Louisiana has been hit by several severe storms this year and many people from around the country have flown there to help clean up damages, including the Utah State Center for Community Engagement.
“So we're part of the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team. We're a group of AmeriCorps programs that are able to respond after there are natural disasters in the U.S. And basically, we send teams to the affected areas to help out survivors with muck and gut debris removal, getting rid of trees that are down chainsaws, tarping rows, collecting donations, and mobilizing volunteers,” said Sean Damitz, the program director for USU Community Engagement.
He said their three permanent staff members have already been flown down to Louisiana to help.
Damitz said that the pandemic has caused some issues for organizing disaster relief efforts.
“Now that includes having basically a big facility to ourselves with members right now, where we can have everybody spaced apart, legitimately, when they're coming back from the projects at night. So just a little bit more planning and preparation, because there's, you know, regular disaster response,” he said.
Damitz urges those who can to volunteer.
“So right now we're actively recruiting for those AmeriCorps positions. So if you know anyone that wants to ship out to Louisiana to Florida, to help folks kind of get back on their feet that we're looking for a few good hands right now. And just really appreciate the folks that have already kind of signed up and got their hands dirty. It's really good. important work for fellow Americans in need,” said Damitz.
