BSRI News
By Sandy Porcaro BSRI Case Manager, Leland
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SRI works to promote the well-being of all seniors in Brunswick County, including in times of emergency,” says Sandy Porcaro, BSRI lead case manager for disaster preparedness. In this role, Porcaro manages tasks and preparation before, during, and after a hurricane to ensure the safety of seniors in our community. The case management team and center staff work together to prepare for a weather event. The team takes inventory of our supplies available at our centers: cases of water, pet food, cleaning supplies, paper products, and other necessities. Additional supplies are ordered and kept at each center, available to distribute to seniors in need following an emergency. The food pantry also provides food boxes for the homebound or those with food insecurity.
Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry, Brunswick Family Assistance, Red Cross, and many others to ensure information and resources are shared about shelter locations, transportation resources, food banks, weather updates, closures, and more.
BSRI is part of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD). VOAD promotes coordination among agencies and fosters more effective delivery of services in a disaster. The goal is for community agencies to work together to meet community needs. VOAD will host a disaster expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 28 at St. Brendan’s Church in Shallotte to provide information to the community about resources available during an emergency. Participants include the Red Cross, Brunswick
Family Assistance, Legal Aid, Brunswick Housing Opportunities, Emergency Management, and more. Before an emergency, the BSRI case management team reaches out to senior clients to ensure they are safe, disseminate information and resources, answer phone calls, plan for center closures and distribution of meals, and work with family members to ensure the safety of their loved ones. During an emergency, staff continues to work as safety allows from the office or home managing requests for information and supplies. After the event, case managers collaborate with other community organizations to assess the damage, determine where the needs lie, and assist with recovery.
If you have additional needs or
The case management team identifies vulnerable clients in our community who may need additional assistance during a hurricane or other weather event. Before an emergency, case managers reach out to vulnerable clients to ensure they have a plan in place, the support of family, or a way to get to a shelter if necessary. We stay in contact with other community organizations to share the latest information. The case management team collaborates with emergency management services,
At the Leland senior center, emergency supplies begin to stockpile. These supplies can be distributed if needed in emergencies.
