Superstorm Sandy recovery (Oct 25, 2013 & Jan 31, 2014)
NEWS RELEASE
NYC Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable Presents Handicap Van
To Staten Island Family Devastated by Superstorm Sandy
What: Presentation and Photo Op, Family Interviews – Replacement Handicap Accessible Van. Donated through
the Unmet Needs Roundtable by NYDIS, Convoy of Hope and the United Way of New York City.
When: Friday, October 25, 2013, 3:00pm – 4:00pm.
Where: Client B.S. Residence at 814 Patterson Ave, Staten Island, NY
Why: To mark the one year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS),
administers of the NYC Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable, will be highlighting a unique donation to a deserving
and needy Sandy-impacted family to best illustrate recovery challenges and philanthropic best practices.
Client B.S., an Albanian immigrant, and his family, including two disabled teenage boys, not only suffered major
damage to their home, but their primary mode of transportation, a handicap accessible van, which was completely
destroyed. Having utilized personal resources, insurance reimbursement, FEMA public assistance, and help from
other organizations, the client was able to rebuild his home, but not to replace this critical vehicle. With assistance
from Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) Disaster Case Manager, NYDIS, and other
partners organizations, the family are now receiving the final piece in their recovery and self-sufficiency.
With over 20,000 City families still displaced by Superstorm Sandy, we are happy to celebrate the recovery of the
B.S. family and look forward to helping many others make the journey home.
Contact: Peter Gudaitis, Chief Response Officer, at pgudaitis@nydis.org or o212-669-6100/c917-449-8605
About NYDIS and the NYC Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable
Founded in response to 9/11, New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) is a faith-based federation of more
than 80 service providers and charitable organizations that collaborate to provide disaster readiness, response and
recovery services to New York City. NYDIS received funding from the American Red Cross (ARC), Convoy of
Hope, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, International Orthodox Christian Charities, Islamic Relief USA, Lutheran
Social Services of New York, Metro Baptist Church, the United Way and others to administer the New York City
Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable and to distribute grant dollars through the New York City Unmet Needs Fund.
The Salvation Army has also partnered with NYDIS to directly distribute its own unmet needs funds via the New
York City Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable.
The Unmet Needs Roundtable program is an established long-term recovery resource that customizes assistance
for eligible Sandy clients in need. The New York City Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable was established as a
resource of last resort for eligible residents impacted by Superstorm Sandy throughout New York City’s five
boroughs. It will provide several forms of assistance, including emergency cash grants, sustainable recovery
grants, loans and discounted, tax-free appliances, furniture and building supplies, through a partnership with
Home Depot.
BS Van – Release 10 25 13 – FINAL
NEWS RELEASE
NYC Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable Presents Handicap Vans
To NYC Families Devastated by Superstorm Sandy
What: Presentation and Photo Op – Replacement Handicap Accessible Van Presentation
When: Friday, January 31, 2014, 2:00 pm – 3:00pm
Where: Bussani, 500 Central Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714
Why: To celebrate Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts, New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), administers of the NYC Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable, will be highlighting two unique donations to SuperStorm Sandy-impacted families who lost their handicap vehicles during the flood surge. To demonstrate the challenges related to return to self-sufficiency and to best illustrate philanthropic best practices. The Roundtable and its Disaster Case Management and donor partners will host this event. These two specific vehicles were funded by NYDIS through a grant from the United Way of New York City.
About our Clients
Client O.M., a disabled female, and her husband shares a home with the client’s mother, sister, and brother-in-law. A seven foot surge destroyed the family’s wheelchair ramp, handicap accessible basement, and their primary mode of transportation which the client utilized for transportation to and from work. For the past 16 months, the client has utilized Access-A-Ride. Thankful for this resource, it has not been without challenges. The discomfort of Access-A-Ride exacerbated spinal pain and contributed to the need for several surgeries the past year. The Client received funds from FEMA for transportation assistance, but fell short of the amount needed to replace her vehicle. With assistance from their Disaster Case Manager from Lutheran Social Services of New York and a generous donation from the United Way, Client O.M. and her family are receiving a significant piece in their recovery and self-sufficiency.
Client A.T., her husband and two children survived Sandy but suffered internal and external damage to their home, including the primary living space of Client A.T. who is wheelchair bound and suffers from multiple-sclerosis. Since Sandy, the client’s health condition has progressed. Thanks to assistance from the client’s Disaster Case Manager with SCO Family Services and generous donations from the United Way, the client is receiving a wheel-chair van to provide her with greater mobility and independence as well as funds to complete reconstruction of a wheelchair ramp and install a chair lift.
We are happy to celebrate the recovery of these two families and look forward to helping many others make the journey home.
About NYDIS and the NYC Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable
Founded in response to 9/11, New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) is a faith-based federation of more than 80 service providers and charitable organizations that collaborate to provide disaster readiness, response and recovery services to New York City. NYDIS received funding from the American Red Cross (ARC), Convoy of Hope, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, International Orthodox Christian Charities, Islamic Relief USA, Lutheran Social Services of New York, Metro Baptist Church, the United Way and others to administer the New York City Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable and to distribute grant dollars through the New York City Unmet Needs Fund. The Salvation Army has also partnered with NYDIS to directly distribute its own unmet needs funds via the New York City Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable.
The Unmet Needs Roundtable program is an established long-term recovery resource that customizes assistance for eligible Sandy clients in need. The New York City Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable was established as a resource of last resort for eligible residents impacted by Superstorm Sandy throughout New York City’s five boroughs. It will provide several forms of assistance, including emergency cash grants, sustainable recovery grants, loans and discounted, tax-free appliances, furniture and building supplies, through a partnership with Home Depot.