After assessing the needs of the Hurricane Katrina victims, Catholic Charities initiated a Hurricane Relief Program which focused attention on the short-term and long-term needs of the 5,000 families and individuals who relocated to the Los Angeles area. 

The short-term needs were for food, clothing, transportation and prescription drugs.

The long-term issues were finding housing and employment.

Catholic Charities’ staff collaborated with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Catholic parishes, FEMA, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way, Didi Hirsch Mental Health, Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, Society of St Vincent de Paul and ENLA.

The unique component of Catholic Charities’ response was our partnership with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Catholic parishes located in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

The Hurricane Relief Program brought local parishes together with us to “adopt” evacuees and help them with their financial, emotional and spiritual needs, while creating a “community” for the family. More than 26 families were adopted, and parish communities offered thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours to assist the evacuees in a multitude of ways. 

Catholic Charities’ Case Management program provided an array of support services to a highly diverse group of displaced people with multiple needs.  The affordable housing shortage and the low wages that many evacuees earned created doubt that those relocating here would be able to sustain their life style on a long-term basis.  Many evacuees were unable to find employment in their usual line of work, which was, often, the tourist industry. The majority had not finished high school. Those who found jobs were typically paid minimum wage.  In order to assist them, Catholic Charities provided extensive rental assistance and offered job retaining or other career opportunities.  More than half of the evacuees whom we assisted are now self-sufficient and able to sustain their new life in Southern California.

After consultation with staff, government and other agencies, Catholic Charities is in the process of phasing out the Hurricane Relief Program. As of September 1, 2006, our case managers reported approximately 45 open cases and few new referrals. We will budget to close out our existing cases and emergency referrals. We will notify the parishes and FEMA regarding our decision. The balance of the funds donated will be forwarded to the Catholic Charities’ agencies that are serving the Katrina Hurricane victims in New Orleans.

Client Statistics

• A total of 1,304 individuals received case management.  Of that number, 620 were under the age of 18.
  
• Over 3,100 units of service were provided.  These services included direct financial assistance, rental assistance, clothing, food and medication or medical services.
  

Report of Income and Expenses

Revenue:                                 $1,350,769

Expenses:                                $   969,613

Balance as of 9/1/06                  $   381,156
    

Participating Parishes and Church Organizations Evacuee Matches

American Martyrs Catholic Church (Manhattan Beach):  The parish committed to paying rent and utilities on an apartment for a year and provided furnishings. Their first evacuee family moved back to Houston unexpectedly.  They were, then, matched with a single woman who was engaged to be married.  The parish purchased a wedding gown and gave her a shower.  Members of the church provided gifts during the Christmas season.

Annunciation Catholic Church (Arcadia)

Ascension Catholic Church (Los Angeles):  The parish paid move-in fees and three months rent for an evacuee.

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (Los Angeles):  Members of the Cathedral parish adopted a family and provided rent for an apartment, furnishings and financial support.  Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik referred the family to the Cathedral’s social services director who, along with members of the parish, have been very active and involved in providing for the family’s needs.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (Long Beach):  A senior citizen evacuee was adopted by the parish and provided a stipend of $500 per month for six months.  A Layperson in the parish found a Baptist church and a senior center for him to attend.  Since the elderly man had lost everything, the parish supplied clothing, especially a new suit, shirt and ties for him to wear to church.  Member of the parish provided him with opportunities to get involved in the community in order to ease his resettlement.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Covina):  The parish adopted a woman and her grandson, age 11.  Originally the family planned to stay for six months but later found that their home was inhabitable.  The parish continued to pay rent until August 2006, when the family returned to New Orleans.  During their stay, the church provided food cards, furnishings and support including a housewarming shower for them.

St. Andrew Catholic Church (Pasadena):  The parish paid rent on an apartment for a young mother and her infant daughter for six months.  In addition to a crib and Christmas gifts, the parish council provided emotional support.

St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church (La Canada/Flintridge):  Parishioners at St. Bede’s were active in adopting a family with four teenage children and helping them to move toward self-sufficiency.  The church purchased a van, paid for auto insurance and found a job for the father.  In addition, they provided clothing, food and gift cards and financial support.  Although the job did not work out and the family eventually moved to Long Beach, the parish will continue to pay for rent through October 2006.

St. Bernadine Catholic Church (Woodland Hills):  The parish assisted a mother and her daughter by providing part of her monthly rent for six months.  A benefactor at the church gave the family Christmas gifts.

St. Brigid Catholic Church (Los Angeles)

St. Bruno Catholic Church (Whittier):  The parish adopted a mother and her two children and committed to pay rent, beginning in January 2006, for one year.  They also provided furniture and household items.  A committee at St. Bruno also enrolled the children in the parish school and provided tuition for the school year. 

St. James Catholic Church (Redondo Beach):  A pregnant women and her three children were given housing assistance for six months.  The parish purchased furniture, appliances, linens and bedding for the new baby.  At Christmas, family member received gifts and were invited to dinner and attended mass with parishioners.  The parish council visited the family on may occasions and provided assistance as requested.

St. Jerome Catholic Church (Los Angeles):  Parishioners at St. Jerome hosted two evacuee families.  The first family moved in to an apartment in Westchester, which was leased for one year, with utilities paid, fully furnished.  The parish also provided a one year scholarship for the client’s daughter at St. Jerome School.  After the family relocated to Houston , the parish adopted a second family.  Once again the parish paid all expenses, including move-in fees, rent and utilities for six months.  In addition, they purchased furniture and bought the client an automobile and paid for one-year of car insurance.  The parish also provided a Christmas tree and presents for the family.

St. Joseph Catholic Church (La Puente):  The parish enrolled three evacuee children, free of charge, in St. Joseph School and paid tuition for one year.

St. Joseph Catholic Church (Long Beach) 

St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church (Redondo Beach):  Parishioners embraced a mother and her two children by providing support and friendship which included housing for six months, furniture, gift cards, food and clothing.  The youngest child was enrolled in St. Lawrence Martyr School, tuition-free.

St. Luis de Montfort Catholic Church (Santa Maria)

St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church (Santa Maria)

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (Westwood):  The parish adopted an evacuee family of four and committed to house them for one year in an apartment owned by the parish.  All utilities and furnishings were provided.  The path to stability was further enhanced when parishioners helped the father find employment.

St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church (La Mirada):  Parishioners committed to pay rent on an apartment for a year for a family with young children.  In addition, they furnished the apartment, paid utilities for six months and assisted the father to find employment.  The parish obtained scholarships for the children to attend St. Paul of the Cross School.

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church (Simi Valley):  A parishioner, who owned a home, provided shelter, rent free for six months.  The community offered support, clothing and household items.

Transfiguration Catholic Church (Los Angeles):  The parish paid rent for an evacuee for three months.

Visitation Catholic Church (Los Angeles):  The parish adopted a couple and furnished an apartment, rent-free, for three months.  Items on their “wish list” were provided, as well as appliances, linens and other household goods.  Parishioners provided funds for medicine and paid for their return trip to Houston.

Church Organizations

The Sisters of Notre Dame (Sisters of Charity)/The Conejo Compassion Coalition (via St. Julie Billiart Church in Newberry Park): The Sisters of Notre Dame (Sisters of Charity) and the Conejo Compassion Coalition, along with St. Julie Billiart Church in Newberry Park, collected funds to house a couple with severe health problems until the couple could begin the path to recovery.

Providing Help. Creating Hope.

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