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Lou Jander

Lou's Notes

Here's the latest update from Kurt. Thanks for including the hiring of Rev. Thomas Minor in last week's Minister to Minister.

Blessings!

Update on LSS ministries in Louisiana and Lutheran Disaster Response

12.19.05

We are working with authorities on several fronts to ensure that we continue serving those in need in Louisiana. However, like many residents and businesses in the affected area, we are waiting for answers on how, when and where we can build; resolution on our insurance claims and a determination on what additional resources will be available to assist us.

Bethlehem Children's Center and Peace Lake Towers, are located in New Orleans East, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and the breaks in the levees. Much of the infrastructure in that area was heavily damaged or destroyed. The levees are still being repaired, but like many, we are in a holding pattern until authorities determine what that area will look like when it is rebuilt.

Bethlehem Children's Center

Because our roots in Louisiana go back to the creation of the Bethlehem children's ministry in 1881, we are committed to continuing this ministry that spans two centuries. Bethlehem sustained significant damage following Hurricane Katrina. A structural engineer has examined our campus and recommended that we raze most of the structures and start over. Because of the questions about the New Orleans East neighborhood, we are exploring all options, ranging from rebuilding on the existing site to relocating the ministry elsewhere.

In the meantime, we continue to care for the children at our sister center, the Bokenkamp Children's Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The children are attending school and having their physical, emotional and spiritual needs met by an outstanding group of staff and volunteers. By Christmas, we anticipate that we will still have 33 of the original 45 Bethlehem children in our care, with 11 of those who have been discharged going either to their biological families or to foster homes. The fact that they are moving to less-restrictive settings is a testimonial to the extraordinary care they are getting even during this very difficult time.

Peace Lake Towers

Peace Lake Towers, which offered subsidized housing to low-income and disabled seniors, is closed and not accepting applications for residence. In addition to questions about insurance, FEMA and what local and state authorities will permit as New Orleans East is rebuilt, we also are awaiting word from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on what resources are available to reopen this HUD facility. The first floor was heavily damaged by the storm and the upper levels where residents lived have sustained significant wind, rain and mold damage. If that ministry is to reopen in the existing facility, we expect that we will have to gut the entire building before renovating.

Almost all of our residents have gotten in touch with us to let us know that they safely relocated to other communities throughout the country. We have 24-hour security at the facility to protect their belongings. Many Peace Lake residents or their families have returned to try to salvage a few of their belongings and several have asked to be informed when - or if - we reopen the Towers.

Disaster Response

We continue to make progress in creating the infrastructure and system necessary for an effective long-term disaster response effort.

Lutheran Disaster Response is working with six volunteer sites operating out of Atonement Lutheran Church in Metairie, Christ the King in Kenner, Hosanna in Mandeville, Lamb of God in Slidell, Monte de Olivas in Metairie and Peace in Slidell.

Lutheran Pastor Tom Minor, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel with extensive experience in disaster response both in civilian and military settings, has been hired by LSS to help coordinate the long-term disaster response efforts in Louisiana and Texas.

The initial budget during the first seven months is about $2 million, which includes additional emergency assistance and shelter grants; planning for case management services to displaced storm victims who resettle in new locations as well as those who plan to rebuild in the stricken areas; and spiritual and emotional care, including services for caregivers. The budget includes planning for Camp Noah, a day camp for children affected by the storms, and the expenses for the massive rebuilding effort that will soon begin.

As of early December, almost $450,000 has been distributed in emergency hardship grants, more than $40,000 in emergency shelter grants and $138,000 in volunteer coordination and support.

For information on how you can assist with disaster response, please visit the LSS Web site at www.lsss.org and click on Disaster.

We are humbled that God has given us this opportunity to share the good news of His grace by providing help, healing and hope to thousands in this very difficult time. If you need additional information or have questions or concerns about Bethlehem, Peace Lake Towers or the Lutheran Disaster Response efforts, please feel free to contact me at (512) 459-1000 or email me at kurts@lsss.org.

May God continue to bless our partnership, especially in this season of Our Savior's birth.

Dr. Kurt Senske

CEO, Lutheran Social Services

Katherine Kerr

Hurricane Katrina destroyed Bethlehem Children's Center, a ministry of Lutheran Social Services that was started in 1881. It also severely damaged Peace Lake Towers, a community for low-income seniors, in addition to leaving thousands of people homeless. LSS is the lead agency for Lutheran Disaster Response responding to devastation that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita left behind in Texas and Louisiana. Along with your prayers for the victims of these tragedies,  please join LSS in responding to the relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts by going online to www.lsss.org.