Staten Island church volunteers to assess needs in Sandy-damaged neighborhoods

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- More than 200 church volunteers organized by the Staten Island Interfaith Disaster Response Network will hit the streets this Saturday to conduct house-to-house surveys in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy.

In addition to assisting with immediate needs, Island non-profits are positioning themselves to take over most of the long-term relief efforts as FEMA, the city and other government agencies play lesser roles during the estimated seven to 10 years that it will take for many Sandy victims to rebuild their homes and lives.

The survey of an estimated 700 to 1,000 people is intended to help the non-profits obtain government and other funds and services to help those in need.

The volunteers -- including those who speak Spanish and Russian -- will assess the needs of people in South Beach, Midland Beach, New Dorp Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, Oakwood Beach, Fox Beach, Great Kills, Tottenville and selected areas of Port Richmond, St. George and Mariners Harbor. The Church of Christ will coordinate the volunteers.

The results of the confidential surveys will be shared with Island, city, state and federal officials in the hopes of impacting potential government resource allocations to the Island, said the Rev. Terry Troia, executive director of Project Hospitality.

"This is a snapshot three months after the hurricane," Rev. Troia said of the surveys.

The network hopes that the surveys will shed light on key issues such as how many houses and rental units have been lost, how many people are still living in their houses, how many people are waiting for government assistance and who is elderly, disabled or otherwise at risk.

The surveys will include questions about crucial concerns such as housing issues, financial assistance and needs, chronic medical conditions, mental health concerns, medical insurance, legal problems, family composition, demographics and special needs.

The survey was developed over the last month by those working in the trenches -- volunteers from Sandy-affected families, houses of worship and local disaster organizations.

The volunteers, who will carry identification, will conduct the surveys in teams from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting from their staging area at 1128 Olympia Blvd. The surveyors will speak to residents on their doorsteps and will not enter any homes.

Residents who are unable to complete the survey on Saturday may call 718-448-1544, ext.166, to be scheduled for a phone survey. The group also is looking into other methods of obtaining survey information from Staten Island Sandy victims who aren't in their homes on Saturday.

The network is a coalition of over 50 houses of worship and disaster relief organizations and centers, that will next meet on Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Staten Island in New Brighton.
?? ?

Source: http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/01/staten_island_church_volunteer.html

lisa lampanelli bronx zoo memphis grizzlies celebrity apprentice grizzlies bronx zoo crash april 30