Should a hurricane hit Victoria, who should you turn to for help? What organizations can help community members devastated by a storm pick up the pieces and help put their lives and homes back together? In the event of a storm many organizations in Victoria may have to wait for grants or specialized funding in order to be able to assist community members. From the most basic of survival needs to bigger picture recovery efforts, these local nonprofits can help Crossroads residents after a hurricane.
The Victoria Christian Assistance Ministry opened in 1986 to act as a safety net for families and individuals who are experiencing a crisis situation in the Crossroads. Executive Director Marc Hinojosa said their organization can help people meet their most basic needs should a hurricane devastate our community.
“We handle disasters every day, in the aftermath of a hurricane it would be business as usual,” Hinojosa said.
When Hurricane Harvey hit the Crossroads in 2017, Hinojosa said the ministry lost power on Friday and by Monday their doors were open. The ministry now has an emergency generator in order to stay open.
“Despite everything a lot of good came out of Harvey, the community really stepped up,” Hinojosa said.
The Victoria Christian Assistance said during a disaster, they will help anyone who comes to their doors. Most of their donations come from businesses, grants and community members.
After a hurricane the ministry can help provide people with food, water, clothing, toiletries and medical equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, canes and crutches. To homebound and disabled residents, the ministry can deliver essentials to their homes with the help of Crown Hospice.
Hinojosa said he hopes people donate essential items before a hurricane hits so that should a disaster happen, the ministry can respond even quicker. Essential items such as travel sized toiletries, clothing, medical equipment, non-perishable food, cases of water and toilet paper can be dropped off at Victoria Christian Assistance Ministry, 108 N. Liberty St.
The Golden Crescent Long Term Recovery Group was established in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey. It’s a group that focuses on big-picture recovery efforts like home repairs after storm damage. The group specializes in disaster response and recovery.
If a resident’s house experiences damage due to a storm, they can call the Golden Crescent Long Term Recovery Group to work with a case manager to see what can be done in regard to repairs. Then a project manager will come out to the property to asses the damage and then funding for repairs is based on the magnitude of the damage that the property sustained. Villa said pictures of property before a storm can help a case move forward should storm damage happen.
“Our group relies on donations from the community, and our funders in order to help people,” Rick Villa, treasurer for the Golden Crescent Long Term Recovery Group, said.
Businesses and residents can donate materials, such as roof shingles and flooring, to 104 S. William St., or they can donate their time and skills as carpenters or electricians or even just provide manpower Villa said. Monetary donations help the group pay for contractors and permits
“There’s no income barrier, we will help everyone that we can,” Villa said. “We’re often the last stop for people. We often help people who don’t have homeowner’s insurance.”
To apply for assistance or to make a donation, visit https://victorialtrg.org/ or call 361-894-6264 or email victorialtrg@gmail.com.
The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 and their mission has been to help those in need. The Red Cross offers immediate assistance to anyone who needs it in the aftermath of a hurricane.
Before a hurricane even hits, the Red Cross prepares by gathering enough supplies to serve the Coastal Bend region, partnering with churches and schools in the area and communicating with city and county officials. Once a hurricane notice is issued, the Red Cross automatically stands ready to help.
“After a storm hits, we are basically open for business at our shelters,” Vanessa Valdez, a spokesperson with the Red Cross, said.
In the shelters, the Red Cross offers those displaced by the storm cots, three meals a day and comfort kits that contain essentials like toiletries and clothing. The group partners with other nonprofits to provide things such as shower trailers and even laundry services.
Besides their shelters, the Red Cross also helps those who did not evacuate by helping to deliver food and supplies. The Red Cross does offer monetary donations to help residents who are displaced pay for hotel rooms or work with apartment complexes to arrange an extended stay.
“No one is leaving worse or in the same position they came to us in. No one is leaving homeless,” Valdez said.
The Red Cross not only helps people get their physical needs meet, they also offer mental support with trained spiritual volunteers and nurses that can help those with mental illness or those who are needing helping processing the aftermath of the storm.
“It’s hard watching your house, everything you own just get swept away in a storm,” Valdez said.
Valdez encouraged people to have a go-bag prepared in case of a storm with non-perishable food, water, medications and important documents ready to go.
Currently, the Red Cross is in need of volunteers, especially bilingual volunteers in Victoria. To volunteer or make a donation visit www.redcross.org/.