Katrina Aid Today Leverages Over $100 Million for Survivors

JANUARY 31, 2008. At staff meetings at Society of St. Vincent DePaul in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, case managers open their discussions with uplifting success stories. With the help of direct assistance from the agency and resources leveraged through the East Baton Rouge Parish Long Term Recovery Committee, Katrina survivors working with the agency have found housing, acquired furniture and appliances, paid for car repairs, and more.

Iris Taylor (left) and case manager Melinda Powelle check the status of a client’s recovery plan.  Susan J. Meister/UMCOR

“Survivors are working hard and moving forward,” said Iris Taylor, Case Management Supervisor. “They’re not focusing on the negative – they are starting over. Our case managers help people become aware of help that’s available and encourage them to access those services.”

Katrina Aid Today reports that total service dollars delivered through St. Vincent DePaul and the other agencies in the nine member consortium has topped $100 million. This figure includes both direct service from member agencies, grants, and other sources.

“One of the most important services our case managers provide is advocacy for access to public and private community resources” explained Jim Cox, Executive Director. “They present their clients’ cases to groups who come to the tables with funds and resources to help survivors rebuild their homes and lives.”

St. Vincent DePaul case manager Linda Reed advocates for Katrina survivors from her office in Baton Rouge. Susan J. Meister/UMCOR

The ninth quarter report puts the total amount of services delivered at $101,318,828. The summary indicates that 67,288 households, representing 172,257 persons, have been assisted. Statistics are compiled by Katrina Aid Today Monitoring and Evaluation staff from the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN), which is the data collection tool used by all members of the consortium.

Ninth Quarter Report

>>Click here to view the full report.