Best Post-Katrina-Evacuee Service Providers

Austin's Social Services Net

Long after the terrible aftermath of Hurricane Katrina – and, to a much lesser extent, Rita – faded from media headlines, several organizations in Austin continued working to provide social services to the area’s thousands of evacuees in need. The following is a by-no-means-exhaustive list of organizations still serving area evacuees. Advocacy Inc. provides information, referral, and some case-management services to hurricane evacuees with disabilities. Austin Area Urban League offers help with job placement, computer classes, obtaining personal documents, the FEMA’s housing program recertification process, medical referrals, and transportation to and from interviews, business errands, and doctor appointments. Caritas of Austin focuses on helping Katrina and Rita survivors with “stability planning” through financial assistance and case management services. Community Action Development and Assistance provides up-in-the-air evacuees with housing relocation and placement assistance. CADA also offers referral services to evacuees with special needs. Foundation Communities provides approximately 170 hurricane-evacuee households with information, referral, and case-management services, as well as financial assistance. Samaritan Counseling Center provides individual, group, and couples counseling for hurricane evacuees and their caretakers. Texas Interagency Interfaith Disaster Response provides case-management and referral services to evacuees, as well as acts as a services coordinator and communications hub for various local social-service providers. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid: “We are still establishing FEMA eligibility. We are now fighting evictions with our housing team, getting social security benefits, handling family law issues, and fighting recoupments of FEMA funds,” said attorney Heather Godwin. Texas Workforce Commission provides assistance in job-searching, career counseling/assessment, and résumé prep, as well as guidance with unemployment insurance.

Advocacy, Inc.
800/252-9108

Austin Area Urban League
8011-A Cameron #100, 512/478-7176
www.aaul.org

Caritas of Austin
611 Neches, 512/273-7894
caritasofaustin.org/donate-give

Community Action Development and Assistance
512/480-9047

Foundation Communities
3036 S. First #200, 512/447-2026
www.foundcom.org

Samaritan Counseling Center
5425-A Burnet Rd.

Texas Interagency Interfaith Disaster Response
512/458-8848

Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid
611 S. Congress #130, 512/373-1046
www.trla.org

Texas Workforce Commission
512/223-5480
www.workintexas.com