Internship program offers disaster relief | The Crimson White

Internship program offers disaster relief | The Crimson White: "More than 70 students are participating in the Disaster Relief Internship Program throughout the summer at various relief agencies like Temporary Emergency Services, Project Team-Up, Project Blessings and the City of Tuscaloosa Planning and Development Offices.

The local organizations utilizing the interns do not normally hire interns, so this summer’s opportunities are exceptional, Program Coordinator William McCracken said."

The Church and Disaster Relief: Shelter from the Stormy Blast | Acton Institute

The Church and Disaster Relief: Shelter from the Stormy Blast | Acton Institute: "With government assistance often bureaucratic and slow to respond, Christian charity and church organizations are a vital source of relief and comfort. 'Pastors usually know their community better than government officials . . . While the government talks about systems and infrastructure problems, faith-based organizations are able to provide immediate assistance thanks to established relationships with churches on the ground,' said Franklin Graham, CEO and president of Samaritan's Purse."

WAMC: Volunteers Assess Tornado Damage To Historic Properties (2011-07-05)

WAMC: Volunteers Assess Tornado Damage To Historic Properties (2011-07-05): "The Springfield Preservation Trust and Preservation Massachusetts have collaborated to try to assess what the devastating tornadoes did to Springfield's historic treasures. Volunteers armed with spread sheets that list the addresses of historic districts are going up and down streets in the hard hit Maple High, Six Corners and South End neighborhoods doing what's called a sidewalk assessment..
That's Carol de Carlo, one of the volunteers with the Springfield Preservation Trust. On a recent afternoon she was noting for the record the appearance of century old Victorian mansions that sit on the former campus of the McDuffie School high up a hill overlooking downtown Springfield and the Connecticut River."

Editorial: Western Massachusetts can be proud of tornado response | masslive.com

Editorial: Western Massachusetts can be proud of tornado response | masslive.com: "Last Wednesday, the MassMutual Center shelter – staffed by the American Red Cross of Pioneer Valley – closed its doors after 30 days of ministering to the needs of hundreds of families who lost their homes after the June 1 tornado. On Friday, a shelter operating out of the Eastern States Exposition, was also winding down its post-tornado operations. More than 1,000 victims were registered at the shelters in Springfield and West Springfield."

Red Cross closes Joplin shelter for tornado survivors - Neosho, MO - Neosho Daily News

Red Cross closes Joplin shelter for tornado survivors - Neosho, MO - Neosho Daily News: "Joplin, Mo. —

The American Red Cross closed its disaster relief shelter Friday.

Red Cross officials said the agency is transitioning its efforts from immediate disaster relief efforts to long-term recovery. The closure comes about five weeks after a tornado on May 22 devastated about 30 percent of the community. Officials said while a number of people have stayed at the shelter initially, those numbers have dwindled as people found suitable accommodations. The last few people staying at the shelter have left, officials said."