Awake

Portland Actively Awaits Evacuees: More Ways to Help

Update: Oregon on hold, again.

On The Oregonian's Help Blog today, listed are a variety of ways to help, highlights from columnist S. Renee Mitchell's column this morning. From the sound of things, local businesses have really stepped up to help provide for 500 poor and displaced arriving tomorrow from the Gulf Coast. But there's still more to be done.

Here's a few highlights of ways to help: (Check out the Help Blog on for more.)

People who want to meet evacuees at the airport may call Joyce Harris (who works at the organization where I work) at 503-816-3960. Call today, because I think they're arriving Saturday.

Planning and action for the mental health of students and teachers is a huge need:

If you have a clinical license in mental health or are a licensed medical doctor or nurse, call 503-528-5784 and immediately tell the Red Cross about your qualifications. Other volunteers can call the same number, but workers are so overwhelmed, it might take a while to get back to you.

Read more about the situation of students in teachers in affected Southern states in this PDF document from the Center for Mental Health in Schools at UCLA.

Also, here are some free downloadable resources listed in [PDF] About Planning and Action for the Mental Health Needs of Students and School Staff in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina:

• [PDF] What Schools Can Do to Welcome and Meet the Needs of All Students and Families (Guidebook)
• Crisis Assistance and Prevention: Reducing Barriers to Learning
• [PDF] Responding to Crisis at a School (Resource Aid Packet)
• [PDF] Transitions: Turning Risks into Opportunities for Student Support
• Student & Family Assistance Programs & Services to Address Barriers to Learning
• [PDF] Bullying Prevention (Quick Training Aids)
• [PDF] School-Based Client Consultation, Referral, and Management of Care
• [PDF] Volunteers to Help Teachers and Schools Address Barriers to Learning

Haven't heard anything about schools building teaching capacity, although I'm sure it's on the discussion table. This goes for anyone who wants to help in a professional capacity, if the organization/school/business through which you want to assist Katrina victims doesn't already know you exist, then make sure they know who you are and what your qualifications are so that they can call upon you when you are needed. If you want to teach, make sure the district(s) have your application on file, quickest way may be to get on the sub list. If you're already a part of an organization that could potentially help, plan and prepare your organization/company/church, if you haven't already, then communicate that to local paper, the Welcoming Committee in your city, or other organizations that are already helping. By partnering with others already mobilized, your organization may be able to help alleviate some of the burden.

Cash is always welcome. Northwest Medical Teams, as well as many other organizations, accept donations on their Web site . Just make sure you know they're involved—give responsibly.

More Links:

• Folks wrap up early Christmas for evacuees, S. Renee Mitchell, Friday, September 9, 2005
• Help Center Blog

Happy giving.