Update: On May 6, HODR officially transitioned the RI RCC to Serve Rhode Island, a local organization that will continue with the operation of the RCC for the long-haul. For more info, click here.
Project Update April 22:
For the past 3 weeks our small team on the ground in Rhode Island has been continuing to make a big impact during this Coordinative Services Project. HODR is not engaged in a full-scale volunteer project, rather we are lending our expertise and ability to manage requests from the community and match them with volunteers teams from other responding organizations and local volunteers that are working in the field.
We continue to work closely with United Way 2-1-1 and other members of Rhode Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (RI VOAD). HODR has taken the lead role in facilitating requests for volunteer assistance that come into United Way 2-1-1. United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island is a telephone service that works similarly to 9-1-1 and 4-1-1. By dialing 2-1-1, Rhode Islanders receive a 24/7/365 health and human services help/hot line staffed by information referral and state-health and insurance counseling specialists. In this case 2-1-1 has become the primary needs intake point for those in need of direct volunteer assistance, usually in the form of clean up assistance.
Rhode Island Recovery Coordination Center (RI RCC)
HODR launched the RI RCC in partnership with the RI VOAD to facilitate collaboration between both national and local agencies to identify and effectively meet the needs of the community. The RI RCC provides resources and referrals to residents in need of assistance as well as coordinates with voluntary agencies to deliver services directly to those in need. Another main role is that we have been hosting coordination meetings for agencies and organizations participating in the response and recovery efforts in order to encourage communication and collaboration between groups, avoid duplication of efforts, and ultimately maximize impact on the community in its time of need.
Collaboration
The Jewish Community Center (JCC) and NECHAMA Jewish Response to Disaster have welcomed the HODR team into their volunteer base and continue to be our home away from home during this Coordinative Services Project.
Based on the many volunteers already in the area, we do not anticipate launching a full-scale HODR volunteer project. Over the next couple of weeks, however, we are continuing to power the RI RCC in cooperation with RI VOAD, 2-1-1, Serve Rhode Island (SRI) and Rhode Island Emergency Management (RIEMA). Other organizations involved with the recovery efforts in RI include: Christian Aid Ministries, Christian Disaster Relief, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Mennonite Disaster Service, NECHAMA, Samaritan’s Purse, Serve Rhode Island, Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief, and the Jonnycake Center of Westerly, RI.
Special Needs
HODR alum Bill Sr. and friend/new HODR volunteer Mark S answered the call to build a displaced family a handicap ramp for their new mobile home. The family was forced to vacate their flood damaged rental and purchase a mobile home nearby. One of the family members suffers from limited mobility issues and can not climb stairs. In order to even enter their new home a ramp needed to be built. Two days after receiving the call HODR volunteers had solved the problem and the family moved in. Click here for photos of HODR in Rhode Island.
Transition
Will conclude our efforts here by May 7, and are working to identify a local agency to transition the database and work request coordination.
This project has allowed us to utilize HODR’s expertise in workflow and volunteer management on a small scale, and we want to thank all of the supporters of this project & HODR, as well as the many organizations and agencies that are actively participating and working together toward an effective response all around and strengthening the state coordination system under RI VOAD.
