Catholic Charities West Virginia has announced the receipt of a grant from Catholic Charities USA aimed at enhancing disaster recovery efforts for those affected by Hurricane Helene. The primary focus will be on Mercer County, with outreach extending to surrounding areas.
The grant will allow Catholic Charities West Virginia to strengthen its mission of providing long-term disaster recovery services. It will support direct outreach to impacted individuals and expand training opportunities in Disaster Case Management across the state.
Mark Phillips, President and CEO of Catholic Charities West Virginia, expressed gratitude for the support: “We are grateful for the support of Catholic Charities USA, which empowers us to better serve West Virginians who are still struggling after disasters. One of our goals is to accompany people—we want to make sure we are walking alongside people to help them return to lives that are stable, happy, and healthy.”
Despite having a robust network for immediate needs like muck-out efforts and food distribution, coordinating long-term recovery remains challenging in West Virginia. Many survivors face displacement due to severe home damage and struggle with the recovery process.
Currently, there is a shortage of trained Disaster Case Managers in the state. The grant aims to increase their numbers by placing them within organizations throughout West Virginia. This initiative seeks to build preparedness so that trained professionals can mobilize quickly when disasters occur.
As part of this effort, CCWVa plans to hire new case managers and a construction manager for rebuilding projects. These roles will be funded through various resources including this grant, as well as state and federal agencies such as FEMA, along with parish support throughout West Virginia.
For more information or involvement opportunities, visit www.ccwva.org.
