AmeriCorps and State Service Commissions in Disaster Janet Pace Executive Director Volunteer Louisiana
• Overview of Volunteer Louisiana’s role in disaster • Roles that AmeriCorps members have played in Louisiana response/recovery ‐Programs that expanded their service focus ‐New programs that emerged from disaster • Creating relationships with AmeriCorps programs in your state
About Us •Founded 1993 •Housed in the Office of the Lt. Governor •18 Commissioners, 5 staff •PY2011‐12 portfolio: ‐12 programs operating in 23 parishes with 987 members
The Twisted Sisters: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita • Devastated much of the state below I‐10 •CNCS invested $21 million in disaster funding to expand AmeriCorps services across the Gulf Coast
Hurricane Rita Category 3 September 23, 2005
Hurricane Katrina Category 4 August 29, 2005
ShrevCorps Assisted with building capacity in affordable housing for evacuees. Grew, transported and planted the heritage oaks in City Park and other historic sites in New Orleans
Responders
Louisiana Delta Service Corps
Intermediary program expanded from 45 members placed Trinity Christian Community University of Louisiana throughout the Louisiana Delta to 150 members at Lafayette placed primarily in New Expanded its focus from 10 AmeriCorps members doing Expanded their focus to immediately Orleans focused on home after‐school tutoring to 100 assist in response and recovery; then gutting and rebuilding returned to education focus but added members doing home gutting, mold‐remediation and rebuilding affordable housing focus area
New programs after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita • provided home gutting and rebuilding • Successfully “graduated” when mission fulfilled
•Home gutting and rebuilding •Mental health services •Veterans Corps
AmeriCorps Value‐Added in Disaster •Cadre of volunteers ready to respond •Skills such as volunteer management, shelter management and chain saw certifications •Flexible •Heart for service
How Do I Get Me Some Of Those? • Find out what AmeriCorps programs operate in your state •Call or email; most program directors will be happy to talk about their program’s capacity and whether there is a fit •Do it before disaster strikes
Questions? Janet Pace Volunteer Louisiana jpace@crt.la.gov 225.342.3125