Update #18
Monday, November 19, 2012
9:00am
Good morning -
Things are moving rapidly on Staten Island and across the region. Even as essential services are being restored, long-term planning is taking place. On Saturday the New York Times had an article on homes being demolished (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/nyregion/in-new-york-hundreds-of-storm-battered-homes-face-the-bulldozer.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0). Today on the silive.com news site there is an article with pictures showing the devastation on Staten Island (http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/11/staten_islands_borough_preside.html#incart_2box) and an article on whether Staten Island should rebuild. (http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/11/should_staten_island_rebuild.html#incart_2box).
I include these three articles, less because of the result, but to show some of the complexity of long-term planning and of long-term recovery, which is the next phase of the disaster life cycle.
The Rev'd Michael Bamberger from Episcopal Relief and Development, who came to our Convention on Saturday, suggested that we include the following in our long-term planning as a Diocese: unmet needs; case management (walking through the relief agency system with those affected), looking for the vulnerable (those who slip through the cracks); advocacy; and spiritual care for the caregivers, as long-term recovery can be profoundly exhausting.
As a Diocese, we are planning ahead to meet long-term needs, including those above. While our plans are not yet final, please know that we are working to identify both the needs and the best structure for us to meet the needs of long-term recovery in Staten Island, lower Manhattan, and the region.
Presentation & lunch with clergy and caregivers: a workshop on "Providing Care in the Aftermath/Including for you", given by the Rev'd Stephen Harding, will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at The Church of St Andrew, (40 Old Mill Road, Staten Island, NY 10306, 718 351-0900), from 12:00 -1:00pm.
This presentation is for all who are caring for others in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. It's a time to come together over lunch, hear a presentation on care in the aftermath, and share in the conversation. Due to dietary considerations, everyone is asked to bring their own lunch. To RSVP and or more information, please call the Church of St Andrew at the number above. We hope you can join us on the 29th!
This presentation will also be given in lower Manhattan and in Region II. Details with times and locations are being confirmed.
Regional Planning: Last Friday, I participated in a conference call hosted by Katie Mears of Episcopal Relief and Development. On the call were the Disaster Response Coordinators from the Dioceses of Long Island, New Jersey, New York, and Newark; the Rev'd Michael Bamberger, and the Chaplain Specialist for New York National Guard Chaplain Alexander Knowles. It was a good call, and its purpose was for us to talk with each other, to share what we have been doing, and to begin to develop a coordinated response to long-term recovery as a region. Further updates on the regional response will be provided as planning continues.
Ways you can continue to help: Please continue to develop your parish-based response teams and call me to schedule a time for your team to help on Staten Island or the Diocese of Long Island. It means a great deal to those affected that you come to help.
Donations: we are temporarily holding off on asking for goods donations at this time while we work out the best way to identify the needs of those affected and the means for collection and distribution. Please be assured that there is a plan for further specific appeals as we get closer to Christmas.
Financial contributions to Episcopal Relief and Development can continue to be made at http://www.er-d.org/donate-select.php and to Episcopal Charities at http://episcopalcharities-newyork.org/donation.htm Thank you for your continuing generosity!
It was great to see so many of you at Convention on Saturday. Thank you for all that you are doing. Keep up your good work.
God bless you,
Stephen+
