Current VISTA Activities
Luke Blount at Texas Episcopal Disaster Relief and Development
Getting it Done
By Luke Blount
February 27, 2010
Yesterday, our volunteer group held a house blessing for the Cummings house. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings are currently in the hospital, but 3 of their children came to the house to participate... Sometimes we need moments like that to put this work into perspective. Volunteers from around the country came together to help strangers, and it has made such an incredible difference in everyone's life.
To read the entire article click here
Pat Moore at Highland Lakes/Hill Country VOAD
H1N1 Flu Clinic
February 23, 2010
This picture was taken at an appreciation ceremony the County Judge ( Donna Klaeger) held for the VOAD volunteers who helped out at their pandemic planning H1N1 flu clinic in January in Burnet and Marble Falls. As a result of our help on this project, the Burnet County EMC and Judge are involving us in several community help projects as well as a new one from Homeland Security regarding reverse 911 coming up for 'special needs' population in Burnet County.
Selena Xie at Texas Impact
Getting Semi-Serious About Protecting Texas's Coast
By Selena Xie
January 27, 2010
Last year, five counties including (Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson and Orange counties) signed on to a plan that would create the Gulf Coast Community Protection and Discovery District. While Harris County rejected the proposal on multiple occasions, finally on Tuesday, Harris County passed their own proposal to join. The plan passed by Harris County was a watered down version of the original proposal. It stripped the district of any binding power and limited the scope of a study which will look at various options like the Ike Dike. The Ike Dyke is a plan that would create "a 15-mile seawall along Galveston Islands and massive floodgates at the entry to Galveston Bay." The Ike Dike, not only protects private and public property, but also gives the business community assurance that the Ship Channel will be protected.
To read the entire article click here.
Carolyn Gibbs at Texas Episcopal Disaster Relief and Development
Texas Episcopalians Prepare for Emergencies
By Carolyn Gibbs
November 11, 2009
With its vast and diverse landscape, the state of Texas is at significant risk for both man-made and natural tragedies. No community is safe; every city, town, and home is susceptible to damage caused by devastating events beyond human control. However, knowing the risk, parishes have the opportunity and obligation to mitigate those damages by preparing for the unthinkable.
On November 10, Tropical Storm Ida wound her way through the Gulf of Mexico to crash into the coast of Alabama. Downgraded from hurricane status, the late-brewing storm brought only minor damage to the U.S. coastline, though it had wreaked havoc throughout Central America in the days prior. The storm came as a surprise, springing up after most residents of the Gulf Coast had breathed a sigh of relief for an uneventful storm season.
To read the entire article click here.
Gail Torosian at Houston Food Bank
As part of Gail Torosian’s disaster preparedness work for the Houston Food Bank she has developed the following disaster workshops:
Disaster Preparation Workshops
Writing A Disaster Plan
This workshop is designed to assist the Food Pantry/Meal-site develop a working Disaster Plan.
Networking/Partnerships
This workshop brings Agency representatives from common regions served by the Houston Food Bank together and learn how the resources each contributes to the community may provide opportunities to serve together.
Volunteers
This workshop takes a look at the changing environment and how it has affected volunteers and their commitments to service, and how Disaster training adds another dimension to the process.
Workshops are currently being scheduled. If you would be interested in participating in these workshops please contact:
Gail Torosian, (281) 830-3971 gtorosian@houstonfoodbank.org
Donna Talmage-Gibson at Faith Communities for Disaster Recovery
The client featured in the article and picture below is one of FCDR’s clients. They have been working very hard with the Brownsville group and were happy when some of their clients finally received assistance.
Rebuilding Lives: Families to split $50,000 grant to repair Hurricane Dolly damage
August 19, 2009 9:00 AM
By Diana Eva Maldonodo, Brownsville Herald
It has been more than a year that Hurricane Dolly swept across South Texas leaving more than a billion dollars in damages in her path.
In that time, many families had to live with blue tarps on their roofs, mold on walls and other damage because they’ve been unable to afford costly repairs to the damaged homes.
On Tuesday, the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation presented the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville with a $50,000 grant to be used to help some of those families.
To read the entire article click here.