Agencies set up relief programs for Laura aid

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans has set up an online page detailing relief availability for those in Lake Charles and Alexandria who were affected by Hurricane Laura.

Hurricane Laura came ashore near Cameron around 2 a.m. on Aug. 27, with winds of about 150 miles per hour, making it a Category 4 storm and the strongest to hit the state since the mid-19th century.

Temple Sinai in Lake Charles was heavily damaged in Hurricane Laura, and many members had severe damage to their homes. There was also widespread damage in Alexandria, with Gemiluth Chassodim having numerous leaks and windows blown out.

Applications are being accepted for the Jewish Louisiana Hurricane Laura Relief Fund, which will provide need-based grants to eligible households. Jewish households around Lake Charles may also be eligible for a stipend.

The assistance is available as grants to reimburse residents for paid expenses.

To be eligible, one must have been a resident of the affected areas on August 27, have been affected by hurricane Laura, be a member of a Jewish household, complete an application with documentation of expenses, and participate in an intake call with a JFS case manager.

The one time grants are for uninsured repairs, replacing destroyed furniture, providing food and assistance for temporary housing. There is no automatic entitlement to the aid, and a committee will review each application.

The Lake Charles stipend of up to $750 is available for every adult in a Jewish household in the greater Lake Charles area. Applications are due by October 30.

The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans has raised over $200,000 so far for Hurricane Laura relief, with JFS serving as fund administrator. The New Orleans, Baton Rouge and North Louisiana Federations are continuing the fundraising effort.

JCRS Launches Disaster Aid Program

With the help of a matching gift through the end of the year, the New Orleans-based Jewish Children’s Regional Service is establishing the Disaster Relief Emergency Aid Matching Program to assist families experiencing extreme financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, flooding and other crises.

Michael Goldman of New Orleans, who is treasurer of JCRS and as a longtime member of Temple Sinai in Lake Charles, said “this relief program is vitally important as so many families have been impacted by the economic downturn caused by the pandemic and in the wake of recent extreme weather events. I know many Jewish families that can use some financial relief. Who better than JCRS to step in and bridge the gap?”

In addition to funding camp scholarships for Jewish youth in its seven-state region and providing college aid, the agency works with families that have ongoing special needs.

Lorne Abony of Austin, Tex., has agreed to match total donations made to the DREAM Program through the end of the year, up to $36,000.

With the matching gift challenge, JCRS hopes to raise a minimum of $100,000 to provide aid and relief to Jewish children and families experiencing hardship during periods of extreme economic challenges, unemployment, natural disasters, and social isolation.

Disaster Relief funds will be approved for families with minor children who demonstrate need from within the region. They will be given as direct monetary grants, reimbursement for extraordinary expenses in relation to the crisis, or in the form of gift cards to retailers such as Wal-Mart. Financial assistance within this program will be time-limited and support to families may be one-time or carried out over a period of months.

To make a qualifying matching gift or for more information about the program, contact Mark Rubin or Ned Goldberg at the JCRS office. They can be reached at (800) 729-5277.

Nechama in Lake Charles

Nechama Jewish Response to Disaster mobilized to Lake Charles on Sept. 1, assessing needs and starting to work on relief efforts. Through the end of September, the agency had assisted 23 Lake Charles families with gutting their homes, along with debris and tree removal. They have logged over 800 volunteer hours, with 20 additional homes assessed and requesting assistance.

The team was initially housed at First Presbyterian Church of Lafayette. Missions on Wheels recently provided two RVs to house the Nechama teams. They had to pause work when Hurricane Sally and Tropical Storm Beta threatened the area.

Nechama volunteer Sabine Taras Thompson said “the pandemic has reshaped the ability of disaster relief organizations have to responsibly take on large numbers of volunteers, and with the lack of media attention this disaster has gotten, many homeowners are facing longer wait times to receive help.”

Nadav Herman and Jacob Fijman from the Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica went to Lake Charles to assist. Volunteers “learn real-life skills in the field and do some fantastic work AND regain your faith in humanity,” Herman said. “The days can be dark in the world right now – Nechama is the light in the world.”

According to Nechama, “there is a need for us to be in the Lake Charles area for at least a couple of months,” but how long they are able to stay depends on donations they receive.

The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans will be coordinating volunteers with Nechama as needed.

The Federation is also coordinating local volunteerism, working with organizations like NOLA Ready Volunteer Corps and Second Harvest Food Bank that help evacuees who are now in New Orleans.