Interfaith Community Services, Serving All of North San Diego County

The 2007 October Firestorms of San Diego County have deeply affected us all and have left thousands of people without the basic necessities of life. Our hearts and doors are open and we want to reassure you that the work of Interfaith Community Services continues to meet these emerging needs.

The following services are available, above and beyond Interfaith’s standard, day-to-day programs:

Interfaith is designating a Full-Time, Bi-lingual Social Worker to work specifically with families and individuals affected by the fires. Beyond ongoing case management and counseling, available assistance includes:

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please contact:

Congregations throughout San Diego County were among those most affected by the recent firestorm, having lost proportionately large numbers of homes to the fires, suffering faith center property damages, and coping with long-term grief in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Many clergy and faith center staff persons found themselves dealing with congregational losses while also working to be a source of support for the community at large; in many instances faith leaders carry out these tasks even while themselves recovering from their own fire-related losses.

Interfaith has partnered with trained grief counselors and psychological professionals of the FEMA-funded group, Wildfire Recovery Project: Firestorm 2007, to not only bring care to those suffering loss and damages due to the fires, but also to those at faith centers who are tending to fire victims. On a monthly basis, Interfaith and the Wildfire Recovery Project will hold Disaster Education Workshops to help the faith community learn how to better assist those affected by the firestorm. Individually, Interfaith’s Faith Liaison and a member from the Wildfire Recovery Project are also available to meet with faith center clergy and staff to assess and assist with each congregation’s emotional and psychological needs.

For more information on what assistance and services are available for all lay, staff, and clergy caring for those who been affected by the fires, please contact:

Interfaith’s Volunteer Coordinator Nusrat Symons is organizing volunteer-staffed fire prevention and relief projects. There is still a particular need for debris cleanup throughout North County, especially for seniors, as they are unable to handle this clean up on their own. Through the Senior Services Department, Minor Home Repair Coordinators will assess these fire needs for seniors, and the Volunteer Coordinator will assign willing volunteers to help clear debris and ash, as well as take preventative measures through light gardening and weeding.

If you know of individuals in need of this assistance or if you would like to learn more about volunteering to provide this form of a clearing / preparatory help, please contact:

Please remain committed to provide support both now and in the upcoming months as more and more families will feel the aftermath of the fire not only in the loss of their homes, but also the loss of employment/income, loss of safety and security, and the need to be comforted as we all work to rebuild our lives and our community.

Donations

Our long-term needs for those affected in North County are:

Donations can be dropped off at both North County sites:

Financial Support

As additional needs arise, cash donations help Interfaith continue to respond to our neighbors’ pleas for help. Please join Interfaith in sharing hope to our neighbors who now have so little by making a donation today.

Nusrat Symons Volunteer Coordinator Interfaith Community Services 760-489-6380 ext. 221 nsymons@interfaithservices.org

Donations

Nusrat Symons
Volunteer Coordinator
Interfaith Community Services
760-489-6380 ext. 221
nsymons@interfaithservices.org