Community Partners Awarded for Assistance to Sandy Survivors

COURT HOUSE — A cross-section of community members ranging from tutors in an afterschool program to elected officials and church leaders was honored recently for their cooperation and partnership with a local agency that contributed to the recovery efforts of county residents following Hurricane Sandy.
The Mental Health Association in Atlantic County and its grant-funded New Jersey Hope and Healing program hosted the Community Appreciation Celebration Feb. 5 at the John D Young Memorial Lions Center in Galloway.
Businesses, organizations, individuals and government entities were recognized for a variety of contributions – donating food, permitting counselors to set up table and meet one on one with residents, placing literature about programs in public areas, and providing space to hold informational meetings and support groups throughout Cape May and Atlantic Counties.
“We felt it was so important to thank and recognize all our partners who supported our work,” said Jaime Angelini, New Jersey Hope and Healing Regional Coordinator and Director of Program Services for the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County in an interview following the awards. “Having them welcome us and allow us space to meet with survivors was critical. We wanted to take time to let them know, ‘You weren’t just doing your job. You went above and beyond.’ Their cooperation and willingness to let us in helped us make connections with survivors and ensure our services were visible and accessible.”
Through New Jersey Hope and Healing, the agency trained and hired Crisis Counselors to assist, refer, connect and support storm survivors in Cape May and Atlantic Counties.
One of the organizations honored was the Homework Institute based in Whitesboro. Counselors worked with children ages 5 to 11 through Small Sandy Wave Riders.
“Some of the children who attend our Homework Club were directly affected by Sandy, others had family members, friends and even classmates who were affected,” said Rosie Jefferson, Homework Club Aide. “The activities had the children interacting and helped show them ways to express the fear and anxiety associated with a natural disaster — to let them know what they were feeling was okay,” said Jefferson who remembered the younger children especially enjoyed learning to express feeling in colors.
The Cape May County Long Term Recovery Group also was another important community partner that received an award.
“I really appreciate the recognition from this esteemed group and share it with the entire Long Term Recovery Group,” said Pat Devaney who is also Director of the Department of Human Services in Cape May County.
Emeritus at Cape May was acknowledged and appreciated for permitting meeting space with Crisis Counselors.
“The experience resulted in unexpected rewards as many residents benefited from the dedication and commitment of the counselors. Their patience and empathy helped our residents and the community at large,” said Stacey Mason, Life Enrichment Director, Emeritus.
Others Cape May County honorees included Avalon Coffee and Bagel; North Wildwood Community Center; Sea Isle City Public Information Officer; St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ocean City; The Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro; The Homework Institute; Ocean City Free Public Library; Southern Shore American Red Cross.
In addition to recognizing community partners, the Mental Health Association acknowledged the hard work and dedication of its Crisis Counselors who worked on New Jersey Hope and Healing.
“Heroes didn’t leap tall building or stop bullets with an outstretched hand; they didn’t wear boots and capes,” said Mental Health Association in Atlantic County’s Executive Director Vicki Philips to the 70 plus guests in attendance. “They bled, they bruised, and their superpowers were as simple as listening, or loving. Heroes were ordinary people.”
Julia Gorecke of Avalon worked as Crisis Counselor on the New Jersey Hope and Healing Team Cape May County. During the project, she said, there have been countless conversations with survivors, but a 78 year who was recently widowed, stands out in her mind. She’d lost her husband shortly before parts of the home that they shared for over 53 years suffered considerable damage. After the storm, she was displaced from her home longer than expected – heating system and appliances were replaced, walls and floors rebuilt.
“She stated she was so overwhelmed with plumbers starting a job and not returning, and receiving ordinance violation notices due to damaged home contents waiting to be removed from her that she couldn’t make a simple decision as to what vegetable to have with dinner,” recalled Gorecke.
Gorecke said she assisted and supported the widow in her home as she packed up clothing that belonged to her late husband and went through boxes of personal belongings that could be salvaged.
“Out of her misfortune I was able to witness her grace, sorrow and perseverance,” said Gorecke. “I’ve been enlightened, deeply touched and privileged.”
The team of Crisis Counselors working in Cape numbered 5; another 14 were in Atlantic County.
According to studies conducted by FEMA, the estimated time frame for complete recovery of a natural disaster such as Hurricane Sandy, is 5 years, recalled Angelini. The New Jersey Hope and Healing project was a pilot project, based on a neighbor helping neighbor model, that the government hopes to implement all over the country in future disasters.
“Our agency is so, so proud to have been given this opportunity and offered the grant to do this work,” said Angelini. “We also feel humbled at being able to assist individuals who had been displaced, suffered property damage and financial hardships, mold – a wide, wide range of stresses. Hurricane Sandy was one of largest natural disasters in New Jersey’s history.”
Although the New Jersey Hope and Healing program ended Feb. 14, there are still resources available to those residents still recovering from Hurricane Sandy.
These are the resources still available to those who trying to rebuild, recover or connect to support.
American Red Cross – Southern Shore: for Sandy Recovery Services 646-8330
Community Health Law Project: for legal advice 856-858-9500
2-1-1 Call this free number to register and access a range of services
The Cape May County Long Term Recovery Group Coordinate management of the long-term recovery to residents and provide additional long-term assistance to individuals affected by the disaster who do not have adequate personal resources for basic needs as a result of the disaster. The group’s mission is to address the unmet needs of those without the resources to rebuild their homes and their lives, especially the frail elderly, children, the handicapped and the economically disadvantaged/economically impacted. ltrgcapemay@gmail.com or visit their Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cape-May-County-Long-Term-Recovery-Group-LTRG/113949075462900