Emotional and Spiritual Care: Helping Families Recover after Disaster
Shelley Henderson | shelley.henderson@uss.salvationarmy.org | (704) 621-6106
Starke, FL (September 17, 2017)- His name is Jason, but he goes by Spiderman. His beautiful blue eyes are magnified by the thick glasses he wears. His goal for today is to find a playground to play on so he can practice his Spidey skills. Jason is five years old.
During Irma, his apartment flooded. Jason’s clothes were high up in a closet, but the clothing of his three siblings and his mother were found strewn throughout their apartment. Their furniture is ruined; Jason’s family has to start over.
“We are left with nothing,” said Jason’s mother Patty. “I have to figure out a way to get my stuff out of the apartment and it’s just me. I have to figure out how I am going to pay to move into a new place. Help is there, but I have to have the money upfront. I don’t have it.”
Patty’s story shows the stark reality of life after disaster. She is worried about her children. She is worried about keeping her job. She is worried that she will not be able to find a place to live that she can afford. She is worried.
As the shock wears off and the initial crisis is over, families have to figure out a new plan. It is a stressful time. Frustration levels are high. Despair and depression set in.
This is why The Salvation Army provides emotional and spiritual care after a disaster.
The physical support of food and water that the Army provides is necessary; the emotional and spiritual support is life-giving. Today, specially trained Salvation Army emotional and spiritual care providers are working all over Florida in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma. They are praying, sharing resources, and giving hope to people who are living in despair.
In the upcoming weeks, The Salvation Army will remain connected to Patty and her children, guiding her to resources and providing emotional and spiritual support. We are a church, a care provider, and we are here for Patty and others who need us.
Please donate today to help The Salvation Army provide assistance to Patty and other families and individuals.
Online: HelpSalvationArmy.com
By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
BY Mail:
The Salvation Army
PO BOX 1959
Atlanta, GA 30301
Please designate 'Hurricane 2017' on all checks.
To receive a donation link via text: Text STORM to 51555
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.