FEMA Helping Hands Workshop Jan. 23 in Gulfport
Release Date: January 16, 2008
Release Number: 1604-620
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BILOXI, Miss. -- Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VAL) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct a Helping Hands Workshop from 6 to 9 p.m., Jan. 23 at the Isaiah Fredericks Community Center, 3312 Martin Luther King Blvd. in Gulfport.
VAL has hosted 11 Helping Hands Workshops across the lower six counties, targeting families in FEMA temporary housing. Organizers estimate more than 600 applicants have attended the events.
"We bring a panel together to obtain every resource imaginable to help temporary housing occupants," said Laura Mason, FEMA VAL and workshop organizer. "We're trying to expedite the process of getting an applicant out of a unit and into a more permanent living situation. Hopefully we can help applicants not to feel discouraged."
VAL and FEMA Individual Assistance teams will distribute fliers to approximately 500 occupants of commercial and FEMA group parks throughout Harrison County with more details about the workshop.
For more information about the Helping Hands workshop, please call FEMA VAL at 1-228-594-2994 or 1-228-594-3198.
The following organizations are scheduled to participate:
- American Red Cross
- Consumer Credit Counseling Services
- FEMA Individual Assistance and VAL
- Gulf Coast Community Action Agency
- Harrison County Long Term Recovery Committee
- Lutheran Episcopal Services Management
- Mississippi Center for Justice www.mscenterforjustice.org/begin.html
- Mississippi Alternative Housing Program www.mscottage.org
- Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Individual Assistance www.msema.org
- Mississippi Faith-Based Coalition
- Mississippi Home Corporation www.mshomecorp.com/firstpage.htm
- Mississippi Protection and Advocacy www.mspas.com/mission.htm, 1-228-539-1793, 1-601-278-7288
- Mississippi Regional Housing Authority
- Operation Hope
- USDA Rural Development www.rurdev.usda.gov/ms/
- WIN Job Center www.mdes.ms.gov/wps/portal
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Thursday, 17-Jan-2008 14:05:30