God is good: RCDRC’s Case Managers Return!
Post date: Apr 27, 2018 5:10:47 PM
In this new season of growth and opportunity we are humbly witnessing with reverent awe how God is continuing to bless this organization. Within the last two weeks we have achieved recognition as a 501c3 organization and public charity, we've obtained a new fiscal agent through an agreement with Church World Service, and today we are also happy to announce that RCDRC is able to provide Disaster Case Management services again and our office is officially open to the public! Upon hearing the good news last week that two of RCDRC's Disaster Case Managers would be able to return to work this week, Cassandra Campbell, the Executive Director of RCDRC shared the following email:
Jay & Kathy:
"I am so pleased to inform you that you have been reinstated under the National Dislocated Worker Grant Program administered locally by the Lumber River Council of Governments and you should report back to work at RCDRC, Inc. on Monday, April 23, 2018 from 8:30 am to 5 pm. I know this has been a long time coming; however, I am so grateful to God for the opportunity to bring you back to continue the great work you begun here for Hurricane Matthew Survivors in Robeson County. See you on Monday!"
So join us as we extend a very special thank you to the Lumber River Council of Governments for helping us to reactivate RCDRC Disaster Case Management services to the public. Moreover, we want you to know that although the last two months have been difficult, our staff remains focused on serving the needs of our clients while helping Robeson County recover from Hurricane Matthew, and prepare for future disasters.
The Heart of Recovery: From the Inside looking Out
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."
- Romans 8:28 KJV
Jay Leggette [a Hurricane Matthew survivor and RCDRC Disaster Case Manager] is eager to tackle the tasks that lie ahead and recently shared: "While I was extremely disappointed that our employment contract ended abruptly several weeks ago, I continued to work as a volunteer for this organization as time would permit because the work that we are doing is critically important."
"As a disaster survivor and a humanitarian relief worker I truly appreciate that the road to recovery is long and difficult for many, and that Disaster Survivors really do need a Disaster Case Manager. Often times survivors may encounter mountains of red-tape, various twists and turns, a series stumbling blocks, and miles of disappointment. As a result some survivors may feel like they're trapped inside of giant maze with absolutely no way out. But that's where Disaster Case Managers come in. We try to help survivors find a way out, even in the midst of the storm, and even when the solutions are hard to find. Therefore this dimension of recovery work is vital and necessary because our county and this region is not out of the woods yet, and new disaster could strike at any moment. I mean just look at what happened in Greensboro two weeks ago and in Parkland Florida two months ago. So even during the period that I worked as an unpaid volunteer I kept serving by sharing Active Shooter Resources with the community and the Public Schools of Robeson County, working with the Robeson County Branch of the American Red Cross in order to recruit local disaster response volunteers, helping faith-based organizations to develop strategies that can increase disaster preparedness capabilities, sharing tools and data with disaster case managers and Long-Term Recovery Groups across the state, and by supporting the efforts of our Executive Director that are simply focused on sustaining this organizations ability to provide relevant services and resources more efficiently."
Kathy Buie [a Hurricane Matthew survivor and RCDRC Disaster Case Manager] expressed that being unemployed the last two months was very difficult, especially since she had to undergo knee surgery during the same time. "The sudden loss of safety net resources and opportunities can be painful, and unexpected changes can have an enormous impact on one's life. But as God is blessing me to gradually get back on my feet one painful step at a time, I am always reminded that many of our clients and other disaster survivors all across Robeson County are still experiencing pain too. In troubling times and hardship it's always a little bit easier when you know that someone has your back, and that you're not alone. Through it all Cassandra has provided consistent advocacy and support for RCDRC's staff, the organization, disaster survivors and the community, and that really means a lot."
The Status of RCDRC's Funds for Disaster Survivors
Last week RCDRC sent an official request to the United Way of Robeson County with instructions on how they can quickly and easily transfer the funds that they have received on the behalf of this organization into the bank account of Church World Service, RCDRC's new fiscal agent. To date a response from the United Way of Robeson County is still pending.
As soon the funds are transferred RCDRC will also be able to re-activate the Case Review Committee and begin the process of distributing disaster assistance funds that the organization has received to eligible Hurricane Matthew survivors.
