Catholic Charities Disaster Response programs still strong for Jersey
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
With the third anniversary of Superstorm Sandy just weeks away, those still beset with the difficulties of rebuilding and recovering from the event can take heart from the fact that Catholic Charities Disaster Response Programs in the Trenton Diocese continue to offer support in helping them recover.
Key among several new programs is a series of R.E.B.U.I.L.D. workshops geared toward helping homeowners wade deal with contractors, code officials, banks, insurance companies and the like. The aim is to give the homeowners the background and educational tools they will need to carry on if their rebuilding process outlasts support services.
Maria Nikolatos, director of the Disaster Response Program which operates out of the Visitation Relief Center, Brick, said that the first three workshops in August were well attended and the feedback from them was good.
The reaction of one man who attended was typical, Nikolatos said. “He told us that he would be back again to attend another workshop.” The man told Nikolatos and Arnold Valentin, Jr., the assistant program director, that he found the information very worthwhile.
“He said hearing it again would reinforce what he learned,” Nikolatos said.
“The workshops are empowering. They are very helpful for people going through this process.”
Valentin said feedback sheets handed from between 20 and 25 people at each of three sessions, indicated they came away with insight and hope.
A workshop has been scheduled for Sept. 23, they said, adding that interested persons can call 800-652-2080, ext. 4260 for Valentin or office manager Noelle Davis for more information.
The workshops are just outgrowth of a $599,656 grant Catholic Charities Disaster Response Program received from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Also included in the grant are funds that will restore five disaster case management positions that would have been lost as a result of the downsizing/conclusion of the FEMA contract with the program.
The grant will also enable the program to establish a rebuilding specialist unit consisting of a construction cost analyst and two disaster rebuilding specialists – one of which will be funded from other sources – to handle the most complex rebuilding cases.
A mental health clinician will be added to the Disaster Response program who can treat those discouraged and exhibiting mental health symptoms related to stress.
Finally, an evidence-based resiliency curriculum entitled Building Resiliency in a Changing World will be implemented to help many people who have been traumatized by the storm and its aftermath deal with future traumatic events.
For more information on resiliency training and related workshops, call Theresa McGrath, resiliency coordinator at 800-652-2020 or email [email protected].
[[In-content Ad]]Related Stories
Sunday, December 14, 2025
E-Editions
Events
With the third anniversary of Superstorm Sandy just weeks away, those still beset with the difficulties of rebuilding and recovering from the event can take heart from the fact that Catholic Charities Disaster Response Programs in the Trenton Diocese continue to offer support in helping them recover.
Key among several new programs is a series of R.E.B.U.I.L.D. workshops geared toward helping homeowners wade deal with contractors, code officials, banks, insurance companies and the like. The aim is to give the homeowners the background and educational tools they will need to carry on if their rebuilding process outlasts support services.
Maria Nikolatos, director of the Disaster Response Program which operates out of the Visitation Relief Center, Brick, said that the first three workshops in August were well attended and the feedback from them was good.
The reaction of one man who attended was typical, Nikolatos said. “He told us that he would be back again to attend another workshop.” The man told Nikolatos and Arnold Valentin, Jr., the assistant program director, that he found the information very worthwhile.
“He said hearing it again would reinforce what he learned,” Nikolatos said.
“The workshops are empowering. They are very helpful for people going through this process.”
Valentin said feedback sheets handed from between 20 and 25 people at each of three sessions, indicated they came away with insight and hope.
A workshop has been scheduled for Sept. 23, they said, adding that interested persons can call 800-652-2080, ext. 4260 for Valentin or office manager Noelle Davis for more information.
The workshops are just outgrowth of a $599,656 grant Catholic Charities Disaster Response Program received from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Also included in the grant are funds that will restore five disaster case management positions that would have been lost as a result of the downsizing/conclusion of the FEMA contract with the program.
The grant will also enable the program to establish a rebuilding specialist unit consisting of a construction cost analyst and two disaster rebuilding specialists – one of which will be funded from other sources – to handle the most complex rebuilding cases.
A mental health clinician will be added to the Disaster Response program who can treat those discouraged and exhibiting mental health symptoms related to stress.
Finally, an evidence-based resiliency curriculum entitled Building Resiliency in a Changing World will be implemented to help many people who have been traumatized by the storm and its aftermath deal with future traumatic events.
For more information on resiliency training and related workshops, call Theresa McGrath, resiliency coordinator at 800-652-2020 or email [email protected].
[[In-content Ad]]