Received an email through the NCDD list asking for help in Texas…<\/p>\n
\nGalveston is in trouble. \u00a0 That is almost as much as I can say about the community here. \u00a0 My name is Jimmy Mai and I’m a Member with Americorps’ National Civilian Community Corps. We’re stationed in Galveston, TX doing needs assessment post- Hurricane Ike.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIn doing this, we are walking door to door and stopping people on the streets to see what they may need. From \u00a0that \u00a0 \u00a0we are \u00a0making notes \u00a0on whatever support they \u00a0require and enter it into a nation-wide database called the Coordinated Assistance Network (or CAN). \u00a0 CAN is a system that allows hundreds of Non- Profit organizations to come together and \u00a0look at these individual needs and send out help respectfully.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe problem is we- Americorps NCCC members- have no idea how this network is being managed. \u00a0 Case managers are supposed to overlook the people we are putting into this database, but that’s not supposed to be for another three weeks, \u00a0and we have no idea why there is a postponement. \u00a0 We are told that organizations like Metro United Way, Salvation Army, and The Red Cross are apart of this, but we haven’t been told any information on what they are doing to use CAN \u00a0to it’s potential.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThere is a hinder in the recovery process because of this and \u00a0FEMA response. \u00a0 Although FEMA has helped a few, the number of untouched cases and unheard people are overwhelming. \u00a0 We go to the community and listen to their stories; \u00a0unfortunately, \u00a0there’s an agreement on camp that the amount of people being helped, compared to those not, is unacceptable.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n…<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThese people need help. These people need a voice, and they need resources to help them through this. This community has many strong points; they are accustomed to bad weather, and have an amazing resilience and sense of hope. \u00a0 But Hurricane Ike is really testing them; lets help them fan the flames once again.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIf anyone knows anything that might help this area, please let me know. \u00a0 If anyone would like to call or meet for further discussion, don’t hesitate to contact me, because many corps members and I are in need of information and networking that might help these people. \u00a0 Americorps members are at an advantage in that we experience first hand what this community is going through. \u00a0 We’ve heard the stories, but now we need to get something done. \u00a0 Thanks so much for your time, and please contact me if you think you can help in the slightest bit. An alternate email address of mine is ncccgreen6pol@gmail.com<\/a><\/div>\n