Late Sunday night, a fire broke out in the third floor of a Raleigh apartment building. Eight people were forced to jump out of windows to escape the flames, some with children in their arms. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh was contacted and asked to offer direct assistance to 11 families who are currently displaced and living in hotels. Catholic Charities reacted swiftly: they will be helping the families find new residences and will pay the first month’s rent and/or any security deposit that might be required.
In addition to direct financial assistance, Catholic Charities will be helping to provide food, clothes for children, diapers, baby wipes, baby items, hygiene products and, through collaborators, adult clothing. Catholic Charities is partnering with The Green Chair Project, an initiative to help needy individuals achieve self-sufficiency and furnish a home with dignity. Through this partnership Catholic Charities will be able to serve the basic needs of these families and help get them back on their feet.
“As days go by, long-term care will be especially important,” said Consuelo Kwee, Coordinator of the Hispanic Family Center of Catholic Charities. “These displaced families will need to start over, and we will be there along the way to provide physical and emotional support.”
Once a stable residence is established for the affected families, case managers from Catholic Charities will be assigned to provide on-going care. “We will be offering counseling for the families, and will even help the families stabilize their children back in school,” said Kwee.
Those wishing to make a donation to help the 11 displaced families should call 919-873-0094 x222 for more information. Please keep these families in your prayers.