State and local organizations collaborating to help Southwest Michigan residents recover from flood disaster
MEDIA RELEASE
UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN
4.25.18
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ryan Cheevers / 269.932.3546
State and local organizations collaborating to help Southwest Michigan residents recover from flood disaster
A Long-Term Recovery Group has been formed to provide recovery services to residents and families affected by the flooding in Southwest Michigan.
United Way of Southwest Michigan is hosting bi-monthly meetings with many state and local organizations focused on uniting resources with community needs in order to ensure that everyone impacted recovers from this disaster.
“There are many families still displaced from their homes. Some have homes that can’t be repaired. These families are having to live with other family members or stay in hotels. The organizations from this recovery group are fighting for those people who need our help. We want to see everyone recover from this disaster,” states Anna Murphy, United Way of Southwest Michigan President.
This collaborative effort includes the following organizations: Berrien Community Foundation, United Way of Southwest Michigan, The American Red Cross of Southwest Michigan, The Salvation Army, Niles Corps, City of Niles, Michigan State Police Office of Emergency Management, Berrien County Office of Emergency Management, Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency, Emergency Shelter Services, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), 1st Presbyterian Church (Niles), Neighbor to Neighbor, Berrien County Community Development and Andrews University.
These organizations represent various functions of the recovery effort from funding, case management, volunteer coordination, construction coordination, community communications to emotional and spiritual care. A big first step for this group is bringing on a Disaster Case Manager that can coordinate necessary services and resources to address the needs of those still impacted.
“On behalf of the Long-Term Recovery Group, we’d like to express our thanks to all of the volunteers and donors who have helped out so much this spring. The money raised, items collected, and the volunteers mobilized have made a big impact in Southwest Michigan,” added Murphy.
If you are someone still in need of recovery assistance, please contact Jan Radde, Project Coordinator of Impact at United Way of Southwest Michigan: janet.radde@uwsm.org or 269-982-4029.
United Way and the Berrien Community Foundation are still encouraging people to donate to the Disaster Relief Fund, which was setup in February. To give to the Fund, visit www.uwsm.org/relief. Or text UWSMRELIEF to 51555. If you’d like to make a donation via cash or check, please send to the following address (checks can be made payable to BCF/Disaster Relief Fund):
Disaster Relief Fund
c/o Berrien Community Foundation
2900 South State Street, Suite 2E
St Joseph, MI 49085
About United Way
United Way of Southwest Michigan fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. They do this by LIVING UNITED. By forging unlikely partnerships. By finding new solutions to old problems. And by mobilizing the best resources. To join the fight, visit www.uwsm.org.
###
