At It Again.

We have all heard the stories, seen the evidence, and cried about our losses. What made Hurricane Ike different from all of the other disasters we have encountered? We were affected just like the clients we serve! It was a trying time, but together, we got through it. Hurricane Ike taught us lots of lessons. Mainly, it reinforced GRACE Community Service's goal: Disaster preparedness. If we are prepared, our road to recovery will be less stressful. As the case managing agency and the preparedness gurus, we have no choice but to be ready. Hurricane Ike devastated the Gulf Coast, but GRACE Community Services was ready.

GRACE Community Services set out to make history once again. We partnered with Lutheran Social Services and Baptist Children and Family Services to assist disaster survivors of Galveston, Texas. When we arrived on the scene, it was heart wrenching. People were forced to reside in tents! BCFS led the recovery effort for families that were residing in the shelter. GRACE Community Services' (along with Luther Social Services) role was to locate temporary (transient) to permanent housing for the over 260 residents of the shelter. The shelter was to be opened for only two weeks. The task at hand was not difficult, but it was trying. Why, you ask? Housing on the island was and still remains today almost non-existent. There was and is a large deficit in that area of recovery. The pool we had to work from was limited.

The good news is that we were successful in placing all residents of the shelter. Not only did all find housing solutions, but we finished before the two-week time limit. Look at GoD!!!