PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- United Way of Southeastern
Pennsylvania announced plans this week for the $222,461 pledged to their
Katrina Fund in the aftermath of last year's crisis in the Gulf Coast. The
Katrina Fund was established to offer ongoing support to the rebuilding
effort in the Gulf area and to provide desperately needed help to Katrina
evacuees who still make their home in the Southeastern Pennsylvania region.
The fund was supported by nearly 1900 employee donors at over 60 companies.
"While United Way's focus is on solving pressing problems in our
region, we recognized that in addition to the immediate efforts made to
relieve the crisis nearly one year ago, it is also important that we look
to help and not forget those still affected by this disaster," said Alba
Martinez, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of
Southeastern Pennsylvania.
The Katrina Fund was founded by a small group of United Way volunteers,
led by James Gately, former United Way Board Chair and Managing Director of
Direct Investor Services at The Vanguard Group, as a way to ensure that
United Way's helping hand would be there after the waters had receded and
the cameras were turned off. The Katrina Fund committee has been reviewing
the best way to invest these funds so that they will have the greatest
impact during this important period of transition for families and
communities affected by Hurricane Katrina.
United Way has determined that the funds raised will be invested as
follows:
* Support for the relocation and expansion of the United Community Health
Center in Opelousas, Louisiana: The Katrina Fund will support the full
cost of temporary relocation and permanent renovations of this important
facility that was destroyed during the hurricane. Some of the funding
will also be used to meet the increased demand for prescription
assistance that is expected once the new facility is completed.
Volunteers mobilized by the Philadelphia Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO,
will provide much of the labor associated with the renovation of the
facility.
* Support for the Recovery Unmet Needs Fund of United Way of South
Louisiana: The Recovery Unmet Needs Fund assists evacuees in navigating
the often complex processes of the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
working with insurance companies, helping evacuees qualify for
assistance, and providing emergency assistance to help individuals and
families re-establish their homes, their livelihoods and their
community. The Fund projects it will benefit between 80-100 families in
need of emergency support through the donations of the Katrina Fund and
the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
* Support for Emergency Needs Fund at the Tenant Union Representative
Network (TURN): TURN has been the lead agency providing housing and
other case management support to Katrina evacuees in Southeastern
Pennsylvania. Through Project Brotherly Love, TURN provides up to three
months of rental and utility cost assistance to eligible Katrina
Evacuees. In partnership with United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania,
TURN will expand these services to provide assistance to cover the costs
of basic human needs such as food and clothing, transportation to and
from work, and the purchase of essential appliances.
* Support for the Recovery Counseling Program at Project Thrive: Project
Thrive is a locally-formed organization designed to provide resources,
referral, outreach, and information to evacuees from Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita in the Philadelphia Area. Its primary goal is to provide each
evacuee with a positive experience while going through the complicated
and stressful exercise of rebuilding their lives. With funding provided
through United Way's Katrina Fund, Project Thrive will offer a Recovery
Counseling Project based on counseling approaches for supporting
individuals and families who have experienced trauma.
To maximize the reach and impact of the Katrina Fund, each program will
receive approximately $50,000 in the coming months; as the rebuilding of
the lives and communities of so many continues one year after Katrina.
To learn more about United Way programs and partner agencies, or to
donate or volunteer, visit http://www.uwsepa.org
United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Founded in 1921 by the business community, United Way of Southeastern
Pennsylvania improves people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of
donors, volunteers and communities. United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
is one of the region's largest non-profit organizations and one of
approximately 1,400 affiliated United Ways nationwide. Each United Way is
independent, separately incorporated, and governed by local volunteers.
SOURCE United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
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Related links:
http://www.uwsepa.org
CONTACT:
Emily E. Rosenberg, +1-215-665-2509, After
6pm, +1-215-906-6310
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