Wisconsin Conference of The United Methodist Church: Flood recovery program reaches out to help Wisconsinites

CONTACT:

Michele Virnig

Director of Communications

Wisconsin Conference of The United Methodist Church

mvirnig@wisconsinumc.org

(888) 240-7328

More federal aid still available in 30-county area

Sun Prairie, February 22, 2010 – The 2008 Flood Recovery Program (FRP), funded in late 2009 by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services with a $6 million Federal Social Services Block Grant, is helping hundreds of Wisconsinites in the 30 counties declared a disaster area after the 2008 floods and storms. However, the FRP Program aims to help thousands more homeowners learn about the Program and get help.

By calling 2-1-1 or 877-947-2211 or visiting http://www.2008floodrecovery.org, homeowners can learn about the Program and determine if they qualify for assistance. After pre-qualification, Case Managers will contact the homeowner for a review and evaluation.

Within the past few months, FRP Case Managers have provided funding to repair homeowners’ basements; conduct mold remediation; replace carpeting and flooring; replace appliances such as furnaces, washers and dryers, refrigerators and stoves; repair septic tanks; provide temporary housing while homes were being repaired, and more.

One homeowner receiving assistance from the Program experienced devastating flooding in his part of Wisconsin in the summer of 2008. Both his septic system and well were damaged during the floods, and with only a fixed income as a retired and disabled veteran, he could not afford to pay for the testing or repair of either system.

Marjorie Matthews, the 2008 FRP Case Manager Supervisor assigned to his case, explained that he had no idea where to turn for help prior to finding out about the FRP. “Originally, this homeowner had received other aid,” stated Matthews, “but they only provided him with a small amount of money that was not enough to fix the problem. The client then used expensive bottled water over the next 18 months to avoid contamination, before he found out about the Program. During that time, his expenses were mounting up, his savings were rapidly running out, and he was fearful for the future.”

When Matthews arrived on the scene, she explained about the Program and showed him how to apply for FRP funds to pay to have both his well and his septic system tested and repaired. The goal is for him to stay safely in his home and resume a normal life.

According to Steve Zekoff, Program Director for FRP, “Even though hundreds of homeowners are now getting assistance to repair their homes and replace appliances, our Case Managers, working in collaboration with Project Recovery Outreach Workers (part of WI Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), are trying to find and help many more homeowners who may qualify for the Program before it ends on September 30, 2010.”

Two other case examples are below.

The 30 counties in Wisconsin designated as disaster areas in 2008 include:

Adams, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Manitowoc, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago.

About the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church

The Wisconsin Conference of The United Methodist Church is headquartered in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. It provides a connection for ministry linking all United Methodist clergy and the 480 congregations across Wisconsin. For more information visit: http://www.wisconsinumc.org, or contact Director of Communications, Michele Virnig at: mvirnig@wisconsinumc.org or 888-240-7328.

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OTHER STORIES FROM THE 2008 FLOOD RECOVERY PROGRAM

Story 1: Providing a Safe and Comfortable Place to Live

A homeowner had lived for an extended period of time in a used trailer next to his family home. The trailer had no heat or electricity and the living conditions, understandably, were very difficult for him.

The homeowner found out about the 2008 Flood Recovery Program (FRP) and called to ask if he could receive assistance. The answer was YES! The FRP moved him into an apartment until the “buy out” of his home with another flood relief effort took place. The FRP was able to provide him with the safe and comfortable living conditions he desperately needed.

Story 2: Repairing a Home and Restoring Hope for the Future

A homeowner had experienced very difficult conditions for some time: poor health, a painful divorce, and a declaration of bankruptcy due to flood-related home expenses — all contributing to making life extremely difficult for her. In addition, she no longer had carpeting in her house and used minimal heat to keep her expenses in check.

The homeowner also felt ashamed of the way her home looked and as a result, didn’t invite visitors over. She had become very depressed due to all of these problems and had given up hope.

She met with an FRP Case Manager and the Project Recovery case worker to discuss her multiple needs and they came up with a solution to change her life. They worked out a plan to re-carpet her home, replace her washer and dryer, provide weatherization and insulation, and even fix the sink holes in her yard. But most importantly, by repairing her home, the Case Managers were able to restore her sense of hope for the future.