Organization Helping Families Recover From May 22nd Tornado
By: Drew Moore
Updated: June 18, 2012
Human Services Campus Director Kellee Shepherd has worked with Isbell, and other tornado survivors get back on their feet. "We want to reach everybody and making sure that their still doing fine." Shepherd says. "And help them get back to a new normal for themselves." The center, located in the temporary housing facility has helped more than 1,000 in the past three months. At the campus, Shepherd can connect survivors with more than 40 agencies to help people recover, and not just those in temporary housing.
The group's hard work is paying off. Shepherd say 500 families were living in housing when they first opened the doors. Now, that number is under 300 she says. Isbell says block parties like the one offered by the center tonight, help ease the stress on her, and her two grandchildren. But, she says, it's time for her life to start moving forward again. "I feel like life sometimes kind of stops out here." Isbell says about living in the temporary housing. "Because you know that you have to leave, sooner or later. So it's time to get back to life."
The money to fund the campus came from a F.E.M.A. grant which is due to expire at the end of October. The deadline for all residents living in the temporary facilities to move out is November 7th.
