Tornado recovery center to open on March 15
Date: 3/13/2012
March 14, 2012By Debbie Gardner
debbieg@thereminder.comWEST SPRINGFIELD — A local group that has been working to help victims of the June 1, 2011 tornado that ripped though Western Massachusetts rebuild and repair their homes and businesses finally has a permanent home of its own.
On March 15 from 4 to 7 p.m., the Raising Hope Together Long Term Recovery Group (RHT) will host the official grand opening of its Tornado Recovery Walk-in Center at 802 Main St., in the former United Methodist Church.
"During that time we will have some light refreshments and have information from various service organizations, from the Red Cross to Springfield Partners [for Community Action] to Rebuild Western Massachusetts related to disaster [repairs] and disaster preparedness," Gareth Flanary, Raising Hope together board chairman told Reminder Publications. At 6 p.m., the office will host its official grand opening ceremony. Flanary said West Springfield Mayor Gregory Neffinger has agreed to speak, and the group has invited a slate of local and state dignitaries, including Mayor Richard Cohen of Agawam, Mayor Daniel Knapik of Westfield, State Sen. James Welch and State. Rep. Michael Finn to attend, along with representatives from many of the agencies that have assisted residents with tornado recovery needs.
Flanary said the organization also plans to recognize several groups that have contributed to RHT's work during the ceremony, including the West Springfield/Agawam Kiwanis Club, which he said "provided seed money for our office and walk in center," and Sullivan Paper company, which provided warehouse space for disaster recover supplies that the West Springfield United Church of Christ received following the tornado.
Flanary previously indicated the Kiwanis had provided RTH with a $3,100 grant the group could use "in any way." That money was invested in the startup of the walk-in center.
The Center, Flanary said, would be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., during which time individuals seeking help would be able to meet with one of the group's three case managers — Rebecca Willoughby, Leah Kabue and Isabel Tellot. Those positions, as well as that of RHT's administrative assistant Pam Coleman and Project Manager Richard Peck, he said, were funded through a National Emergency Grant from the U. S. Department of Labor.
"People will be able to come in and talk with our case management personnel about their tornado disaster situation," Flanary said. "Our case managers will be in a position to refer clients to local organizations such as HAP (Homeowners Assistance Program), or Rebuild Western Massachusetts or Springfield Partners #&8230; who are helping people with tornado recovery."
He said the Center would also be able to assist with some victim's unmet needs — things not covered by insurance or other programs — through a $7,500 grant from the United Way, as well as money from a tornado fund initiated by the town of West Springfield.
He said RHT recently helped a tornado victim on Union Street with just such an unmet need.
"They had a garage that was partially destroyed by the tornado," Flanary said. "We helped them to demolish it."
"We hope this opening event and our new location will encourage people to contact Raising Hope Together. Recovery starts soon after a disaster and can last for an extended time afterwards. Activity is increasing, on a daily basis and funds are available to help with tornado recovery," he added.
In addition to referrals and assistance with unmet needs, Flanary said RHT would be receiving tornado recovery assistance from several volunteer groups in the coming months. A group Ohio Valley University in Parkersburg, W. Va., which visited the week of March 5, assisted RTH with preparations for the Center's grand opening. A group from the National Civilian Community Corps, a division of AmeriCorps, is slated to assist RHT March 10 to 25, a "Green Shirts" needs assessment team from the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee disaster response services will be in town March 16 to 27, another volunteer group, "Stronger than a Tornado," is slated to assist RHT April 27 to 29, and a second AmeriCorps group is also expected in late April.
"We will be very busy from now until June," Flanary noted.
