By RICK COUSINS
Correspondent, Galveston News:
Being Specifically-prepared for the next disaster
Sometimes you hear that tackling a particular mission, “takes a village.” But the 4B Disaster Response Network (4B DRN), a non-profit organization formed in response to widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, it was volunteers from some 30 Galveston County churches that launched their efforts.
Since then, the organization has coordinated the work of over 12,000 volunteers from all walks of life, including businesses and schools, not all of them local.
A NEW FACILITY
“Our helpers have served in over 1,800 homes and have totally restored over 500 homes to their pre-disaster condition,” said John Eckeberger, 4B’s Executive Director. “We focus on five types of families impacted by disasters: single parents, senior adults, widows, those with disabilities, and veterans. All repair work is done at zero cost to the homeowners”
Now, 4B will open the doors of a new, one-of-a-kind facility to help.
Why?
“One thing we quickly became aware of as we began to respond to the damage caused by Harvey, was that there were not enough emergency shelters in Galveston County,” Eckeberger said. “So many families continued to live in unsafe and unsanitary conditions because they had no other options for both emergency and long-term housing. We’ve set out to remedy both situations with our new Emergency Shelter and Operations Center here in Texas City.”
A HELPFUL CHURCH
Texas City’s New Life Fellowship Church in Texas City offered the space in which 4B has invested the last four years in repurposing. The result is a 14,000-square-foot structure that is set up to house displaced families. One suitable for up to 100 souls.
“Once shelter residents can return to their homes or make other arrangements, this facility will then house volunteers from outside our area,” he added.
Another feature of this facility is a “stand-alone apartment” onsite that will sleep up to eight family members.
“The purpose of building this special apartment is to provide a safe environment for a single family whose home is under repair,” says Eckeberger. “Rather than having to remain in a mold-ravaged home, we can move a family into this apartment, store their belongings and more quickly work to restore their home.”
FEEDING THOSE IN NEED AFTER A DISASTER
There’s also a large commercial kitchen that can produce some 3,000 hot meals daily for those housed as well as the general public. All of these services will be offered to the public at no cost. Funding comes from local churches, businesses, individuals, and foundations.
