BRICK, NEW JERSEY — On the one-year anniversary of Super Storm Sandy, much of the physical, economic and emotional disarray still remains in Central New Jersey. Not only did the massive storm destroy scores of homes and disrupt thousands of lives, but its latent damage persists with no end in sight. In many neighborhoods, conditions are deteriorating at worst and stagnant at best. An estimated 20,000 New Jersey residents are still displaced and thousands more continue to live in severely damaged houses.
HOPE worldwide and the American Red Cross have been on the scene from day one, partnering to mobilize hundreds of volunteers to meet critical community needs throughout the past year. To continue addressing the region’s unmet community needs, HOPE worldwide, ltd. received a $703k grant from the American Red Cross. This grant will support the ongoing efforts of the HOPE worldwide Central Jersey Chapter volunteers as they serve and bring hope to the communities hardest hit.
Nicole Nobles, National Director of Disaster Services at HOPE worldwide, said, “This grant will allow HOPE worldwide to expand its partnerships with the Central Jersey Church of Christ, the Shore Points Church and other service affiliates throughout the region to provide assistance for survivors of this disaster. The funds will provide additional support for ongoing efforts such as youth resiliency programs, assistance with minor housing repairs and volunteer management.”
Children of the affected communities have undergone emotional and physical turmoil that left unchecked, will have long-lasting detrimental effects. Many are still living in cramped quarters with friends and family, while others remain in shelters or hotels. This upheaval and trauma has disrupted the children’s social and academic development. Dr. John R. Lumpkin, of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Care Group, explains that the worst mental health problems occur six to 12 months after a devastating event. HOPE worldwide youth programs will help affected children regain hope and a level of stability. Using its highly successful Saturday Academies and Summer Youth Programs model, the organization will providing these children with a safe environment where they will have access to academic assistance, as well as a place to learn skills and have fun, thereby effectively bringing a degree of normalcy back to the region’s impacted youth and the greater community.
