RISE Success stories

The primary goal of the RISE program is to help Hurricane Ike survivors complete the recovery process by connecting them to resources through disaster case management services. The following success stories illustrate some of the ways the program is accomplishing this goal for so many clients.

Mrs. Green’s home was heavily damaged during Hurricane Ike. Right after the storm, volunteers from a local Baptist church rebuilt much of her home, but she still had needs to take care of before she could move back in. Her RISE case manager was able to coordinate volunteers to clean her yard as well as find funds to purchase new furniture. Mrs. Green cried when she was told that a hot water heater was being delivered to her house. Shortly after it was delivered, she moved out of her FEMA trailer and back into her home.

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A family of nine, the Savaadra’s home was completely demolished by Hurricane Ike. After the storm the family lived in a FEMA trailer, but they had to move the trailer from their home town in December due to a deadline for trailer removal. Ms. Savaadra worked hard to keep her children in the same schools as before the storm and to navigate her way through debris removal, permitting, demolition and clean-up of her property. She was one of the first to submit a complete application for CDBG funds to rebuild the family’s home. Her application was approved and her house is scheduled to be rebuilt over the summer.

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(Video courtesy of RISE partner agency BPSOS)