to provide their full grant of $2500 for seed money to begin our group, but election of a treasurer is required, as well as a 501(c)(3) organization willing to act as a fiscal agent to funnel the funds for our committee.  Thrivent also has $8000 available.  Resources need to be pooled for use as a group, for example representatives to visit vendors as advocates for clients (i.e., King's offer of double-mfg. discounts).  Jim Collins, Catholic Charities volunteered offered Catholic Charities as the fiscal agent, and also offered to serve as chair.  Melanie Doty also volunteered to serve.

4)      Volunteers – Disaster News Network announced a request for volunteers.  HCRN is still involved.  Our goal as a committee should be No Gaps in service delivery.  We don't want three agencies helping one family while another family's needs are left unmet.  We should utilize all our volunteers effectively.

 

Items 2 & 4 – Elect Treasurer and Fiscal Agent

A motion to nominate Jim Collins, Catholic Charities, as Treasurer was made by Teresa Julian.  Motion was seconded by Rick Paul, Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center.  Motion carried by show of hands, none opposed.

 

The minutes also need to reflect the election by the entire group of the fiscal agent.  A motion was made by Father Joseph Ziliak to utilize the 501(c)(3) status of Catholic Charities as administered by our newly elected Treasurer, Jim Collins, also of Catholic Charities, as our fiscal agent for the Long-Term Recovery Committee of Southwestern Indiana.  Debbie Burns, Adventist Community Services, seconded the motion.  Motion carried by show of hands, none opposed.

 

Item 3 – Sub-Groups

1)      Finance & Resources – Jim Collins volunteered to chair this group.  Members Carolyn Harmon (St. Vincent dePaul Society), Jim Morgan (Thrivent), Barbara Tonkin (Tri-State Food Bank), and Melanie Doty (Lighthouse Mission of Faith) volunteered for service in this group.  The chair informed them that Church World suggested 3 people should be able to sign checks for the group.

2)      Marketing and Public Awareness – Father Joseph Ziliak volunteered to chair this group.  Members Cathy Cykowski (FEMA), Teresa Julian (ARC), Stephanie Norrick (United Way), and Debbie Burns (Adventist Community Services) volunteered for service in this group.

3)      Case Managers – will choose their own caseworkers.  Each member agency should invite volunteers from their respective groups to attend training on Tuesday, 12/13, so the pool from which volunteers are chosen will be larger. A job description for caseworkers includes calling on clients, identifying their unmet needs (versus their "wants" – i.e., tree stump removal would be a want, not a need) – actually spend real time with their clients, then report back to the case manager all unmet needs or solvable problems.

 

Mary Anna Speller (IN-KY Conference, United Church of Christ) said in her experience, caseworkers should become good advocates for their clients, good listeners.  With many caseworkers, the case load can be limited to 1-2 cases per caseworker, thus allowing those that work full time to be involved.  But a caseworker must also be able to ask the hard questions, like seeing financial records and sometimes saying NO.

 

There currently is no web site for survivors, but one can be started if the need exists.

 

One-Stop Shop – was brought up.  The lease has been signed, only the key is needed.  It is hoped that will open this week.  The new office being sponsored by UMCOR will be known as the Disaster Office, and the hours and the phone number should be available by Wednesday.

 

Outreach Ministries announced some specific needs, especially for those that were in trouble financially before the disaster.  Teresa responded that Work One's deadline for disaster unemployment is December 16.  CAPE responded that they administer Section 8 housing for the county (outside city limits only) and had 5-6 vouchers it may be able to make available and also may be able to bypass the waiting list for urgency sake.  These vouchers would be for rental assistance (partial – would pay most but not all) for up to 1 years.  In addition, a one-time energy assistance of $225 may also be available, as well as food vouchers.  Those interested should contact Mike Wilson, 483-8850.

 

Some survivors in USI housing were informed they must be out by Friday.  Joyce reported that had always been the plan as it was only available for one month.  FEMA offered to assist those having to move, as well as offering rental assistance.  However, FEMA process must be followed, which requires them to get into a rental property and show receipts.  This approval must be updated every 2 months, but FEMA will pay up to 18 months rent as long as their process (which requires them to look for permanent housing and show evidence of their search and failure to find) is followed.  ARC does still pay the first month's deposit, HOPE provides possible down payment assistance, and CAPE is building 2 homes right now.

 

Case Management training on 12/13 was reiterated.  Three Case Managers were present – Donna Carr (Catholic Charities), Capt. Georgia Rodgers (Salvation Army), and Joyce Cosby (American Red Cross).  Donna will be choosing 2-3 caseworkers but had not done so by meeting time.  Capt. Rodgers has one chosen, and Joyce will choose 2.  CAPE offered to send 5 volunteers to the training, and several from the group said they may attend themselves.

 

A consensus was reached that each sub-groups decisions would be trusted and respected.  Separate meetings involving only the committee chairpersons were also suggested.

 

Randy introduced Ken and Scott to the group, representatives from UMCOR that had been helping him a lot as volunteers.  Tarrell, also from UMCOR, will be handling the kitchen to feed any and all group volunteers.  Tarrell said the trainer for case management (Gordon Knuckey – spelling?) was someone he knew and respected.  Ken questioned whether cold weather would impact or limit our recovery efforts, and Debbie responded that cold weather months made it actually easier to find contractors, both paid and volunteer.

 

Setting priorities with our casework and adequately supplying our volunteers were also deemed as important by the group at large.

 

Cell Phone Numbers on Web Site – Some have expressed concern that their cell phone numbers are available online.  Any not wishing to display their cell phone number as a contact number should contact Teresa Julian at 453-2730 or tmjulian61@aol.com to have it removed.

 

New Business

1)      Teresa Julian (ARC) presented a report on HOPE (since the representative for their presentation did not arrive)… HOPE provides training for people to buy a home by teaching them the process.  They then find a home and HOPE acts as an advocate with the banks.  Must be qualified (similar to Habitat's 30-50% median area income based on family size).  Located in the 1^st floor of the Kennedy building just off 6^th Street, downtown Evansville, southeast of the Executive Inn parking garage (enter on the SE side of the building).  If a client's credit is too poor to obtain a home loan, HOPE offers to teach and help increase their credit score.  Cost is $15, with $60 for the mortgage course.  Up to $5000 can be provided for down payment assistance, and $1000 is then forgiven of that debt each year the family stays in the home.  (They must live in the home a full 5 years to receive this offer.)  They cover the entire city, not just Pigeon Township.  HOPE can also assist with "First Home PLUS" dollars in Vanderburgh, Posey, Gibson, Warrick, Spencer, Dubois, Pike and Perry counties, and those loans are at 4.99%.

2)      An Evening of Giving – Teresa met with Sean Ferguson, Marketing Director for Simon Properties in Eastland Mall.  He expressed an interest in increasing participation in the mall's fundraising opportunity in November 2006, and the following details were presented:

a)      an organization is given tickets to sell

b)      tickets sell for $10, org. keeps $7

c)      $3 goes to SyF (Simon Youth Foundation) helping low-income, at-risk kids (includes scholarship prog.)

d)      HQ is in Indianapolis

e)      Retailers offer special discounts (to ticket-holders only)

f)        Entertainment and Door Prizes (i.e., fashion show, barbershop quartets, philharmonic, Santa)

g)      Average attendance:  1500-4000  (2005 saw ~ 2500) – Goal: 10,000 in attendance

h)      2005 – 50 participants – Goal: 25 large agencies/organizations

i)        Formerly advertised in newspaper – no ad for 2006 – all invited to attend organizational (tba) in late Jan.

j)        2006 will mark event's 4^th year

k)      Tickets sell in Aug/Sept/Oct/ and half of Nov

l)        November 19, 2006

 

The meeting went to Sub-Group meetings at 2:30.  All were dismissed by 2:50 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Teresa Julian

Secretary, LTRCSI