By Charles Hunter

It has been a few months since the fire in her home so Charlene can look back with some perspective now.  She has a renewed appreciation for organizations like Red Cross and community agencies that reach out to those in need.  While not fully recovered from the effects of the fire, Charlene says, “I feel like I am almost there”.

Charlene and her daughter live in their apartment in Jefferson City, MO. On the evening of the fire her grandson was also visiting.  The fire happened quickly and started in one of the bedrooms.  The fire caused significant damage to the home and contents and would not be livable for the future.

The family gathered outside the home and communicated with firefighters as the fire was being put out.  In a short time, a pastor from a local church approached them and ask Charlene how she was doing and if she would like assistance recovering from the fire.  The pastor contacted Red Cross to provide contact information.  Charlene was amazed saying, “Before we left the scene of the fire that night a person from Red Cross called us to offer assistance”.

Then a Red Cross volunteer came to the place where they were staying.  The volunteer gathered some basic information about the family and their needs.  Red Cross provided some initial funding to assist with immediate short-term needs of the family. Next, the volunteer explained specific local agencies and how they could help with identified needs.  This referral process helped Charlene understand what agencies could provide the help she needed.  She was given a Red Cross case number that she could use with local agencies to validate her need due to the fire.  Charlene said the volunteer, “was so nice and respectful”.

In the next few days, Charlene received a phone call from a Red Cross caseworker.  The caseworker helped her think through her needs and how she was going to meet those needs to build a road to recovery.  Over time Charlene worked with local agencies including Samaritan Center, Salvation Army and Catholic Charities.  The network of support helped the family replace medicines, identification documents, clothing, food, housewares, furniture and find a new apartment.  The Red Cross caseworker continued with weekly phone calls to follow up with the family and help develop recovery plans.  Charlene noted, “You don’t know what to do after a fire, Red Cross and the agencies were there for us”.

Reflecting on these months of recovery Charlene says, “It was hard to go to sleep at first.  It was hard for my daughter too since she did not have her home and personal possessions she was used to.  But now we have a new home and I have started a new job.  Please tell Red Cross that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love them”.