Relief efforts under way

Catholics in the Albany Diocese have donated more than $1,000 to hurricane relief in Florida. The money will be sent to Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Venice.

Mary Olsen, coordinator for Catholic Charities Disaster Relief in the Albany Diocese, has been in contact with the dioceses in Florida most adversely affected by the recent storms: Venice, Orlando, Tallahassee/Pensacola and Palm Beach.

Many homes and businesses were destroyed by the hurricanes' intense winds, storm surges and tornadoes. According to reports, about 50,000 families were displaced by the storm.

Catholic Charities of Venice estimates it was aiding 20,000 people a day with emergency assistance, such as distributing food, water, personal care items; providing shelter, lodging vouchers, medical assistance and mental health counseling; helping with the community's clean up efforts; and assisting people in completing FEMA applications.

"This is going to be a long sustained recovery process. It could take possibly two years or more because so many buildings, homes and crops were devastated," said Peter Routsis-Arroyo, president of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Venice. "We need to get people back into their homes, back to work, and feeling secure and safe again."

Catholic Charities of Venice's long-term recovery efforts include:

* temporary and permanent housing and counseling;

* outreach to migrant farm workers;

* mental health counseling;

* budget and financial counseling; and

* job placement and counseling.

"What you see in times of disaster on this scale is your faith restored," said Mr. Routsis-Arroyo. "We've had people from all walks of life volunteer time, and donate money, goods and services. There has been an outpouring of generosity to help others who are suffering."

(To donate, send checks to Catholic Charities, 40 N. Main Ave., Albany 12203. Checks should be made payable to Catholic Charities; in the memo section, designate "Florida Disaster Victims.")

(10/28/04)