God is Awesome

This morning I was able to secure a large warehouse and office area for free. As soon as we have volunteers we will begin to collect items for displaced families. We will have a phone line and an internet hookup. I went to the radio station WWKI to see what I need to do to promote the project on the radio. I did not know I was talking to the news guy. He turned on a mic and a recorder and interviewed me. I have been on the news twice. Since then I have secured two cars, and the potential of a house and an apartment for free or reduced rent. I have had a call to volunteer and a call to give a living room set, dishes and silverware. I have already collected two new pillow, blankets and towels. I have also talked with my District superintendent and the North Indiana Coordinator for the United Methodist Church. I am going to take a nap and see what happens when I get up. Jeff

Relocating the Displaced

Hi, my name is Jeff Newton, I am the pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Kokomo and the Coordinator of the Kokomo Katrina Relocation Task Force. I am coordinating a task force in Kokomo, in conjunction with the Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA and the United Methodist Church in North Indiana, with the goal of relocating displaced families, that are homeless from the effects of hurricane Katrina. Presently, evacuees are arriving in Indianapolis and are being processed and cared for by the Red Cross and Salvation Army, soon they will be massed housed at the State Fair Grounds. During their stay at the Fair Grounds the families will be evaluated medically and emotionally.

In the meantime, I believe that Kokomo can ready itself to receive at least 10 displaced families. Many folks in the community have said they would host families that have no home. While host families are better than mass housing, a better, safer, and far more efficient way of meeting a displaced family's need is to provide them with a fully furnished home.

I believe that the churches and non- profit organizations aided by individuals and local business can meet the need. There has been a great deal of criticism about how slow and how unprepared government officials were to responding to the disaster. I believe that the church has a great opportunity and more importantly a responsibility to be prepared and respond quickly in meeting the needs of families that are arriving in Indiana. I want to call the Red Cross in Indianapolis on Friday and tell them that we have at least one home ready. I keep seeing the images of mass housing on TV, it is good and necessary, but it is not a home.

Today I have secured a warehouse to begin collecting household items, clothing and appliances. This warehouse will also serve as a warehouse/ distribution center and a home base for this endeavor.

The biggest need(besides prayer) we have is for churches and non- profit organizations to step up and sponsor a family. Family sponsors will supply the displaced family with a house or apartment of their own, utilities, food, transportation, guidance and support. The idea is for the families to get rooted into their own home so that that will not be uprooted again and again. It is estimated that families will be back on their feet totally in 6-8 months, and possibly return to their home of origin or they may chose to stay here. Sponsors will provide the bulk of the family's support at the beginning but as families are able to get back on their feet, they will be allowed to begin to support themselves again. I think that churches, as well as non- profit organizations can come together to make this happen.

I

Kokomo Katrina Relocation Task Force

Goals:
To be able to relocate 10-12 families to the Kokomo Area within 30 days.
To have at least 3 homes ready each week for the next four weeks
To have a warehouse full of household items, appliances, clothing, and food.
To find safe, quality house and/or apartments for evacuees.
To secure sponsors for each family.


Volunteer Needs:

Prayer Support
Warehouse/Distribution Center Coordinator
Volunteers that can receive and sort items
Volunteers to catalogue items
Volunteers that can pick up items
Dollies, boxes, etc.

Administrative Area
Administrative Assistant(several to answer the phone and to do computer work)
Webmaster (filled 9/5/05)
Graphic/ designerPrinter

Physical needs:
Computer
Desk Chair
Office supplies
Telephone (filled 8/5/05)
Phone Line and number(filled 8/5/05)
Fax machine
Internet service (filled 8/5/05)

Services Needed:
Counselors (certified)
Doctors
Dentists
Optometrist
Tutors
Special Needs assessments

Possible Sponsors:
Churches and other not for profit organizations

Sponsor Responsibilities:
Move family into home
Provide Housing/Utilities
Provide food
Provide transportation
Help secure government aid
Work with families to get children in School
To regain Identification (drivers license etc.)
Help family become acclimated to new community
Help family secure reliable car, insurance, etc.
Help secure a job

Possible monthly sponsorship financial need:

Rent $ 400-600
Utilities: Heating: 300-400
Electric: 100-200
Water: 100
Sewage: 50
Food: 400-600
Stipend 400-600

Per Month 1700-2650

6-8 Month Commitment: 13,600-21,000

The above represents an estimated 8 month commitment for total financial needs, if families receive no income at all from other sources, however, as families receive government aid, FEMA checks, a job etc. They will gradually become self supporting.


Other responsibilities for sponsors would be to report monthly to the Kokomo Katrina Relocation Task Force to see how families are progressing and how the Task Force might be be helpful to the family.

We are looking for churches and other not- for- profit organizations to be sponsors with individuals and business partnering with the non- profits. Donors would be directed to sponsors to help sponsors with financial support. The Kokomo Katrina Relocation Task Force is only a few hours old. There is no time to set up a not for profit status for our task force. However, money given to local non profit sponsors would be tax deductible etc.

Contact Information: Jeff Newton 765-461-9618 email: KokomoKatrinaRelocation@gmail.com