CCDBR’s Ida effort ‘rooted in Catholic message’

Shortly after Hurricane Ida inflicted its carnage on southern Louisiana, the disaster recovery team from Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge was on the streets, providing assistance wherever possible.

Staff members visited every shelter that was established in Baton Rouge, guiding hundreds of displaced individuals and families through the maze of lengthy and often times vexing application process for receiving disaster benefits. CCDBR also staffed several shelters until their closure.

As needs were being met in the Baton Rouge area, CCDBR workers forged a path of relief from Lake Charles to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, where some shelters were literally falling apart around evacuees, according to agency officials.

“Our disaster case managers were present in shelters in East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Tangipahoa, Ascension and Assumption parishes,”  said C.J. Roy, director of disaster  relief for CCDBR. “They performed initial disaster assessments on the needs of households in the shelter as well as providing transportation assistance in the form of gasoline gift cards, bus tickets and Uber rides. “Transportation was needed for families needing to return to their homes in the storm-affected areas or reunite with family members.”

The assistance CCDBR provided is staggering. According to the latest numbers, Catholic Charities, as of mid-December, had delivered/distributed food and other goods with a culminative estimated value of $558,374, a number that CCDBR executive director David Aguillard said is likely underestimated. 

“In a rush to get (supplies and food) out, we probably did not count accurately,” he said. 

Staff members opened 446 disaster management cases for evacuees who were staying in shelters, residents who are currently in hotels and other residents who suffered Ida damage. Of those helped, 45% were on some type of Social Security or disability and another 17% unemployed.

Nearly 65% of those helped either had their houses totally destroyed or sustained major damage. 

CCDBR also provides more than 700 families and individuals with housing and medical/mental health services. 

Distribution sites were established at 10 churches parishes throughout the diocese.

Roy said case managers coordinated with local agencies for specific  resources needed by survivors, including medicine as well as clothes. The agency also provided rental assistance for survivors who needed relocation from their damaged rental properties. 

As workers crisscrossed southern Louisiana with the familiar CCDBR trailers in tow, executive director David Aguillard was awestruck, admittedly inspired by those who set aside their own needs to meet the needs of others less fortunate.

“They are amazing when it comes to their ability and willingness and commitment to their responsibilities,” said Aguillard, noting the agency does not have a dedicated recovery team but that it is manned by CCDBR employees who respond during a crisis.

“I am so honored to work with the people who work here,” Aguillard said, emotion creeping into his voice. “To be surrounded by people who share that commitment inspires me as well. I try to follow their example. I learn a lot from them, and they bring joy to my heart.”

Aguillard said lessons learned from Hurricane Laura’s landfall in Lake Charles in 2020 helped staff members prepare for Ida’s aftermath. He said workers were in the CCDBR offices during the Labor Day weekend, cementing final preparations.

Gas was the initial concern, Aguillard said, so the initial focus was on the shelters.

“There is where the most needy of people are,” he said.

But as the gas crunch eased, staff members began deploying to some of the hardest hit areas. 

Catholic Charities agencies from around the country chipped in with virtual case management offered by counselors trained in disaster management. 

“Having skilled knowledge of case management is critical,” Aguillard said. “We (are able to) address families in need as quickly as possible. That immediate response can be the difference between recovery and never recovering. There are still some people who have not recovered from (Hurricane) Katrina.”

The COVID-19 pandemic did not hinder recovery efforts, he said, explaining that staff members took precautions by wearing facial coverings and maintaining social distance.

“They continued to get out there and help people in need as fully as possible regardless of the situation,” he said. 

Aguillard called working with his staff “a wonderful blessing” but that blessing encompasses something much bigger than one agency.

 “What I get out of it is a deep appreciation of the Catholic Church in its commitment to have agencies such as ours help the needy,” he said. “It is a commitment that dates hundreds of years. Christ always said ‘if you want to serve me serve the poor.’  

“My faith is rooted in that Catholic message of Christ, which has been a consistent message for centuries.” 

“The meaning of incarnation is God is present,” he added. “When you see that active in other people I feel like I’m living out the Gospel. I am so thankful.”