April 15, 2018
One of the most selfless acts an individual can perform is to give their most valuable assets, time and talent, to others to help them.
It is this desire to make a difference, having compassion and empathy for others that creates the foundation of volunteerism.
This devotion to help others in need has been shown since September in Philadelphia.
Hurricane Maria devastated the islands of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgins Islands, forcing United States citizens to leave their homes and travel to the mainland to recover from the storm.
The impact of the hurricane was felt here in Philadelphia, over 1,500 miles away from where the storm made landfall.
Residents of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgins Islands came to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. Some sought support from family and friends, others needed aid from strangers.
Evacuees were met by an array of government agencies, non-profits, volunteer groups, and faith-based organizations. The Disaster Assistance Services Center (DASC) was opened to serve evacuees’ initial needs. Over 2,000 people, making up 897 families, came to the assistance center in the fall of 2017 which helped them in their initial step towards disaster recovery.
To provide ongoing support to disaster survivors, the Greater Philadelphia Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC) was formed.
The Long Term Recovery Committee is a collection of community groups, volunteer organizations, faith-based services, and government agencies. It was formed to provide a single contact for Hurricane Maria evacuees in Philadelphia to receive continued aid to beyond initial FEMA assistance.
Help is available for individuals affected by the hurricane. Visit Casa del Carmen in-person. Hours are Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Casa del Carmen is located at 4400 N Reese Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140. Their phone number is 215-329-5660. People can also call Asociacion de Puertorriquenos en Marcha at 267-296-7200.
The LTRC is an expansion of the resources provided at the DASC and the best way for disaster survivors to get connected to assistance moving forward. Some of the services the LTRC provides includes FEMA assistance and appeals, employment, health, housing, legal services, and unmet needs people are experiencing.
Each April during National Volunteer Month, officials from municipal, state, and federal agencies recognize volunteers across the nation for their unselfish commitment and dedication to service. We express our sincere gratitude to the organizations and their volunteers who supported Hurricane Maria disaster survivors who came to our city for help.
Disaster Assistance Services Center Partners
Salvation Army, Unidos PA’ PR, Asociacion de Puertorriquenos en Marcha, Hispanic Association of Contractors & Enterprises (HACE), Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps, Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Hispanic Association of Contractors (HACE), Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Region III, Federal Emergency Management Agency Region III, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, and more.
Greater Philadelphia Long Term Recovery Committee Partners
Southeastern PA Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), Liberty Lutheran Services, Ceiba, Casa del Carmen, Taller Puertorriqueño, Congreso de Latinos, Concilio, Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Catholic Social Services, Asociacion de Puertorriquenos en Marcha (APM), United Church of Christ, Red Cross Philadelphia, Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), Free Library of Philadelphia, Hispanic Association of Contractors & Enterprises (HACE), CareerLink, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Region III (HUD), Federal Emergency Management Agency Region III (FEMA), Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and City of Philadelphia Managing Director’s Office.
