Help for the Long Term

Corey and Amanda Litton were excited when Corey, 29, landed a great new job in Buras, La. The young family of seven drove into Plaquemine Parish with high hopes.

At the hurricane evacuation order, Corey said, “We left with a van load of kids, diapers, papers and pictures,” said Corey. “We were packed in there and couldn’t move. There was no room for our clothes – just the kids’ stuff.”

After the hurricane they stayed with friends in Memphis, then found a rental house with Red Cross assistance. But the landlord decided to sell the house. The family was homeless again.

That’s when Amanda sought help from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a member of Katrina Aid Today

The family’s case manager, Lauren Thibault, helped them find a small brick rambler in a quiet Memphis neighborhood, and the money to pay the deposit. Ms. Thibault also found a stove, diapers for the babies, food stamps and Medicaid cards for all the children.

Ms. Thibault also helped the family develop a long-term plan for recovery. Amanda graduated with honors in June and is a licensed medical assistant.

Case managers support and empower hurricane survivors to create and implement their own recovery plans needed to regain self-sufficiency. Katrina Aid Today plans to assist as many as 300,000 people before its grant expires in March 2008.