LITTLE ROCK, ARK. (July 25, 2019) – Almost two months have passed since the Arkansas River reached historic flood levels, displacing families across the state, but with thousands of homes still needing repairs, volunteers are needed now more than ever to assist with long-term flood recovery.
The Arkansas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ARVOAD) — along with the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church’s Disaster Response team, UMCOR, and other disaster response organizations — is hosting a Long-Term Flood Recovery summit from Tuesday, July 30 – Friday, Aug. 2 in various locations across the state.
Times, dates and locations for each summit event can be found in the schedule below.
The summit is for anyone, individuals or groups, who wants to assist with the long-term recovery support for victims of the Arkansas River flood.
Disaster Response Coordinator Janice Mann said that despite the receding water, many individuals are still dealing with the long-term effects of flood damage in their homes; especially those who were uninsured or underinsured.
“The work is really just beginning through case management coordination, construction support, financial support, and volunteer coordination,” Mann said. “This summit will provide training for any person or group to better understand how to help in all different areas. There is a place for everyone to provide support, whether it is hospitality, filing forms, answering phones, hammering nails, monetary support, organizing local church/civic groups, etc.”
ARVOAD is setting up five different case management groups in the areas most affected by the floodwaters: Fort Smith, Conway, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and Dumas.
“Flood survivors can’t recover without assistance. They need God’s people to empower them to manage their own recovery, so that full-recovery may take place,“ added UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) disaster consultant, Christy Smith.
To register for the summit, email disaster@arumc.org. Lunch will be served, so registrations are helpful.
A schedule of events can be found below.
Southeast AR Recovery Summit
Tuesday, July 30
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Donald W Reynolds Center
211 West 3rd Ave, Pine Bluff, AR
Central AR Recovery Summit
Wednesday, July 31
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
St. James United Methodist Church
Bob Jones Hall (entrance 1,2,3)
321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR
AR/OK River Valley Recovery Summit
Thursday, Aug. 1
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Ben Geren Safe Shelter
7200 Zero St., Fort Smith, AR
Disaster Care Management Training
(For anyone wanting to serve as a disaster case manager)
Friday, Aug. 2
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Wesley UMC
2310 E. Oak St., Conway, AR
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Media Contacts:
Amy Ezell, amy.ezell@arumc.org, 501-324-8030
Caleb Hennington, caleb.hennington@arumc.org, 501-324-8037