Proposal for C.B. Murphy Community Revitalization Center (CRC)

Presented by: Bob Putnam, Director, CAN-DO Gulf Coast Operations
www.CAN-DO.org

Executive Summary

While volunteers and residents continue the arduous task of rebuilding, Pearlington's most important infrastructure lays in ruins a major portion of its community. Despite any arrivals of various forms of aid, residents struggle to meet their most basic needs. Ten months after the storm and the demand for adequate drinking water, ice and non perishable foods are still not being met. A large number of citizens are being forced to make do with limited resources.

As the volunteer camps were being erected while simultaneously aiding in the distribution of immediate needs, many animal amenities were overlooked. Adequate protection from the elements, proper showering and toilet facilities, and hygienic cooking and eating facilities were all but forgotten. Not being able to foresee how long these temporary camps are going to have to be operational is a major shortcoming, which every camp has to endear to this day.

Recent Federal data indicates that approximately 3500 homes were destroyed in Hancock County. Take into account the number of rental properties in the area and this number grows twofold. The average payout by FEMA is $5200 for homes that were directly damaged by hurricane Katrina. Hancock County has 27,061 housing units registered for assistance through FEMA, of these 4946 received funds over the $5200 average. Only 926 homeowners in Hancock County received $26,200; the maximum amount that FEMA is required to pay out to individual title holders who lost their homes due to the storm.

In the unincorporated area commonly known as Pearlington, the pre-storm population, estimated by the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau, was 1684. Of these residents, 202 or 9% were elderly and of these 111 legally disabled. 177 residents collected social security and the mean social security income was $11,197. 325 residents fell below the national poverty income threshold.

While local, state and federal authorities move toward the much needed rebuilding focus, we still have a large portion of the population still in want of basic services. To this end, we have arrived at a solution to these problems and more.

Plan Objective

CAN-DO's goal is to bring a sense of community back to all the residents of Hancock County by providing the infrastructure of organized centralized emergency relief for those who are in need, without taxing the already overburdened resources of local officials. Many will agree that while there are recognizable needs (food and permanent shelter, for instance) this would eventually serve a greater overall purpose. Bringing harmony and contentment both in the individual resident and instilling the belief that as a unified community, their voice is strong and a healthy evolution process will proceed where before it may not have been.

Working in cooperation and coordination with local officials, State and federal governments, along with private interests (refer to Appendix A) can create and manage a system of centralized relief programs that will eventually support the transition to a longer term recovery effort. This, in conjunction with the renewal efforts, will result in making the community, as a whole, feel much safer, stronger and in control of the future.

Proposed Plan Description Overview

The C.B. Murphy Centralized Revitalization Center (CRC) will guide residents still in need of basic services through the maze of relief aid available to them in the recovery process. Services provided in the renovated space made available at the C.B. Murphy School will help those in need feel they are part of the counties revitalization efforts and encourager them to work towards supporting it for years to come.

Facilities and services available through the various providers will take care of those currently in need of short term benefits and at the same time help transition them from relief programs to longer-term benefits available to all local residents. Longer term benefits include, education benefits, job placement programs, counseling, information or assistance with childcare, social programs for the elderly and feeding programs for the community at large.

Society needs will vary as the county progresses from rebuilding to full-on renewal. Programs will be initiated, and relief will be offered based on the society's overall need and the servicing of the community at large. Some short –term programs will extend if a quantifiable need continues to exist, while some longer term aid will be reduced, as it proves unnecessary.

How It Works

In the CRC, short term programs and long term benefits are set up and run under one roof. Coordinating with each of the programs, so, to provide a system of cooperation, and communication. Had we started the facility sooner, the office of Volunteer Management would have defined which short term and emergency aid would have occupied the space. Now that we have passed 10 months since the storm hit, appropriate long term benefits will be available in the center.

Included in the CRC plans is a resource center providing servicing the current quantifiable needs in the area. Plans include a non emergency healthcare clinic, childcare services, personal care facilities, home repair services, supplies warehousing, volunteer housing and emergency sheltering in cases of inclement weather.

A local office of Volunteer Management has been in existence since early January. Operating out of the C.B. Murphy gymnasium, coordinating volunteer relief groups while prioritizing aid to serve those residents most in need. Ensuring that resources are properly allocated, that volunteer groups are being utilized to the best of their ability and that resident's are being care for in a timely manner.

Addressing Short Term Needs

Aside from the obvious benefits providing both short term and long term benefits to the residents of Hancock County the plan ensures that local officials are not deemed as "forgotten" the less fortunate part of Hancock County. Furthermore, it ensures that emergency services are still offered as appropriate, but eventually transition out, once no longer justified.

For those still requiring the services, water, food, temporary shelter, laundry facilities, and a locker room/shower trailer will continuously be available. A meeting area will be designated to encourage, different agencies and volunteer organizations, work together, thus diminishing the chance of duplication of efforts and fraud.

Addressing Longer Term Needs

Now that we have passed the initial period of meeting the immediate needs of most the victims, it is imperative that a different focus takes precedence. Once victims are registered for aid and are receiving it, the CRC plans to actively change focus to promote the area's rebuilding initiative. Employment assistance programs, including job retraining, child care, education assistance, and other services can now be housed in areas where emergency assistance organizations were once needed.

Specific Aid Proposal

A suitable location has been found at the C.B.Murphy School to house both short term and long term programs including but not limited to the following:

Health Clinic

Many residents have yet to connect with their primary physicians, leaving the local hospital overburdened. Short and long term volunteers warrant free medical care for non emergency first aid and minor illnesses. Local free clinics were originally set up with volunteer doctors coming in from all areas to donate their skills and time to take care of patients. However, the need to transfer these clinics, to be run by local physicians, and to disseminate information, so local doctors and patients can reconnect. This serves both the need caring for the patient as well as rebuilding the doctors business.

Day Care

While the displaced workers attempt to obtain new employment (or new skill training), there is a greater need for child care and After School programs. As with the health care plan, this facility will provide interim care and referrals, helping parents to locate local child care providers.

Hot Meals

Residents and volunteers are in need of hot, nutritional meals. While this is proposed for a short term program, the kitchen and cafeteria can not only prepare and serve 1000 daily meals, but may also be used for skill training for those interested in the culinary profession.

Locker Room Facilities/Shower Trailer

The sad fact is there is still a need for private bathing facilities for both residents and volunteers. Residents will further be encouraged to register for long term benefits and programs being offered.

Laundry facility

Free washing and drying facility is available to residents and volunteers.

Resource Center

A manned computer lab will assist those needing to register for Aid programs on line. High Speed Web access will allow residents to visit sites of many programs available such as FEMA, MEMA, Salvation Army, Red Cross, HUD and others.

Home Repair/Clean Up

Those residents in need of assistance with property repair and cleaning will find a wealth of information and volunteer help at the C.B. Murphy CRC.

Warehousing

A storage facility has already been erected to warehouse building materials located adjacent to the C.B.Murphy school on the football field.

Volunteer Management

Volunteer groups will be asked to pre-register prior to arriving. According to volunteer skills, they will be matched up to best assist those in need. It will function as a liaison between residents and volunteer groups.

Conclusion