One of the first groups to help us, even before we had paid staff were the “green shirts” who are know all over the world for their remarkable response and assistance in times of disasters. These members of the CRWRC (http://www.crwrc.org/relief/na/) canvassed our two rural areas, going door to door in both Hendry and Glades Counties. Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is a relief, development, and educational ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. In addition to this initial assistance, they have provided our paid staff with lots of resources to find volunteers and learn about disaster recovery, and have given us $50,000 in cash to provide direct assistance to disaster victims.
Volunteers are the back bone of CREW. This year we were blessed with 416 volunteers from all over the country. We have had 22 different groups come and help with repairing our community. These groups consisted of 12 Lutheran groups and 1 Lutheran Individual; 14 Methodist groups and 6 Methodist Individuals; 7 Presbyterian groups; 3 United Church of Christ groups; 1 Baptist group and 2 Pentecostal Individuals. We also had two more individuals’ work that were not connected to any church but heard about us over the internet. These groups worked on 33 homes making repairs to walls, ceiling, floors, roofs, cabinets, siding, skirting, installing windows, building handicap ramps, demolition, and debris cleanup. In 2007 we had a total of 416 volunteers come and help with several projects. They contributed 12,390 volunteer hours with an in kind value of $232,312.50. Theses volunteers also gave cash donations in 2007 totaling $14,265.81 from several different volunteer groups.
In 2007, the assistance we received from local churches is immeasurable. Community Presbyterian Church provided housing for 4 different groups of various faiths and provided 196 meals for all of our groups for a total of in kind donations of $1470.00. In addition, First United Methodist Church of Clewiston provided housing for 9 groups and provided 185 meals for all of our groups for a total of in kind donations of $1387.50. In addition, they have often hosted our UMCOR Storm Recovery liaison for dinner when she is in town helping CREW. First United Methodist Church of Moore Haven provided meals for 2 of our groups with a total of 43 meals for a total in kind donation of $322.50. They also housed two groups of volunteers. First Baptist Church of Clewiston provided housing for 5 groups and provided 99 meals for a total in kind donation of $742.50. Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal Church provided housing for 2 groups in 2007.
If we combine this with our 2006 numbers, it is staggering. In 2006 we had 99 volunteers (not counting the ones before March when we did not have paid staff and were not keeping track) who worked a total of 2840 volunteer hours with an in kind value of $52,540.00. Community Presbyterian Church provided housing for 3 groups and provided 74 meals for all of the groups in 2006 for a total in kind donation of $555.00. First United Methodist Church of Clewiston provided housing for 3 groups and provided 68 meals for all of the groups in 2006 for a total in kind donation of $510.00. Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal Church provided housing for 1group in 2006. We received cash donations in 2006 totaling $1,500.00 from two different volunteer groups.
So, since inception until the end of 2007 we have had over (as no records exist for the earliest volunteers) 515 volunteers, 31 groups and 11 individuals. Most of our volunteers came from out of state and elsewhere in Florida. Often they slept on cots or in sleeping bags in our local churches, some stayed in motor homes they drove here in, few rented motel rooms while they were here. Most often they answered a call for help that came from their church, others read about us on the internet. All came selflessly and willingly to help out their fellow man. They are the heart and soul of our organization.
However, the volunteers would have nothing to do if not for all the casework we do. Including all cases, we have assisted over 765 families or individuals (681 in Hendry County), (not including over 60 we tired to assist who were in FEMA trailers but declined assistance). We have 107 cases remaining in Hendry County and 12 in Glades. We started the year with 5 case managers, and are ending the year with only 3 and ½. During the last few months of the year we had 6 case managers in order to help out the FEMA Close-Out Program.
During 2007 our volunteers completed a lot of work. For our families our volunteers installed insulation for five families, installed paneling for 3 families, installed drywall and ceiling for 29 families, and finished 24 drywall and ceilings, installed floor covering for 5 families, re-roofed 17 roofs, and made roof repairs on 6 roofs. Our volunteers also installed windows for 32 families and doors for 12 families. They installed tile for 4 families, base boards for 1 family, repaired trims for 4, replaced light fixtures in one home, and installed a hot water heater for another family. Sub flooring was removed and replaced for 15 families. Volunteers removed blown down trees for 4 families, and completed interior painting for 24 families and exterior painting for 2 families. Plywood ceilings and trims repaired in 2 homes, removing old windows in 1 home, demolishing damaged and replacing new fencing for one family, and removing and replacing rotten studs for 6 families was also completed by volunteers. Volunteers repaired and replaced siding for 7 families, skirting for 9 families living in mobile homes, replaced sophist in one home, built a set of steps in another, replaced and fixed electric plugs, switches, junctions, boxes and ran wire for appliances for 3 families. They also cleaned up debris for three families, installed closet systems in one home, install tubs in two homes, repaired screened porches for 3 families, and built handicapped ramps for two families. Finally our volunteers also replaced mobile home siding for 2 families and repaired mobile home duct work for 1 family. The total cost of all these jobs were about $45,161.97. In materials, appliances and furniture and other we received donated items with an in-kind donation of $6242.50.
Through our partnership with Volunteer Florida Foundation’s Florida Disaster Recovery Program (http://www.flahurricanefund.org/), we have two programs, the FEMA Close out and our Mitigation Program though My Safe Florida Home (http://www.mysafefloridahome.com/FreeHomeInspectionsPrint.htm) program.
We have a total 89 applicants in our Mitigation program, 15 are completed, and 45 are in progress. We are awaiting inspection reports on 29 more and need to submit 11 more families to the mitigation program to have it completed. The total cost for completing these homes was $30,327.80. At the end of this quarter the mitigation account has a total of $15,768.55. The total balance that is left from the mitigation grant is $204,342.38. As of December 20, 2007 CREW received an extension until March 31, 2008 to complete 100 homes in the Hendry and Glades County areas. CREW will continue in its effort to mitigate 100 or more homes in Hendry and Glades Counties. There will be a continued effort to reach clients by advertisement by flyers as well as going from door to door in the communities of Hendry and Glades Counties. S.H.I.P. Coordinator Aida Barnhart of Hendry County has continued in her effort to gain clients for Mitigation.
One program, our FEMA Close-Out Program, has had extraordinary success. The final report on this program is as follows. Since March, C.R.E.W. has been working with FEMA, Hendry County, and the City of Clewiston to find suitable housing solutions for FEMA clients still housed in FEMA units as of April 24, 2007. Originally, FEMA gave C.R.E.W. a list of 65 families whom FEMA believed would be in need of additional assistance. Additionally, the city of Clewiston supplied a list of approximately 20 other families residing in FEMA mobile homes on non conforming lots inside Clewiston City Limits. Of these cases, C.R.E.W. was able to help the majority of these families find permanent housing solutions.
Hendry County is unique in that it is small, rural and has few conforming mobile home lots. Over 90% of the mobile home lots available in Hendry County are located on a flood plan. FEMA will not set up a mobile home on a flood plan. Therefore, the majority of the families who participated in the FEMA modified sales program had to find money to pay for the set up, tie down, permit fees, skirting, stairs and connection of all utilities in order to make their mobile home livable. Furthermore, for permitting issues, families were required various surveys depending on the lot to which the mobile was going. Because of lack of competition among licensed contractors and Clewiston’s location, the fees for the above mentioned services are higher than in other areas, costing on average $9000 to set up the mobile home. To add to complications, Hendry County has a lack of industry that could help support the financial needs of community members. Thus, for C.R.E.W. the FEMA close out project has been very unique and expensive as compared to other counties in the state.
When helping a family reach final recovery and independence, the first step was to search for funding. Throughout the course of the project, C.R.E.W. was leveraged funding in excess of $250,000 from the Volunteer Florida Foundation, The American Red Cross’s Means to Recovery Program (http://www.redcross.org/general/0,1082,0_294_,00.htm) land other local funders in our community. This money was used specifically for direct services provided to our clients. Once funding had been attained, C.R.E.W. ran into another obstacle, permitting. At the beginning of this project, a new code inspector began employment with Hendry County. This led to delays in the permitting system. Then half way through the project, the individual resigned, and for a while Hendry County had no inspector. However, the county was able to make arrangements with Glades county to have permits issued. Currently, it takes approximately one to two weeks to receive a permit in Hendry County. This is a great improvement over the three months that it took for the first permits applied for to be issued.
Finally, there have been issues with the FEMA contractor’s schedules. Once the permits have been issued, C.R.E.W. families are at the mercy of the schedule of the FEMA contractors as all trailers have to be moved by FEMA contractors. For as many trailers that have been delivered as scheduled, we have the same amount that were not. However, most trailers are being delivered in a timely manner currently. Once trailers are delivered, it takes the contractors who are working with C.R.E.W. about one week to set up the trailer. Depending on the schedule of the county inspectors issuing the Certificate of Occupancy, families are waiting approximately one week to a week and a half to move into their mobile homes if no issues arise.
Of our clients, two cases were closed because of the families’ failure to comply with their service plan. For the other families, C.R.E.W. was able to find a funding plan that would cover the cost of fully setting the mobile home to county code – with the exception of three families. For the three families who did not have a funding plan, C.R.E.W. had planned on using money from the City of Clewiston; however, the funding has not come through. C.R.E.W. is committed to continuing to work with these families to find alternate funding for this family. C.R.E.W. was also able to work with a local contactor who was willing to begin the permitting process so that the client would not be dropped from the FEMA modified sales program.
It was the hope of FEMA to have all trailers set and families in their new mobile homes by Christmas. However, due to amount of time involved in the entire set up process, the lack of contractors that can set up the mobile homes and the schedules of the FEMA contractors, this was logistically not possible. However, all of the mobiles were delivered by Christmas. C.R.E.W. is following our families into the New Year as our contractors continue to work diligently to set up these mobile homes as quickly as possible. At this point, it is realistic to believe that all FEMA mobile homes will be set up and families will be in their mobile homes by the end of January 2008.
Partnerships are another great accomplishment CREW has made. We would never have been able to complete as much as we have without the help of our partners. Through our partners, grantors and donors we have been able to buy not only the supplies and materials that our volunteers use, but have also been able to hire local, licensed contractors (thus helping the local economy) to repair roofs, put on new roofs, complete electrical and plumbing work for our rebuild as well as many of our repairs. Especially with the financial troubles builders are facing in today’s economy, this has been especially helpful.
Our partnerships with faith based groups are our crowing achievement. The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and United Methodist Committee on Relief have funded our staff members for 2 years. They, along with United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries and Lutheran Disaster Response have provided volunteers and funds to repair and rebuild homes and lives. While working on homes, many of these volunteers have also ministered to the souls of our hurting clients, and provided emotional and spiritual support to our staff as well.
The First Baptist Church of Clewiston, Community Presbyterian Church of Clewiston, First United Methodist Churches of Moore haven and Clewiston, and Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal ME have all housed our volunteers as well as fed many of them and had them join in their worship services as well.
First United Methodist Churches of Clewiston and Moorehaven as well as Community Presbyterian Church of Clewiston have also funded some of our projects. In addition both the First Untied Methodist Church of Clewiston and Moorehaven gave CREW office Space when we first needed it.
Community Presbyterian Church of Clewiston also donated us the use of their shed to store our tools, donated furniture, appliance and materials.
Pastors and lay leaders from Community Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church of Clewiston and Moorehaven, Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal ME, First Baptist Church of Clewiston, Calvary Baptist Church have served on our board or our unmet needs committee and always volunteered whenever we asked.
Calvary Presbyterian Church sends money to us each month to help defray the cost of our cell phones. Volunteers often donate money while they are here, and several churches and other agencies and individuals read about us or hear about us and donate money or volunteer.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Committee on Relief, Lutheran Disaster Response and other faith based organizations send us volunteers on a regular basis.
Catholic Charities has also provided immeasurable assistance to our clients as well, and their staff members are part of our unmet needs committee. Church World Service provided us with start up funds.
We have partnered with many community agencies as well, such as The Empowerment Alliance of Southwest Florida, shared staff with them, and given office space to one of their employees who provided credit counseling and helps low income families finance new homes responsibly. They have also funded projects for many of our clients.
We also work with the United Way of Lee Hendry and Glades. They have paid the salary/ benefit package for our Executive Director for two years. In addition they have funded a small amount of direct assistance as you can see in our financial section of the report. They have also given us use of our current office space, and through their 211 referral sources we have been able to get donated water heaters, stoves, clothes and other items to our clients.
Our partnership with Volunteer Florida Foundation has funded our FEMA Close out Project, our Mitigation Program, and provided direct assistance to those in FEMA housing. It has also provided invaluable training to several of our staff members.
We also assist the Homeless Coalition of Hendry and Glades, Family Services Network and the Emergency Services Committee by attending and participating in their meetings to help improve the life of our clients through out our two rural communities.
American Red Cross (local and national) have helped our clients immeasurably, giving donated supplies after Tropical Storm Ernesto, serving on our unmet needs committee, and providing funding to clients through their Means to Recovery program.
We also have partnered with government agencies as well. The City of Clewiston gave CREW office space for an entire year. In addition many of their staff assisted us in many ways, teaching us building codes, assisting with uncooperative clients, and more. The City also gave us one of their old retired work trucks which has allowed us to haul materials to job sites. We also returned the favor, playing an active part in their City wide Clean up day when our staff volunteered time and helped pick up trash throughout the city.
Hendry and Glades County SHIP program, USDA Rural Development, Emergency Management of Hendry County and Emergency Management of Glades County are also partners. Two of our staff are CERT trained and will assist Hendry County in the event of a disaster.
Financially, CREW has done wonders. For 2007, CREW paid $203,502.01 in wages, tips and other compensation, withheld $16021.75 in federal income taxes, $12617.11 in social security taxes, and $2950.78 in Medicare taxes. It also does not include the $18,963.41 we have paid Empowerment Alliance towards our half time case manager shared employee.
In addition we have received in kind funds, such as the money that United Way paid for our Executive Director’s salary and benefit package ($65,171). Also, donation of volunteer hours valued at $232,312.50 and in kind donation of meals for our volunteers valued at $3922.50. We also received donated furniture, materials, tools, and other supplies valued at $6242.50. In addition The Empowerment Alliance paid over $7000 to contractors at our request for CREW clients. The United Way of Lee Hendry and Glades paid $65,171 for the Directors Salary and Benefits.
One of our greatest accomplishments has been our ability to keep our administrative costs at 4.8% of our total budget.
In-kind donations for 2007: $379,819.50. Total revenue in 2007 was $576,005.54 of which we spent $495,671.21, leaving a balance of $80,334.33.
Gala Fundraiser raised $9,028.99 at a cost of $3,670.86 leaving us with $5,358.13 profit.
CRWRC donated $50,000.00 of which we have spent $19,106.86 leaving us $30,893.14.
VFF Grants provided $230,668.13 of which we have spent $244,829.61 leaving us -$14,161.48.
NFL/UW raised $60,000.00 of which we have spent all of it.
Lutheran Grant raised $10,000.00 of which we have spent all of it.
PDA Grant raised $22,916.60 of which we have spent $19,094.95 leaving us $3,821.65.
UMCOR grant raised $167,224.00 of which we have spent $95,256.11 leaving us $71,967.90.
General Funds had $37,996.82 deposited of which we have spent $33,858.69, leaving us $4,138.13.
Rotary grant raised $12,000.00 of which we have raised $9,205, leaving us $2,795.00.
We received the following donation throughout the year: United Way of LHG $150.00,
iGive.com $73.15, Client contributions $700.00, From Volunteers $4,265.81, Cash Contributions $887.50, Individual Donors $1,840.00, Clewiston First United Methoidst Church $2,740.77, Community Presbyterian $6,014.75, Calvary Presbyterian $750.00, Moorehaven First United Methodist Church $24.00, Peace Valley Lutheran Church WG $25.00, Presbytery of Tropical FL $75.00, Lykes Brothers $500.00, LWM L Dorcas Society $25.00, Sunniland Corporation $79.60
Expenses for 2007 were as follows: Accounting $3,750.00, Advertising $238.05, Contractors $84,221.08, Dues $30.00, Training $36.52, Fund raisers $397.00, Gas $438.94, Insurance $8878.00, License and taxes $617.50, Mileage $1,2346.71, Office Supplies $9,367.67, Bonus $35,000.00, Payroll $203,502.01, Payroll Taxes $19,706.36, Postage $1,772.14, Telephone $4,888.03, Truck Expenses $5.00, Utilities $420.00, and Work Team Expenses $43,298.22.
This is quite a comparison when we look at our total income in 2006 which was $66,310.68. This income came from the following sources: 2006 Ministerial Association $6,000.00, Community Presbyterian $4,000.00, First United Methodist Church $4,125.00, Church World Service $5,000.00, Lutheran Services $25,000.00, Rotary $7,500.00, United Church of Christ $2556.82, NFL Grant reimbursements $6477.40, Donations $2,088.95, Special Needs Gifts $5,62.51, and Client Contribution $3,000.00.
We have been blessed to be able to help so many and find so many wonderful people and agencies willing to give their money and time to make our community better. We still have a lot to go. Here is an outline of what we have ahead of us.
Remaining Needs
As of the end of the year we have quite a few remaining needs, mostly Wilma victims.
We still have funds for 9 more Mitigation clients we have yet to find. We have completed 23 to date. 50 have been given to the contractors to complete. We are waiting on inspection reports for 18 before we can give to the inspectors.
We have 13 clients still needing help in Glades County. We have several clients, with funding approved awaiting volunteers or contractors to complete work. Several more need to bring in documentation to complete their intake assessments, before we can determine eligibility.
Three of our clients, we were hoping to get funding from the city on; we may need to look elsewhere for the $19,959.50. We have been unsuccessful in getting the funds we expected from the City of Clewiston.
We need an additional to cover the costs of currently assessed needs, plus more for the jobs where costs have not been estimated. We have 18 jobs, including a rebuild which we already assessed; money funded and simply need volunteers. We have another 17 cases that need to be assessed by our construction coordinator. 50 more clients need to complete their applications so that eligibility can be determined and needs assessed. If they are eligible for existing programs such as USDA rural assistance, or SHIP then we would make a referral to these agencies and assist the client through the application process. If they are not eligible we would present to our unmet needs committee. All but 4 of these are Hurricane Wilma related.
To close out our 13 open cases in Glades County we need:
- $5700.00 and volunteers to replace drywall, roofing and two doors.
- $3500.00 and volunteers to complete roof and ceiling repairs
- $1310.00 and volunteers for repairs for roof, skirting, door and plumbing repair.
- we are just waiting on title transfer for two
- we need volunteers for four homes where money was already funded
- 5 more need to complete their paperwork & have construction/damage assessment
To close out our 105 cases in Hendry County we need:
In addition, funding for administrative costs, such as phone bills, internet service, mileage, office supplies, accounting, insurance, and computer equipment is always needed. Our administrative costs are very low, as we pay no rent or utilities thanks to the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades.
It would be also wonderful if one day we maid enough to provide health insurance to our employees. We need to stay intact after all Hurricane Wilma victims are helped with a skeleton crew to continue to provide Hurricane Awareness and Prevention as well as to provide assistance to small scale disasters such as flooding and house fires. Furthermore, we want to be ready to respond should another major disaster affect our area.
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