Where are we now...

The Calcasieu Long Term Recovery Group continues to meet monthly. Through cooperation and collaboration it's participating organizations have leveraged more than $6 million in providing services, programs and repair, rebuild and new construction efforts to those impacted by the 2005 hurricanes.

Since the hurricanes hit, case management organizations such as Human Services Response Institute and SWLA Disaster Recovery Station have served to address the case management needs of more than 3,000 households. The count of temporary trailers housing those impacted by the hurricanes has gone from 6,400 to 2,850 as families have been assisted with finding more permanent housing. Counseling and mental health organizations have assisted thousands of individuals and families, adults and children with dealing with the "scars" of the disaster experience. Health and medical organizations have provided assistance with the purchase of medications, obtaining needed medical care and securing medical equipment and support aid. Much has been done but much remains to be done.


Vital to all that has been accomplished has been the help and support of volunteers. The seemingly endless tasks of cleaning up and clearing out debris, the canvassing and assessment, the repair, rebuild and construction and more - none of this could have been accomplished without the help of volunteers! Calcasieu Parish and SWLA has been very fortunate to have had thousands of volunteers and volunteer group come to our area from all over the United States to help in our efforts.

In response to the need to house these volunteers, the United Way of SWLA, thanks to the generosity of the Calcasieu Parish School Board in making a decommissioned school available, was able to renovate and operate the United Way SWLA Volunteer Housing Center to provide lodging of volunteers coming from other areas as well as local volunteers who might want to utilize their experience as a service-learning opportunity.

Volunteer Housing Center - www.swlavolunteercoordination.org