Is the American Red Cross holding on to YOUR KATRINA DONATIONS?

Millions of Katrina Dollars Found – Your GUIDE TO FINANCIAL HELP, by Kirby Sommers, May 17, 2007

IS THE AMERICAN RED CROSS HOLDING OUT ON KATRINA VICTIMS?

Katrina Home Drive has existed to help Katrina survivors. Today, we’ve unearthed what can be perceived as disturbing and potentially exciting news.

Money given to the Red Cross to help Katrina survivors has been a hush hush secret until now. (See letter for example of the $20,000 of additional aid available per family which has been kept a SECRET and denied to many Katrina survivors).

I had a conversation today with Jeanne Ellinport -- director of a number of different programs and initiatives in the Red Cross who told me about the secretive “Means to Recovery” funds.

This fund is only accessible to case workers who fall within the Katrina Aid Today Consortium Partnership, and is a double-digit million dollar number. (The amount is my estimate, not provided to me by Jeanne Ellinport – however a number that is reasonable if you re-read the Washington Post’s piece “Most Katrina Money Aid from Overseas Went Unclaimed.”)

You won’t find any information on these millions of dollars. I did, however, get verbal confirmation that the program has existed since October 1, 2006. Ms. Ellinport described this money as a “tool for case managers,” and made it clear that it was not public information. It is not to be found on their website, it was not going to be advertised and there was to be no outreach to survivors. The Red Cross is only making this money known to other partner agencies – specifically, the Katrina Aid Today consortium case workers.

“All Tier II and Tier III case workers know about this tool,” Ellinport told me. I raised the issue that the public be made aware – there is after all, a need for money on the part of survivors. Her answer was that she’d received many calls from people “asking where’s my money and how do I get it?” I was baffled as she continued. “Those who truly want to recover will, those looking for entitlement won’t.”

So, you may qualify for this help: it’s available to all Katrina survivors. But, if you show any feelings that this government owes you anything, you’re not given access to it.

My question is: Who has given charity a different name? When where the rules changed? And who made who the boss (or better yet...the "decider") of Katrina donations?

A case worker decides if you’re worthy to receive money that has been given to The Red Cross to help you.

I’m as disgusted as I’m sure you are by reading this.

BUT, NOW YOU CAN GET HELP:

Jeanne Ellinport refused to confirm the exact amount of money they cap for each family. Through another source I found that number to be $20,000. The money is not meant to help with housing, but it’s there for things such as car repair, furniture, up to $10,000 to re-start your business, about $1,000 for clothing, and money for medical/dental care.

HOW TO ACCESS THIS MONEY MEANT FOR YOU:

1. Go to www.katrinaaidtoday.org

2. Click on the Map (Upper right hand corner)

3. Search for the agency closest to you

4. Start working with a case worker

5. Be prepared to show how you need certain funds for your long term recovery

6. If no one returns your call, keep calling. Go and knock on their doors, if you have to.

7. If there is no Katrina Aid Today agency is your area, GO TO YOUR LOCAL RED CROSS AND ASK FOR A CASE MANAGER.

Please share this information with other survivors.

If any one of you has been turned away from Katrina Aid Today, I would like to hear from you.

If any one of you has any questions, I would like to hear from you.
If any one of you has any complaints, I would like to hear from you.
Send any and all inquiries/comments to me at:
help@katrinahomedrive.org

God Bless,
Kirby Sommers
Katrina Home Drive