Bucks Mont Katrina Relief Project

Pearlington Needs Assessment Summary Report

By Connie Hoe, M.S.W, Crystal Lucas, B.A., and Namhee Yun, M.S.W

University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice – Feldman Initiative

With appreciation for the support provided by the Pearlington Recovery Center

As requested by the Pearlington Recovery Center (PRC), student volunteers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice conducted a door-to-door survey to assess the demographics, degree of recovery, future evacuation plans and unmet needs of the community. The purpose of this project is two-fold: to improve the service delivery of PRC and to rebuild the mental health system of Hancock County.

Methodology
Overview
A non-experimental research design was used for this project. Qualitative data were obtained through face-to-face interviews with the residents of the Pearlington community. A convenience sample of forty-seven (N = 47) households participated in this project. Informants were selected based on their availability as well as location (most resided in the Map 1 area of Pearlington).

Challenges
The project faced numerous challenges including time constraint, limited transportation, and stigma associated with self reporting of mental health problems. Some questions, for example, were left unanswered due to insufficient time.

Despite these difficulties, the study does enhance our understanding about the unmet needs of Pearlington, Mississippi.

Findings
Demographics
• Based on the surveyed households, there is a high proportion of children and youth in the community (32%) as compared to the national average of 24.8% (U.S. Census, 2006).
• Based on the surveyed households, there are high rates of disability and medical needs in the community (65.1%).

Housing Needs
• More than half of the surveyed individuals are still living in FEMA trailers. Almost a quarter of those living in the FEMA trailers have not been able to rebuild or secure a building permit. Reasons included the lack of property, funding, or case manager who can help navigate the system, and the inability to meet the requirements for rebuilding. Most of the residents who are rebuilding do not have sufficient funds to complete the process.
• Most of the surveyed households have working septic and water systems. However, some have wells that have not been tested or are contaminated.
• More than a quarter of the surveyed households do not have an evacuation plan. Some also need transportation to evacuate.
• Immediate needs of surveyed households included space, food, dental care as well as various other housing needs.

Social Service Needs
• Children and Youth services. Of the 37 respondents, 27 (73 %) were concerned about the lack of activities for children and youth in the community. Although this has been an on-going need, Hurricane Katrina exacerbated the situation by destroying the schools in Pearlington. Children and youth are currently bussed to schools in other area and, therefore, lack transportation to participate in after school activities. Residents would like to see affordable day care centers, after school programs (i.e. Boys and Girls Club), and/or teen centers in Pearlington. They would prefer that these programs offer not only recreational activities but also educational services such as college preparation and/or job training. Some of the adult males in the community also expressed interest in mentoring the children and youth.
• Seniors services that include transportation. Of the 37 respondents, 13 (35.1 %) mentioned the need for senior services. They would like to see a senior center in the community that would provide both recreational activities as well as transportation for the elderly population to get around.
• Mental Health Services. Of the 25 respondents, 18 (72 %) believed that their stress levels have increased since the storm. Many lacked proper self-care techniques, some would like to have someone to talk to, and a few expressed feelings of depression. Only 6 out of the 37 respondents (16.2 %), however, identified mental health care as a need in the community. This may be due to the stigma, negative beliefs, and prejudice associated with mental health. Residents who did identify mental health care as a need would like to see counseling programs as well as grief and loss support groups.

Non-Social Service Needs
• Postal Services. Of the 37 respondents, 13 (35.1 %) mentioned the need to reestablish the postal services in the community. Although a few of the residents have P.O. Boxes in Pearlington, most travel to the Bay St. Louis/Waveland area to pick up their mail.
• Community Center. Of the 37 respondents, 6 (16.2%) of the respondents would like to see a community center in Pearlington. Some recommended holding town hall meetings and incorporating youth and senior services in this center.
• Employment Opportunities and/or Services. Of the 37 respondents, 4 (10.8 %) are concerned about the lack of employment opportunities and/or services in the community. Many believe that this is the underlying issue of the many problems in Pearlington. One informant said that “the community is sinking because there are no job opportunities.”
• Schools. Of the 37 respondents, 4 (10.8 %) are interested in getting the schools back into the community. Currently, children and youth are bused to schools in other areas such as Lakeshore. Not only are these trips time consuming (about forty minutes to an hour) but many children and youth are no longer able to participate in after school activities.
• Others. Other services that were mentioned at least once but no more than three times included: grocery stores, playground/park, law enforcement, services for the disabled, water and sewage, newspaper delivery services (i.e. Sun Herald), a permanent library, community needs assessments and community clean up/dumpster services.

Health Service Needs
• Medical. Over 63 % of all respondents have medical needs in their families. The most prevalent medical conditions are: hypertension, heart problems, diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, and knee and back problems.
• Dental. Informants identified distance as well as affordability as the biggest hindrances to receiving dental care.
• Public Health.
o Informants mentioned that, since Katrina, the water in Pearlington has been “browner and smellier” than it used to be. Most residents purchase bottled water and do not drink from their wells.
o The insect population has increased in the area.
o Almost every informant discussed about the malodorous mud that was left in the community after the Hurricane. Some are convinced that the mud came from the sewages of Louisiana, but no one is certain. Unfortunately, this mud has been covered and not removed from the community.
o There is a growing concern about the elevated levels of formaldehyde in the FEMA trailers. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency considers formaldehyde to be carcinogenic to animals and potentially human.

Other Needs/Concerns
• Lack of Community Cohesion. Informants believed that the community grew closer immediately following the storm. This cohesion was brought about by the fact that everyone was in equal need. Although a few of the respondents considered this closeness to still exist, most believed that the community has grown apart since the storm and are concerned about the lack of collaboration amongst organizations including faith-based organizations.
• Need for Outreach and Information Dissemination. Some informants felt that there is a lack of outreach and information dissemination based on their experience. Many are unclear about the laws and regulations for rebuilding as well as services and resources available to the community.

IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS
With consideration to our findings and feedback from service providers as well as the community, the student team will present some of the following projects to the University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice as recommendations for future implementation. The projects are separated into two categories. The first are initiatives that can be developed through the School of Social Policy & Practice. The second sets of projects are initiatives that we will propose to other schools in the University.

• School of Social Policy & Practice Initiatives
For Pearlington:
„« Pearlington Community/Health Day
o Provide mental health public awareness, health and dental screenings as well as information and social service information
„« Pearlington Community Mental Health & Health Outreach
o Visit Pearlington residents with social work, dental, and medical students
„« Human Resources for Pearlington Recovery Center
o Provide PRC with graduate students who have case management and grant writing experience, assist in recording and documenting data to help relieve paperwork demands and/or continue community canvassing and surveying to achieve numbers necessary to apply for Township status.
For Hancock County
„« Caring for Caregivers Project
o Inspire awareness about organizational trauma and provide counseling, support services as well as workshops for caregivers
„« Children’s Mental Health Project
o Visit elementary and high schools with social work, dental and medical students
„« FEMA Trailer Park Health & Mental Health Project
o Visit FEMA Trailer Parks with social work, dental, and medical students

• University of Pennsylvania at Large Initiatives

„« School of Dentistry – Preventative Care Project
o Provide dental screening, information as well as other preventative services
„« School of Law and School of Social Policy – Advocacy Project
o Investigate strategies for re-establishing local services and system
„« School of Medicine and School of Nursing – Preventative Care Project
o Provide health screening, information as well as other preventative services
„« Public Health Program – Public Health Assessment Project
o Investigate and assess public health consequences of Katrina Disaster
„« Wharton School of Business – Small Business Development Project & Volunteer
Marketing Plan
o Canvas and realize opportunities for economic rebuilding and small business mobilization
o Develop a volunteer marketing plan for social service providers

As residents of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, we're involved in several relief projects at once. See below.
	Food pantry going up in Hancock County By KATE WILCOX The Intelligencer After Hurricane Katrina hit, the Hancock County Food Pantry, like many along Mississippi's Gulf Coast, found itself without a home. The food pantry in Mississippi serves 1,500 people and 500 families each month in a county of 400,000 residents. As part of the ongoing Bucks-Mont Katrina Relief Project, 19 firms affiliated with the Associated Builders and Contractors of Southeast Pennsylvania received the go-ahead this week to begin building a 30,000-square-foot building for the food pantry. Last year, some of the same people helped build the $1.25 million Hancock County Child Development Center. “Shortly thereafter they said to us, do you know what we really need?” said Jon Otto, president of Penn Valley Constructors and project manager for the food shelter construction. “They really need a food pantry. Many of them are struggling mightily and the food pantry is a well-established organization down there.” Otto is also a director of the Bucks-Mont Katrina Relief Project and chairman of its construction committee. And the construction project was approved just in time. The pantry is currently operating out of a warehouse and the land that it is on is for sale. “We need it done badly, I don't know where we're going to go,” said Bill Blaisdell, the executive director of the Bay St. Louis food pantry. “It's the work of the Lord. Every time we turn around there's another problem, but it always gets solved.” Every aspect of the project has been volunteer-based. The rendering design was donated by Dennis Wise Design and Illustration in New Hope. Materials and labor were donated by local businesses. The Bucks Mont community also gave donations totaling $280,000; another $20,000 is still needed to complete the project. Otto hopes to have the entire building finished by October. Steve Bielecki, owner of R&S General Contractors Inc. in Bristol, is shipping the concrete and steel that he donated this week. On Sunday, he and five workers are heading down to begin construction. “It's amazing that three years later you can still see right through some of the buildings,” he said. “It's devastating. When I went down last week, people there were so thankful. It gives you a great feeling.” “I see progress every time I go,” said Otto. “It's been, quite frankly, an incredible opportunity for me to use my connections and situation in life to help other people.” While the new building is under construction, the pantry's main focus is the rising cost of food. They spend $15,000 to $17,000 a month on food and rely mostly on out-of-area donations. “People just stepped up and helped out,” said Otto. “And invariably I would go down to thank the men and they would say; no Jon, thank you for letting us come down here and help.”
	A helping hand, an appreciated "thank you," and a message of hope YOU READ THE STORIES about how so many Gulf Coast victims of devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005 are still struggling to survive day to day. You see the pictures of almost 3-year-old destruction that has yet to be addressed. And you have to wonder how such could be the case in the greatest, richest nation in the world. But there are silver linings in the dark cloud that continues to hang over too much of Louisiana and Mississippi. And one of the sources of that silver is the Bucks-Mont Katrina Relief Project, a group of concerned local individuals, businesses and organizations put together to make a simple yet profound statement: We care, and we’re going to do something about it. To date, the group has raised about $3 million in cash, gifts and in-kind services to aid and comfort the residents of one specific area of the hurricane-ravaged coastal region, Hancock County, Miss. The project spent well over a million dollars to build a child development center in the Mississippi county and is working on a new food pantry and an animal center for abandoned pets. The group has even taken its act on the road as it were, with Bucks-Mont residents traveling to the Deep South to help build homes, interact with storm victims and, most importantly, impart a spirit of hope. The Bucks-Mont Katrina Relief Project was the brainchild of three community leaders: Doylestown attorney Bill Eastburn; Bob Byers Sr., founder of Byers’ Choice; and Mike Scobey, chief operating officer of the print division of Calkins Media Inc. They worked with the Salvation Army and helped organize their own army of Bucks and Montgomery County residents and businessmen. Sadly, Mr. Eastburn passed away in March. Yet while his physical presence is sorely missed, the concern that prompted his heavy involvement in the project is hardly diminished and was on display over the June 19-21weekend when some Mississippi residents visited Bucks County to personally express their thanks. Our own brand of “Northern hospitality,” with our Southern friends as guests of honor, included a concert, tours of area historic sites and a lawn party hosted by The Intelligencer. The Bucks-Mont Katrina Relief Project has attracted national attention and offers a model for this and future disaster relief efforts. It has demonstrated that the most important factors in this vital work are a sense of concern and a desire to help those in need. Because of what we here in southeastern Pennsylvania have been able to do, people living in Hancock County, Miss., have been given the opportunity to resurrect their lives after the horrors of three years ago. Everyone who had any part in the relief project should know they have done a very good thing.
	A Special Weekend of Music, Friends and Appreciation Presented by BucksMont Katrina Relief Project & Hancock County Communities to the Volunteers, Supporters and Donors to the Rebuilding Efforts in Mississippi Mississippi Voices Saturday, June 21 7:30 – 10:00 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church North Main and Spruce Streets (301 N. Main St.), Doylestown 7:30 Awards Presentation Hancock County business and community leaders honor seven BMKP luminaries who have been instrumental in the rebuilding efforts of the past three years. 8:00 FREE Concert Mississippi’s Coast Chorale presents “Mississippi, Mud & Music” a concert of appreciation to volunteers, donors and supporters. The Chorale’s visual and musical gift to BMKP includes participation in two selections by the Bucks County Choral Society, principal organization behind the visit and musical host for the guest Chorale. 9:00 Dessert Reception Hosted by St. Paul’s parishioners The concert is free; however, it is necessary reserve a seat by June 17 since space is limited. Leave a message at 215.949.4046 or email Concert@phillyburbs.com with your name, phone number and number attending. BMKP Lawn Party Sunday, June 22 6:00 – 8:00 The Intelligencer 333 N. Broad Street, Doylestown Mississippi Gumbo & Bucks County Pig Roast Hosted by Mike Scobey and Carol Shapcott of The Intelligencer and “Gumbo King” Tom Kidd of Mississippi Pennsylvania founder William Penn and a Dixieland band are on the program. The lawn party is free, but please reserve a spot by June 17. Phone Matt at 215.345.3064 or email LawnParty@phillyburbs.com with your name, phone number and number attending. Among the Bucks-Mont sponsors for the weekend events are The Intelligencer, Bucks County Commissioners, law firms of Eastburn & Gray and Mellon Webster & Shelly, Connie Eastburn (Mrs. William Eastburn III), William Eastburn Design, Bob & Joyce Byers, Grover & Sally Friend, Peddler’s Village, Bucks County Bar Association and BucksMont Katrina Relief Project. Other generous support comes from Bucks County Choral Society, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, The Nevermore Hotel, The Salvation Army, Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau and Phillips’ Fine Wines.
	Walking on Water Arts from the Bayou Benefit for Katrina Relief Art Show & Sale ◦ May 2-31, 2008 Gulf Coast Art Comes to Bucks Before Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, Hancock County’s artists drew the kind of recognition that central Bucks County’s New Hope arts community has enjoyed. Since the storm—which destroyed art work, materials and studios along with homes, jobs and lives—the throngs of visitors who would purchase their artwork have not returned. So members of the Historical Preservation and Special Events committees of BMKP decided to do something about that. Walking on Water, a juried art show and sale scheduled for this May, is BMKP’s special effort to reach out to the Hancock County arts community. Inviting 20 of the Gulf Coast community’s talented professionals to bring or send their fine works in various media north to Bucks County, the organizers intend to provide their special guests with a market for their work. Knowing Bucks County’s enthusiasm for fine art, they’re sure to find appreciative buyers. At the same time, the artists will donate a percentage of their sales to the BMKP Food Pantry building project, making this a partnership where all gain. Juried Show & Sale Opening Wine and Cheese Reception Doylestown’s First Friday, May 2 at Mixed Media Gallery — 323 S. Main Street Sabine Rose Gallery — 120 S. Main Street FREE Admission to opening, show & sale Fine art in various media by 20 gifted Gulf Coast artists Four locations through May: Mixed Media Gallery — 323 S. Main Street, Doylestown Sabine Rose Gallery — 120 S. Main Street, Doylestown Keller Williams Real Estate — 2003 S. Easton Road, Commerce Center Golden Plough Inn & Chaddsford Winery — Peddler’s Village, Lahaska INFO: 267.893.6940 Thanks to our sponsors: Bob & Joyce Byers Fred Koenig Memorable Affairs Catering Sean Newman, Wachovia Securities Pineapple Antiques Nancy & Orland Bergère Stone-Glidden Inc. High Performance Home Systems with public relations, logo design & printing courtesies by Anne Biggs Inc., The Graphic Edge Inc., Graphic Energiez
	Young Authors Day: BOOKS FOR THE BAYOU PROJECT After hurricane Katrina swept across the Mississippi Gulf coast, the Bucks-Mont Katrina Relief Project/Education Committee looked for a way to bring a bit of sunshine to the children of Bay St. Louis Waveland School District. The committee discussed various projects that would connect the school children from both areas. Most of the school districts in Bucks and Montgomery counties celebrate a Young Author’s Day in the elementary schools. This is a special day when a children’s author visits with the children and gives a talk concerning how to write and/or illustrate a book. The Education Committee decided to develop a Young Author’s Day as an enrichment project that would connect the children from the two areas. The goal of the project was to support the elementary schools in Bay St. Louis Waveland by providing the students with enrichment activities through their interaction with a children’s author. Bay St. Louis Waveland School District consists of three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. The project was aimed toward the elementary schools and the 740 children attending them. North Bay Elementary School and Waveland Elementary School, house kindergarten through third grade, while Second Street Elementary School houses grades four and five. With the help of Ellen Mager, owner of Booktenders Secret Garden, a children’s bookstore in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, the committee secured well-known author/illustrator, Will Hillenbrand, as the speaker for Bay-Waveland’s Young Author’s Day. Ellen helped the committee purchase at a discount one of the author’s books for each of the children in the school district. Kindergarten and first grade children received an autographed copy of Down by the Station; the second and third grade children received an autographed copy of Kiss the Cow, and the fourth and fifth grade children received an autographed copy of Look Out Jack, the Giant’s Back. The children prepared for the author’s visit by immersing themselves in the author’s many and varied works with the help of their teachers, the school librarians, the Hancock County Library System and the local bookstore. The children were also able to use the extensive website of Will Hillenbrand to prepare for his visit. The author’s works were displayed, read and distributed for the children to become familiar with and to enjoy. Will Hillenbrand presented his program to the children of Bay St. Louis on April 8, 2008. His focus was on the process of creating a book, sharing with the children the steps he takes from “idea” journal entries and initial sketches to the creation of the final artwork. The children identify with the author’s struggles and accomplishments and gain confidence in their own expression as competent creative people. Vikki Wescovich, Director of Federal Programs for the school district, said the program was, “Fantastic. The students and teachers LOVED it. Mr. Hillenbrand was so nice and kept the students attention captured!” Mo Gatto, from Bucks County, BMKRP Coordinator in Bay St. Louis, said, “Will was excellent with the children. His presentations were well thought out and presented.” The children thoroughly enjoyed interacting with Mr. Hillenbrand. They left his talk inspired and geared up to create their own work and with a passion and joy for books. Many groups helped the Education Committee cover the cost of Will Hillenbrand’s visit and the purchase of the books for the 740 children of Bay Waveland School District. The goal of the Education Committee was to connect the children of Bucks County with the children of Bay St. Louis. One group that helped the committee accomplish this goal was Bucks County Reading Olympics. Thousands of elementary school children, middle school and high school young people from across Bucks County helped to purchase Will Hillenbrand’s books for the Young Author’s Day - Books for the Bayou project. The children participated in the Intermediate Unit 22 sponsored Reading Olympics program at Strayer Middle School, Quakertown, PA; William Penn Middle School, Yardley, PA; Bucks County Technical School, Fairless Hills, PA; Mill Creek Elementary School, Warrington, PA; Neshaminy High School, Langhorne, PA and Council Rock High School North, Newtown, PA. There were student volunteers from fourth grade at Mill Creek Elementary School and their high school Honor Society helpers from Central Bucks West High School and Strayer Middle School Reading Olympics eight grade volunteers with their Honor Society helpers from Quakertown High School. Service Club members and energetic volunteers at all the various sites helped collect donations in the Books for the Bayou buckets collecting over $2,600.00. Donations were also received from: Cold Spring Elementary School Home School Association and Jamison School’s Helping Hands in the Central Bucks School District. The children of Doyle Elementary School, in the Central Bucks School District, held a Penny Drive to help purchase books for the children. Our Bucks County young people reached out with generosity to the children of Bay St. Louis and Waveland, Mississippi. The Doylestown Business Community Association Shop Local Dine Local celebrated Read Across America, March 3, 2008, to honor the memory of Barbara Dommel, David Frame and Milton Rutherford, noted Doylestown merchants, with all proceeds going toward Young Author’s Day: Books For The Bayou. Ellen Mager, owner of Booktenders Secret Garden, helped the Education Committee purchase the 740 books at a discount rate and very generously paid for the shipping cost to have the books sent to Mississippi. Ruth Thompson, a resident of Bay St. Louis, took care of Mr. Hillenbrand’s lodging during his stay in Bay St. Louis. The employees of Adams-Bickel Associates, Inc. Builders, of Collegeville, PA, and their President, Gus Perea, provided a generous donation toward our effort. Generous donations were also received from the Central Bucks Education Association and from Bill Eastburn Memorial gifts. Kay Gough, owner of Bay Books in Bay St. Louis, provided each of the children with a bookmark as a gift and reminder of Will Hillenbrand’s visit. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: David Gondak or Nancy Gondak Education Committee Bucks Mont Katrina Relief Project 215-345-7355
	BucksMont gift-giving defines generous nature of Christmas season I cannot recall the first time I heard that the spirit of Christmas was in giving, not receiving. It was most likely at a tender young age. Throughout my life I have tried to live by those words, but not until Christmas 2007 did I truly experience their full meaning. As Mississippi Coordinator for the Bucks Mont Katrina Relief Project, I had the pleasure of facilitating this year’s Christmas program and observing first hand, the extraordinary generosity that bridges two communities, 1250 miles apart. The miles are significant because the distance meant gift giving logistics would be complicated, expensive and time sensitive. All of these factors tend to lessen donor response to a Christmas season urge to contribute. Not so with BucksMont donors who can always be relied upon to step up when their friends in Hancock County, Mississippi are in need. For the uninitiated, the BucksMont Katrina Relief Project was created in September 2005 in response to Hurricane Katrina when the three co-founders and other representatives from Bucks and Montgomery Counties, Pennsylvania traveled to Mississippi to determine how they could best participate in disaster relief efforts. From that point, contributions and assistance of almost every nature has found its way from PA to MA under the umbrella of the BucksMont organization. The connection between these two communities has become legendary. The 2007 Christmas gift giving program selected was the Hancock County Salvation Army “Angel List”. In short, it involved matching a child with a sponsor. The sponsor received a coded gift tag bearing the child’s clothing sizes and a single toy wish. Sponsors made gift purchases and mailed them to headquarters for sorting and distribution. I was fortunate to be a part of all facets of the program. Pictures to follow show the course of events. It was absolutely thrilling to see the packages arrive from PA. Some cartons were enormous, transporting such things as tricycles and doll houses. Several sponsors contacted me and requested I make local purchases on their behalf, which I was happy to do. My apartment became Santa’s workshop as I assembled bikes and collected toys and gifts. Meanwhile, back at headquarters, the sorting/coding process was grueling work that involved 14 hour days. But for me, it was truly a labor of love. The distribution was remarkably organized and clearly the highlight event. It was easy to imagine the children’s faces on Christmas morning just from seeing the excitement of the parents and guardians who came to retrieve the gifts. Some were tearful as they expressed their gratitude for lifting a burden from them during this financially challenging post Katrina time. All told, 148 “Angels” were sponsored. Additionally, $2,500 was donated to the program to be used to cover any last minute purchases that might be needed so no child would come up short. Several people contacted me to request a more personal Christmas match. One donor gifted new furniture sufficient to furnish an entire home. Another donor generously fulfilled the wish list of a family of six including a 7 foot tree and cheery decorations for their just completed house. Some chose Christmas as a time to remember those they had met through home building projects. In addition to “Angel” packages, one sponsor sent a $750 check to be used “as needed”. As in years past, gifts were provided to teachers at Holy Trinity School in Bay Saint Louis. I left Mississippi to join my family for the holidays bubbling with Christmas joy. It came not from the gift giving experience per se, but from knowing what I was doing was truly uniting lives. I wish I could have somehow captured the essence, boxed it up and placed it under every participant’s Christmas tree. I am eternally grateful to all who contributed. Your generosity made Christmas morning special for many children and families. Resurrect that moment during 2008 when your heart could use a smile. · Mo Gatto
	Bucks Mont Katrina Relief Project: Food Pantry Project 1. Land has been donated by Hancock County. The site is approximately 1 acre. 2. Our liaisons with the Food Pantry Board approved the plan revisions. We have distributed the approved architectural plan and architectural site plans to the professionals who will be preparing the remaining plans a. Site plans: Gilmore and Assoc. b. Structural plans: Leonard Busch and Associates c. Architectural plans: Steven C. Tiberio d. HVAC: Good Air Conditioning e. Electric: Dayspring Electric f. Plumbing we are choosing between 2 offers 3. At their meeting of December 3, 2007 the Hancock County Supervisors approved performing the site work based on the budget of +/- $200,000, which was submitted to them by us in November. This cost is a strain on the county and if we can help it will be appreciated. 4. Our budgeted cost for the building after gifts in specific gifts in kind is $250,000. Those gifts include the design work and all of the concrete. 5. Contributions to date total just over $100,000. So we need nearly $150,000 in order avoid needing to draw on the the general fund. 20 contractors and individuals who participated in the Daycare Center have pledged their assistance to the project at undetermined levels. Their gifts will amount to a significant portion of the balance. 6. The actual start date for the project is still undetermined. Best guess at this time is March/April
	Crazy Lawyer Team - At It Again By Mo Gatto The great state of Mississippi welcomed back the crazy Bucks County lawyers...et al... for another week of grueling work and wild adventures. Central headquarters this trip was the Pearlington Recovery Center. It brought new meaning to the terms “primative accommodations” and “mystery meals”. Unfairly, the core group of gals who decided to stay one last time at the EOC wowed us each morning with tales of flush toilets and hot showers. Most intriguing about meals was how the same food declined at the Mission Church soup kitchen at lunch miraculously appeared on the dinner menu at the Center one day later. Fortunately, the resourceful were able to maintain a nutritious, balanced diet by partaking daily of fried pickles at the Turtle Landing. Work assignments were remarkably well matched to skills this time around. There were five major centers of activity - a new home build under GC Gary Mast; taping, mudding and sanding Ike’s house (the home we framed in April) directed by Michael “Sandy” Vander Zwan; Food Pantry duty lead by the EOC gals (who also displayed outstanding leadership and resilience in angel sponsorship and gift shopping); the Letlow home, a handyman/woman special; and the Miller house, site of the disappearing scissors starring Carol McCoy and ladder balancing act featuring Tom Mellon. We were blessed with great weather, no emergency room visits and amazing stamina, especially on those “mornings after” which came way to close to those “nights before”. Honorable mention must go to Larry Randall from the Pearlington Recovery Center who kept the building supplies and ladders coming while keeping a watchful eye on the needs, quality of work and happenings at all the project sites. We think he praised our work and had some humorous things to say but no one knows for sure because we only caught half of what he actually said through that thick Southern drawl. At the construction project, the ever present homeowner’s father, “ Nick”, with his unassuming manner, tireless assistance and palpable gratitude every step of the way, was an inspiration. Special thanks goes out to the newcomers to our trip who showed remarkable restraint through repeated war stories of prior trips and who brought new skills, energy and perspective. Accomplishments this trip included tiling two bathrooms (despite the ever present four little ones “helping out”), roof finishing and exterior structure repairs, insulation installation, drywall placement, mudding and tapping, painting, closet finishing, food pantry stocking and distribution assistance, and once again a new build framing project. Further recognition is given to those who gave of themselves in New Orleans (you know who you are!) and for team contributions made at the Broke Spoke and Island Casino. Sorely missed were past participants unable to return this time, especially Rhetta Vander Ploeg and John Hart, veterans of all three previous trips. Tom Mellon promises a fifth and likely final trip will be scheduled for April 2008. Rumor has it the RV boys are in. The Pearlington Recovery Center reports room service and nightly entertainment should be in place by Spring. TRIP PARTICIPANTS: Rosemary Arnold, Darlene Davis, Bob Ebert, Dan Egbert, Jim Egbert, Connie Hoe, Jodi Isenberg, Anne Kaprinski, David Leslie-Hughes, Judy Linquist, Dan Markgraf, Gary Mast, Mariann McCormick, Carol McCoy, Tom Mellon III, Tom Mellon, Patrick Milberger, Chuck Schankenberger, Nancy Shvanda, Nancy Taylor, Michael Vander Zwan, George Wozar.
	Pearlington Needs Assessment Summary Report By Connie Hoe, M.S.W, Crystal Lucas, B.A., and Namhee Yun, M.S.W University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice – Feldman Initiative With appreciation for the support provided by the Pearlington Recovery Center As requested by the Pearlington Recovery Center (PRC), student volunteers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice conducted a door-to-door survey to assess the demographics, degree of recovery, future evacuation plans and unmet needs of the community. The purpose of this project is two-fold: to improve the service delivery of PRC and to rebuild the mental health system of Hancock County. Methodology Overview A non-experimental research design was used for this project. Qualitative data were obtained through face-to-face interviews with the residents of the Pearlington community. A convenience sample of forty-seven (N = 47) households participated in this project. Informants were selected based on their availability as well as location (most resided in the Map 1 area of Pearlington). Challenges The project faced numerous challenges including time constraint, limited transportation, and stigma associated with self reporting of mental health problems. Some questions, for example, were left unanswered due to insufficient time. Despite these difficulties, the study does enhance our understanding about the unmet needs of Pearlington, Mississippi. Findings Demographics • Based on the surveyed households, there is a high proportion of children and youth in the community (32%) as compared to the national average of 24.8% (U.S. Census, 2006). • Based on the surveyed households, there are high rates of disability and medical needs in the community (65.1%). Housing Needs • More than half of the surveyed individuals are still living in FEMA trailers. Almost a quarter of those living in the FEMA trailers have not been able to rebuild or secure a building permit. Reasons included the lack of property, funding, or case manager who can help navigate the system, and the inability to meet the requirements for rebuilding. Most of the residents who are rebuilding do not have sufficient funds to complete the process. • Most of the surveyed households have working septic and water systems. However, some have wells that have not been tested or are contaminated. • More than a quarter of the surveyed households do not have an evacuation plan. Some also need transportation to evacuate. • Immediate needs of surveyed households included space, food, dental care as well as various other housing needs. Social Service Needs • Children and Youth services. Of the 37 respondents, 27 (73 %) were concerned about the lack of activities for children and youth in the community. Although this has been an on-going need, Hurricane Katrina exacerbated the situation by destroying the schools in Pearlington. Children and youth are currently bussed to schools in other area and, therefore, lack transportation to participate in after school activities. Residents would like to see affordable day care centers, after school programs (i.e. Boys and Girls Club), and/or teen centers in Pearlington. They would prefer that these programs offer not only recreational activities but also educational services such as college preparation and/or job training. Some of the adult males in the community also expressed interest in mentoring the children and youth. • Seniors services that include transportation. Of the 37 respondents, 13 (35.1 %) mentioned the need for senior services. They would like to see a senior center in the community that would provide both recreational activities as well as transportation for the elderly population to get around. • Mental Health Services. Of the 25 respondents, 18 (72 %) believed that their stress levels have increased since the storm. Many lacked proper self-care techniques, some would like to have someone to talk to, and a few expressed feelings of depression. Only 6 out of the 37 respondents (16.2 %), however, identified mental health care as a need in the community. This may be due to the stigma, negative beliefs, and prejudice associated with mental health. Residents who did identify mental health care as a need would like to see counseling programs as well as grief and loss support groups. Non-Social Service Needs • Postal Services. Of the 37 respondents, 13 (35.1 %) mentioned the need to reestablish the postal services in the community. Although a few of the residents have P.O. Boxes in Pearlington, most travel to the Bay St. Louis/Waveland area to pick up their mail. • Community Center. Of the 37 respondents, 6 (16.2%) of the respondents would like to see a community center in Pearlington. Some recommended holding town hall meetings and incorporating youth and senior services in this center. • Employment Opportunities and/or Services. Of the 37 respondents, 4 (10.8 %) are concerned about the lack of employment opportunities and/or services in the community. Many believe that this is the underlying issue of the many problems in Pearlington. One informant said that “the community is sinking because there are no job opportunities.” • Schools. Of the 37 respondents, 4 (10.8 %) are interested in getting the schools back into the community. Currently, children and youth are bused to schools in other areas such as Lakeshore. Not only are these trips time consuming (about forty minutes to an hour) but many children and youth are no longer able to participate in after school activities. • Others. Other services that were mentioned at least once but no more than three times included: grocery stores, playground/park, law enforcement, services for the disabled, water and sewage, newspaper delivery services (i.e. Sun Herald), a permanent library, community needs assessments and community clean up/dumpster services. Health Service Needs • Medical. Over 63 % of all respondents have medical needs in their families. The most prevalent medical conditions are: hypertension, heart problems, diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, and knee and back problems. • Dental. Informants identified distance as well as affordability as the biggest hindrances to receiving dental care. • Public Health. o Informants mentioned that, since Katrina, the water in Pearlington has been “browner and smellier” than it used to be. Most residents purchase bottled water and do not drink from their wells. o The insect population has increased in the area. o Almost every informant discussed about the malodorous mud that was left in the community after the Hurricane. Some are convinced that the mud came from the sewages of Louisiana, but no one is certain. Unfortunately, this mud has been covered and not removed from the community. o There is a growing concern about the elevated levels of formaldehyde in the FEMA trailers. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency considers formaldehyde to be carcinogenic to animals and potentially human. Other Needs/Concerns • Lack of Community Cohesion. Informants believed that the community grew closer immediately following the storm. This cohesion was brought about by the fact that everyone was in equal need. Although a few of the respondents considered this closeness to still exist, most believed that the community has grown apart since the storm and are concerned about the lack of collaboration amongst organizations including faith-based organizations. • Need for Outreach and Information Dissemination. Some informants felt that there is a lack of outreach and information dissemination based on their experience. Many are unclear about the laws and regulations for rebuilding as well as services and resources available to the community. IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS With consideration to our findings and feedback from service providers as well as the community, the student team will present some of the following projects to the University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice as recommendations for future implementation. The projects are separated into two categories. The first are initiatives that can be developed through the School of Social Policy & Practice. The second sets of projects are initiatives that we will propose to other schools in the University. • School of Social Policy & Practice Initiatives For Pearlington: „« Pearlington Community/Health Day o Provide mental health public awareness, health and dental screenings as well as information and social service information „« Pearlington Community Mental Health & Health Outreach o Visit Pearlington residents with social work, dental, and medical students „« Human Resources for Pearlington Recovery Center o Provide PRC with graduate students who have case management and grant writing experience, assist in recording and documenting data to help relieve paperwork demands and/or continue community canvassing and surveying to achieve numbers necessary to apply for Township status. For Hancock County „« Caring for Caregivers Project o Inspire awareness about organizational trauma and provide counseling, support services as well as workshops for caregivers „« Children’s Mental Health Project o Visit elementary and high schools with social work, dental and medical students „« FEMA Trailer Park Health & Mental Health Project o Visit FEMA Trailer Parks with social work, dental, and medical students • University of Pennsylvania at Large Initiatives „« School of Dentistry – Preventative Care Project o Provide dental screening, information as well as other preventative services „« School of Law and School of Social Policy – Advocacy Project o Investigate strategies for re-establishing local services and system „« School of Medicine and School of Nursing – Preventative Care Project o Provide health screening, information as well as other preventative services „« Public Health Program – Public Health Assessment Project o Investigate and assess public health consequences of Katrina Disaster „« Wharton School of Business – Small Business Development Project & Volunteer Marketing Plan o Canvas and realize opportunities for economic rebuilding and small business mobilization o Develop a volunteer marketing plan for social service providers
	Bucks volunteer's life takes unexpected turn By HILARY BENTMAN phillyBurbs.com WAVELAND, Miss. — Bradley Neville came to the Gulf Coast to help those children whose lives had been turned upside down by Hurricane Katrina. But in the midst of it all, his own life took an unexpected turn. Through his school, Bucks County Technical High School, the Fairless Hills resident was helping to build a daycare center in Hancock County, Miss., an undertaking of the Bucks-Mont Katrina Relief Project. The 18-year-old traveled to the area in November with another student to place large, colorful letters of the alphabet on the outside of the building. It was then that Bradley started to feel sick. “I couldn't keep anything down,” he said. “We thought it was just a cold,” said his mom, Melissa Neville. “He would not leave [Mississippi]. He said [the work] is not done.” After the letters were in place, Bradley came home. His cold turned out to be a tumor. Doctors diagnosed the high school senior with lymphoma. Although he is still struggling to regain his health, Bradley and his parents journeyed to Mississippi for Tuesday's dedication of the Hancock County Child Development Center. After all, Bradley has a special bond with the children, who even created a book for him. Each of them picked one of Bradley's letters and had his or her photo taken in front of it. They then included a personalized note to their friend. The project has kept Bradley's spirits high through multiple biopsies, the removal of one of his ribs, and rounds of chemotherapy. The tumor has shrunk 75 percent. “Doctors attribute his miraculous turnaround to all this,” said Melissa, looking around a classroom at the new daycare center. Bradley still has a long road ahead of him — six months of chemo are in store before he can start radiation, which will last another three months. Bradley, who has been out of school because of his treatment and compromised immune system, plans to return to class this month. The school has already graduated him with honors, but he plans to finish the term and walk at commencement with his class. After graduation, Bradley will pursue a career in cabinetmaking or electrical work. And he wants to come back to the Gulf. After all, he still has more work to do. From his own life and the lives of Katrina's victims, he has learned: “There's always an end. You get through it. There's always hope.”
	Katrina victims ready for closeup By ART GENTILE phillyBurbs.com BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. — When Hurricane Katrina roared through the Mississippi coast some 19 months ago, the people of Haycock County soon discovered they had lost more than just their worldly possessions. As the water receded, they realized that a fragile connection to their past had disappeared with their family photographs. Most things are replaceable, but when a picture is gone, it's gone. When Marge Morken, owner of the Palm House, a Bay St. Louis bed and breakfast, was forced to evacuate her home, she looked around and decided that the framed canvas portrait of her extended family that hung in her entranceway was the only thing that mattered enough for her to save. “We took our insurance papers and the picture,” Morken said. “It was the only thing we really cared about.” In August, Rich Kennedy, photo editor of The Intelligencer in Doylestown, the Bucks County Courier Times' sister paper, visited the Gulf Coast area for a one-year anniversary story. He noted how family photographs were some of the most precious possessions ruined by the storm. He came up with an idea to help restore some of the normalcy that the storm had swept away. He figured if there was no way to replace the old memories lost to the surging floodwaters, he could at least create a few new ones. So Kennedy asked two fellow photojournalists — Bill Johnson, the convergence editor at the Courier Times, and myself, a Courier Times staff photographer — to accompany him to the tiny towns of Bay St. Louis and Waveland, Miss., and spend three days taking family portraits of any and all who were interested — at no charge. After a few months of planning, we were off to Mississippi, escaping the Bucks County winter and heading for the balmy Gulf Coast. We carried our movable studio: lights, cameras, printers and computers through the airport down to the St. Rose de Lima Catholic Church community center, where we set up shop. The parish women were busy in the building cooking the next day's fundraising dinner of catfish and potato salad. The sign-up sheets Kennedy had mailed to several local churches were filled with more than 150 signatures of families that wanted to enlist our services. We were thrilled. So were the good people of southern Mississippi, according to Eddie Bradley, pastor of the Faith Assembly Church in nearby Kiln. “Our people are extremely excited that you are still offering your support,” Bradley said of the outside volunteers. “It really sends a message to the community that people still care about us.” We spent the next three days getting to know the people who came through the doors of the community center. They all had kind words. They told us how grateful they were for our goodwill. But it was their stories of adversity during the hurricane that were both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Like the story Diane Frederick told about her terminally ill husband being airlifted to a Florida hospital at the same time their home was being destroyed. He later died of complications. And the story of a couple who adopted two toddlers just a month before their home was destroyed. And there was the woman who brought in three small children whose parents were getting a divorce and couldn't keep any of them because they had no home. In light of everything these folks have been through, you would think that having their pictures taken would rank pretty far down on their list of concerns. We knew we could never replace the originals, but we could help them get a fresh start. And a fresh start is exactly what everyone told us they were looking forward to.
	Bucks Mont lawyers make third trip to Hancock County PHOTO GALLERY By Maureen “Mo” Gatto Mississippi Coordinator Once again, Hancock County welcomed a unique cast of characters with open arms and huge grins. The BucksMont lawyers, including family and friends, have become legendary for their work-hard-play-hard motto. As in past trips, the Emergency Operations Center in Kiln served as base camp. (Purely coincidentally, Kiln is also home to the infamous Broke Spoke). Adjusting to sleeping on cots, cafeteria dining and muddy treks to the showers somehow seemed easier after a long exhausting day in the sun. From the outset, this eclectic group found themselves bonding in still “Mash-like” surroundings. First timers were taught the EOC ropes by the previously initiated ones. This trip, the crew engaged in a wide range of work projects including siding installation, mudding and sanding, painting, active listening at the Senior Center, handyman jobs, food pantry distribution, wallboard hauling and plumbing rough-ins. The centerpiece of the week’s activities was the framing of a Pearlington home, from pilings up. The impressive house team hit the ground early Monday morning armed with energy, power tools and know-how, having tackled their first problem of many...how the heck to get the building materials to the worksite! This challenge was followed by about 75 more, all of which were met head-on with a remarkable “can do” spirit that has become synonymous with post-Katrina recovery. Led by a core team of seasoned house builders, the less experienced (read, totally clueless) quickly learned the knack of driving nails from nearly horizontal positions, lifting 80 pound cement bags (use your knees), climbing studs in a single bound (NEVER enough ladders) and the proper technique for the installation of hurricane straps. Familiar tools of the trade like brief cases, computers and cell phones gave way to work boots, measuring tapes, levels and palm nailers. Whether the task was creating roof trusses from scratch when promised ones did not materialize, finding oneself on an assignment bearing no resemblance to the work order or being fifth in line for the washer, all managed to muddle through the week with a sense of humor, a healthy respect for compromise and a palpable passion to help those still in great need. The lawyers are always a welcome sight to the locals, taking “voluntourism” to new heights. Reportedly, Oldtown Bay Saint Louis shops hit record sales, restaurants stayed open late and liquor profits doubled. The Mockingbird Café made its monthly quota in just days. While it is easy to appreciate the struggle to rebuild homes, perhaps less obvious but equally important to the recovery effort is the restoration of business. By all accounts, the troupe did its part including single handedly keeping Hancock Medical Center in the black with a group record high of four emergency room visits (fortunately, all minor mishaps). The trip came to a close with hugs, a few tears, reunion plans and a prevailing camaraderie that seemed to come from the magic of teamwork that knew no boundaries. Age, race, education, occupation, gender, religion, skills, income level and lifestyle came together into one unit. The week ended with a pride that comes from a sense of accomplishment and the joy that comes from giving. New friendships were created and old relationships renewed. It was a great week all around. Plans are already underway for an October trip. Thanks ya’ll. TRIP PARTICIPANTS Dean Arthur Anne Kasprinski Tom Mellon Meagan Brey Larry Lefkowski Adrian Meyer Tom Carrodus David Leslie-Hughes Carol Meyer Darlene Davis Magee Linton Don Schaller Jim Egbert Gary Mast Jim Schildt Dan Egbert Mariann McCormick Nancy Shvanda John Hart Carol McCoy Nancy Taylor Rhetta VanderPloeg Rick Witt Mo Gatto Bob Mangold Ruthie Witt
	Tilghman Builders first in new effort to rebuild homes The first NARI group (comprised of the staff of Tilghman Builders from Hatboro) just returned the week of Aug. 21. They were able to get three houses that have been sitting idly by to the point where only HVAC hook ups and some minor electrical fixture installation needs to take place in order to get these 3 families back in their homes! That work is supposed to be done within the week by local contractors. The initial feedback from the contractors who went down is that they are blown away by the gratitude of the families they met. I have gotten several calls today telling me about the incredible feeling running through the Tilghman team. Group #2 is heading down on Sept 11th for that week and will be headed up by John Gemmi of Gemmi Construction in Doylestown and is looking for additional skilled help, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, tile installers, etc. If you know someone who would be interested in going and is looking for more information please email or call me at your convenience! Mark Glidden 215-345-4525 mark@stoneglidden.com
	Historic Preservation Committee raises $4,000 for park restoration The Historic Preservation Committee of the Bucks-Mont Katrina Relief Project was formed to preserve or restore, where possible, some of the history of the devastated area of Bay St. Louis and Waveland, Mississippi. The group recently raised $4,000 of its $20,000 goal to preserve the 1896 Lobrano House – home of the Hancock County Historical Society – and to restore Tercentenary Park. The park was dedicated in 1999 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the founding of Bay St. Louis. It was the heart of the community until Katrina. Some students and faculty of Delaware Valley College will assist with the park restoration. A fund-raiser, "Before and After Katrina in Hancock County” by Charles Gray, Hancock County historian, raised $4,000 during a silent auction and wine and cheese event at the Mercer Museum. See photos of Tercentenary Park