Because of the unprecedented destruction and disruption of people’s lives as a result of Tropical Storm Irene, the Northern New England Chapter of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) will provide free, no strings attached, financial planning to those afflicted.

Call the FPA DISASTER RELIEF LINE at 888-562-8784 for assistance!

VCIL Newsletter website: http://www.vcil.org/about/newsletter

Join S.O.S. Vermont Friday evening, February 17, 2012, at the Community Christian Church in Athens, VT, from 6 to 8pm. The Vermont Folk Life Center will facilitate a Story Circle where anyone can join in and share their experience of Tropical Storm Irene. Kids will have their own special activity tables with river rock painting, story time and coloring. A complimentary dinner will be also served. This event is sponsored by The Community Christian Church, 26 Brookline Road, Athens, VT. For more information about this event call 802-365-9799.

The Vermont Folk Life Center believes that healing lies as much in the act of listening as it does in the act of telling one’s story. Each Story Circle gathers community members with different perspectives to share. The underlying belief is that we are all experts in our own experience and the best way to understand an event like Tropical Storm Irene is to gather the experts. Those gathered may hail from the same community, the same neighborhood, but they will each have a different point of view to share. By being part of VT Folk Life Center’s Story Circle, a permanent historical audio record is created for the community. For more information about The VT Folk Life Center go to: www.vermontfolklifecenter.org.

S.O.S. Vermont and The Vermont Folk Life Center will also be hosting a Story Circle event in Wilmington, Vermont on Friday, March 16th. This free event will be at Twin Valley High Library from 7 to 9pm. Share your Tropical Storm Irene story with others. Refreshments and kids activities will be provided as well. Come be a part of a special evening where people together bear witness to the experience of others. For more information call 802-579-7647.

Posters: SOS Poster Athens 20120217-Letter (485KB PDF) and SOS Poster Athens 20120217-Legal (510KB PDF)

Elizabeth McEwen, 802-376-6578, will work with people in southwestern Windham County: Whitingham, Wilmington, Dover, Halifax, Marlboro, Wardsboro, and western Newfane.

Tyler Maas, 802-376-6528, will work with people in southeastern Windham County: Battleboro, Guilford, Vernon, Dummerston, Putney, Townshend, Brookline, and eastern Newfane.

Mary Ann Wolf, 800-464-9951 x 128, continues to work with people in Westminster and Athens.

Neighborhood Connections is working with people in Stratton and Jamaica.

The Precision Valley LTRC is working with the northernmost towns in Windham County – Londonderry, Windham, Grafton, and Rockingham.

Many Vermont flood victims have received help and are moving on, but there are still individuals and families struggling, and in need of assistance. Whether its crisis counseling support, like that being provided by S.O.S. Vermont, the cleanup efforts of family and neighbors, or financial assistance from a disaster relief organization, the recovery process continues for many. While the strength of Vermonters who have been able to move on is worth recognizing, it is also important to acknowledge the needs and continuing struggle of those who have not yet recovered.

Even with all of the help and services being provided to survivors of the flood there is still much work to be done to help people get back on their feet. There are numerous resources that can help people transition into their “new life” after the flood. For example:

• Vermont Society of CPA’s has formed a task force to offer free or reduced fee tax preparation and consulting services to survivors of the 2011 flooding. Contact Carolyn Stevens, CPA, at cstevens@trans-video.net with any questions.
• Seasonal Fuel Assistance – www.mybenefits.vt.us.gov
• Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA) also offers a housing assistance program in which eligible participants are awarded a voucher to assist with rent. Visit www.vsha.org for more information on this and a number of other helpful programs.
• Long Term Recovery Groups –Local groups are meeting to coordinate long term recovery efforts around the state.
• FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-FEMA (TTY 1-800-462-7585) or download: http://www.fema.gov/pdf/assistance/process/help_after_disaster_english.pdf for a guide in assisting individuals with requirements, documentation, and processes
• Community Actions Agencies – Go to this website for services regarding job training, affordable housing options, and support: http://humanservices.vermont.gov/community-partners/cp-community-action

More resources and educational materials to assist those affected by Tropical Storm Irene can be found at S.O.S. Vermont’s website, www.startingoverstrongvermont.org, or through their toll-free number at 1-855-767-8800.

“As we meet with families recovering from the flood, we’re finding that the amount of damage and the specific problems associated with flooding are well beyond most people’s experience with home improvement projects,” said LTRC member and Windham & Windsor Housing Trust’s Director of Homeownership, Cathy Semans.  “These homeowners need help identifying what exactly needs to be done to bring their home to pre-flood condition, how much it should cost, and how to identify a reputable contractor to complete the repairs,” Semans continued.

To meet this need, the Long-Term Recovery Committee is actively seeking volunteers to help homeowners through the process of obtaining estimates, hiring contractors, and supervising the repairs.  Volunteers are not being asked to complete the work.  People with construction and contracting experience who are interested in volunteering should contact Cathy Semans at 802-246-2109.

Since October, SEVCA has had a warehouse location to receive, house, and distribute donations of furniture, clothing (including winter clothes), linens, and household goods for families and individuals who have been affected by Tropical Storm Irene. The site has been distributing donated items (although is no longer accepting them), on Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. until noon, as well as 4:45 to 6:00 p.m.; and on Thursday afternoons from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. Other times may be possible by special arrangement, if needed.

People in need of these household items should call in advance to make arrangements and receive directions to the site. To schedule a time, or for more information, please contact SEVCA at (802) 722-4575 or toll-free at (800) 464-9951.

Time is limited, the warehouse will close in mid-March!

Vermont has five “Homeownership Centers” (HOCs) which provide, statewide, housing counseling services (pre- and post-purchase counseling, homebuyer education, delinquency and foreclosure intervention), as well as operate Rehabilitation Loan Funds for critical home repairs, providing assistance to homeowners with construction specifications and construction oversight. The Homeownership Centers provide critical support to Vermont homeowners, as well as educating new homebuyers. These centers are now working with victims of Tropical Storm Irene, many of whom have been referred by Long Term Recovery Committees, human service agencies, state agencies, municipalities, and lenders. Counselors are certified and experienced, and all counseling services are available to the public free of charge.

The LTRC is already working with most people affected by Irene.  However, if there is someone who the LTRC has not contacted yet and/or didn’t register with FEMA,  getting this info to the LTRC will start the process of getting them help.  Please return the survey to the LTRC by e-mail.