General Response to Sandy

03.07.13

FEMA has extended the federal disaster assistance application deadline to Monday, April 1. The same applies for Small Business Administration application, which provides low-interest disaster loan assistance to individuals and businesses. Applying for both FEMA and SBA are important as it impacts your eligibility for other assistance. For more information about FEMA, go to DisasterAssistance.gov or 800-621 FEMA. For SBA information: www.sba.gov.
Disaster Recovery Centers remain open in several counties to provide a centralized location for information and application assistance. To see where the nearest one is located go to http://www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers
LSM/NJ is working through long-term recovery groups (LTRG) in several communities to provide assistance to individuals impacted by Sandy. If you’d like more information on how the LTRG process works, contact Lisa Barnes, Director of Community Partnering and Advocacy, at (609) 699-4143.
To date, LSM/NJ has distributed 15 grants to individual households impacted by Sandy. These grants are being used for everything from rental assistance to the purchase of appliances to building supplies. For more information on these grants, contact Lisa Barnes (contact information above)
Amy Pennenga, Disaster Recovery Coordinator for LSM/NJ, is working with volunteer groups and individuals who want to help with Sandy recovery. She can be reached at (609) 699-4137
Housing for volunteers is a significant issue as we move forward with recovery. If your church is interested in housing volunteers – short or long term – please contact Lisa Barnes (see contact information above).

For more information on:

Cleanup resources and local recovery efforts, 211 or link to NJ211.org
National Disaster Stress Helpline, 800-985-5900 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746
Disaster legal assistance, 888-541-1900

02.01.13

Your Donations in Action

Since Superstorm Sandy first hit New Jersey in late October, Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey has received generous donations from many who want to help our state in its recovery efforts.

Thus far, those donations have been used to provide small grants to individual households impacted by the storm. These funds are being used to help with rental assistance, home repairs, and mold remediation, as well as the purchase of replacement clothing, bedding, and appliances.

In addition, donations of food, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products continue to be distributed through LSM/NJ to some of the most impact areas. We’ve also been able to distribute donated retail gifts cards to be used for the purchase of building supplies and other necessities.

11.09.12

As of today, power has been restored to ALL LSM/Nj properties. This is an update from our initial report on Thursday, November 1, in which we indicated power outages existed at Lutheran Senior LIFE in Jersey City, Project Home, Luther Haven in Asbury Park, Stepping Stones Commons in Trenton, and Roosevelt Solar Village in Roosevelt.

11.07.12

Disaster response donation items.

11.02.12

Sandy’s Impact on LSM/NJ Programs and Services

Crane’s Mill (Continuing Care Retirement Community) in West Caldwell and Lutheran Care at Moorestown were very fortunate. At both communities there was little to no physical damage.

The first floor lobby in the building housing the Lutheran Senior LIFE center in Jersey City experienced severe flooding. The building management has started water remediation. Power lost on Monday is projected for restoration by Saturday. LIFE staff continue to triage resident’s needs via cell phones and home visits.
Two other Jersey City sites, Lutheran Home for Children and Project Home, reported no water infiltration or other damage. Project Home has no power.
Mt. Olive Manor I in Flanders sustained extensive damage to its roof and effects of water infiltration on the first through third floors. The 60 building residents were evacuated. Without power since Tuesday, both Mt. Olive I and II had power restored Thursday.
The South Plainfield Senior Residence and Birchwood at Old Bridge Senior Apartments, also without power since Tuesday, had power restored late Thursday. Over 20 medically fragile residents of Birchwood were relocated to family members’ homes prior to the hurricane hitting.
Mirota Senior Residence in Whitehouse Station had minor damage with some siding and air conditioner grills to replace.
The eight residents of Luther Haven were evacuated Monday due to potential flooding. Residents returned Wednesday but it will be some time before power is restored. Overnight staff is being doubled during the hours of the Asbury Park curfew.
Stepping Stones Commons in Trenton and Roosevelt Solar Village are without power.
All other LSM/NJ programs and properties fared well and are operating as usual.
LSM/NJ corporate staff made deliveries Thursday and Friday to several of our program sites providing:
food and water to alleviate anticipated shortages at four LSM/NJ housing sites in central and northern New Jersey.
gasoline to fuel generators and for staff vehicles to allow staff to get home and back to work in the morning.

North Jersey and the majority of the Jersey Shore continues to deal with debris, fallen trees and power lines, lack of gasoline at gas stations, and limited operation of food stores due to lack of power.

The need for support to remediate, restore and rebuild across New Jersey will be ongoing.

11.01.2012