For some in Southeast Texas, Hurricane Ike throwing flood waters across Southeast Texas nine months ago is only a memory. Others, however, still live with the destruction daily as they are continuing to struggle to complete, or even begin, repairs. Those who are still in need of help now have somewhere to turn to for guidance to help them rise from the destruction.
RISE, Recovery for Ike Survivors Enterprise, is a disaster case management program designed to provide help, support and advocacy for survivors of Hurricane Ike as they work to recover.
The program is funded through a multi-million dollar grant and operated by Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response who is partnering with 10 other agencies to provide case management, including the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Beaumont and Dallas. Ten agencies are partners with LSSDR in this project.
The program does not provide direct services but works in partnership with the people who have survived Ike and still need help. The RISE case managers help assess needs, develop long-term recovery plans and refers their clients to the resources available to meet their needs for recovery.
A person must meet criteria to qualify for case management:
A survivor of Hurricane Ike;
Currently live in one of the following Texas counties – Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Orange, Walker, Waller or Washington (or if you lived in one of these counties before Ike hit and now live elsewhere, please call to determine eligibility);
Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident;
Not currently receiving assistance from the Disaster Housing Assistance Program or from another case management program.
For more information, please call toll free 1-888-IKE-RISE (1-888-453-7473). Or visit the website at www.texasrise.org.
