Expanded Territory

Today I met with City leaders(over 20 community leaders) as we plan together for how to handle displaced families. I was able to present the plan below and it was embraced by the group.

Plan Expansion

We are beginning to see displaced families arriving in Howard County to find refuge with family members. The Kokomo Katrina Relocation Plan Task Force, as of September 13, 2005, has expanded its plan to offer aid to displaced families who are presently safe with family members but will soon need a home to call their own. The expansion plan will address the needs of these families.

The expansion plan will be working with local government and the Kokomo Housing Authority to provide housing for these displaced families. The Kokomo Chapter of the Katrina Relocation Plan will work with the city to provide other physical and emotional needs. The KRP (Katrina Relocation Plan Task Force) will provide the following physical items:

• All household needs, furniture, including a sofa and chair, beds and mattresses, Kitchen or dining table with chairs, dishes, glasses, silverware, pots and pans, we will also provide stove and refrigerator if needed.
• All clothing needs including, a winter coat for each person in the family
• We will provide families with infants, cribs, diapers, clothing, high chairs and car seats.
• We will provide towels, sheets, pillowcases, and blankets
• Families will be able to select toys and household decorations.
• Families will receive bathroom items such as toothpaste, soap etc.
• Families will receive caned food, and cleaning supplies if needed.

With the aid of local churches, non- profit organizations and/or trained individuals, the KRP will provide each displaced family, if they desire, a "Community Contact" who would provide the following :

• Help family move into home
• Make arrangements for transportation
• Help secure government aid
• Work with families to get children in School
• Help regain Identification (drivers license etc.)
• Help family become acclimated to new community
• Help family secure reliable car, insurance, etc.
• Help secure a job
• Work with families that have specific needs such as tutoring, childcare etc.

  Presently, the KRP is securing names of Doctors, Dentists, Optometrist and Certified Counselors who will provide services to displaced families without concern of fees.

  All displaced families must register with the local chapter of the Red Cross to receive the above stated services.

I was asked how many families we could supply with "Community Contacts", my response, "all of them". I was asked how, and my response was we have 1000's of church folk in town. I explained that the sleeping giant would awake and meet the need. I also challenged us as the faith community and the government to partner to help the families affected.

It has been a good day. Jeff