November 3, 2005 — Voice of Calvary Ministries, a NeighborWorks organization, in Jackson, Mississippi, is working closely with churches in post-Katrina rebuilding efforts.

This report was compiled by Phil Reed, VOCM executive director:

Medical Mobile Unit Provides Temporary Doctors' Offices as Communities Rebuild One of the many tragedies of Hurricane Katrina is the loss of medical offices in the devastated areas. Doctors have had to find alternative locations to meet with patients. The Voice of Calvary Family Health Center (VOCFHC) was given the title to a 2000 Winnebago which has been converted for medical use in the coastal areas of Mississippi.  It has two treatment rooms with treatment tables, 1 bathroom, and waiting area.  It also has a hydraulic lift in the rear for wheel chair accessibility.  The medical unit is being used by the Coastal Family Health Centers to see their patients. Coastal had four health centers along the coast, all of which were destroyed.

“Our new initiatives department met with an Ecumenical Services Organization in Magnolia, Mississippi on Tuesday, October 25, 2005. This is an association of 19 local churches who came together and developed a fund ($20,000) to assist displaced families in their area. Out of 700 families they have worked with, 248 are still living in shelters and hotels in the Magnolia/McComb area. Voice of Calvary has committed to this group to help meet immediate needs.

“There are families who have chosen not to return to the coast and remain in Magnolia/McComb, who are ready to move into apartments. Through our partnerships with World Vision, Mendenhall Ministries and Sears we have been able to supply them with needed stoves, refrigerators, bedding, school supplies, some blankets and some winter clothes. This organization has agreed to host a Voice of Calvary Homeownership Center, which will allow us to help meet some long term housing needs. We will be able to go in and work directly with families that need assistance in purchasing a home. About 17 elderly homeowners in the area received damage to their homes in the storm and do not have insurance to cover the damages. VOCM has committed to helping accomplish the task of assisting in the repairs by identifying materials needed to assist in repairing these homes.

“Voice of Calvary was asked to partner with them to meet needs in the area of health care as well. They have asked a Nurse Practitioner to assist the area with providing medicine and pediatric care. We are committed to working with the Ecumenical Organization to develop homes for displaced families, and to assist in the rebuilding of homes that have been destroyed.

VOCM Staff Provides Assistance in Battered Biloxi

“On Friday, October 21, VOCM staff members
spent a day serving on the coast. We assisted at
a Compassion Center in east Biloxi, which provides clothing, food, water and other necessities to area residents. Others spent the day in D’Iberville and were able to assist residents, who were unable
to complete necessary forms on their own, in completing FEMA forms and loan applications.
They were excited about a steady stream of people all day.

”One staff member met a woman who, with her two children and brother, weathered Katrina in their attic. When they emerged after the storm, they found little of their home left. We were able to help her complete the necessary paperwork to receive assistance in rebuilding. One final group of staff spent most of the day in east Biloxi, providing some hands on labor. We assisted in cleaning out damaged furniture and items from a home so they could begin rebuilding. The majority of damage was not from wind, but the water that the wind blew onshore. The waterline was about 5 feet and took everything and tossed it around.

”We were blessed by the opportunity to support folks on the coast in this way. And were amazed to see how much is still needed!”

View more Voice of Calvary Ministries Hurricane Relief Efforts.