providing help creating hope - Catholic Charities Annual Report

Superstorm SandyDoing Our Part toMake Sure No Neighboris Left BehindOn October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated the EastCoast, affecting millions with power outages, loss of workand transportation disruption. More than half a million weredirectly impacted with tragic loss of life, homes destroyed,households displaced, no water and electrical power.From the moment the storm hit, Catholic Charities of theArchdiocese of New York responded to provide help inStaten Island, Lower Manhattan and Westchester. Our sisterCatholic Charities agencies in Brooklyn, Queens, Nassauand Suffolk were doing the same.After the storm, Monsignor Sullivan accompaniedCardinal Dolan as he visited evacuation shelters, devastatedneighborhoods and parishes a number of times to providesupport and determine ongoing needs. From deliveringinformation and resources; to collecting and distributingfood and critical supplies; to cleaning up damaged homes,Catholic Charities responded to meet the human needsof the survivors in the hard-hit areas. Working through theparishes and with other organizations, our professionalstaff and volunteers were immediately present to assist.Rusty Staub Mobile Food Pantry delivering meals.Today, while the storm has passed, great need remains.Catholic Charities continues to provide help and createhope for individuals and families rebuilding their lives,always with compassion, always with dignity. We arecommitted to stay with the individuals and familiesimpacted for the long haul of recovery that for somewill take years.Catholic Charities’ Long-Term Commitment toHelping Sandy Survivors Rebuild Their LivesCatholic Charities will be carrying out a two-yeardisaster case management program to make availablea locally-based disaster case manager for any individual orfamily that has unmet needs related to Hurricane Sandy.Catholic Charities will be managing this program inpartnership with the NYS Division of Homeland SecurityOffice of Emergency Management and collaboratingwith almost 20 locally-based not-for-profit organizationswith demonstrated expertise to serve impactedcommunities. These services are available in multiplelanguages including but not limited to Spanish, Russian,Chinese, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Urdu and Hindi.Assistance can be obtained by calling the Catholic CharitiesSandy Helpline: 855-258-0483.Volunteers assisting with clean up in Staten Island.0www.catholiccharitiesNY.org