The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and The United Way of the Cape Fear Area convened a meeting this morning with community leadership to organize a coordinated strategy of relief and recovery in the Cape Fear Area. A standing room only meeting of more than 50 agency heads and others was held at BB&T on 3rd Street as partners reported out on their current situation, needs, and recovery efforts. John Gizdic, CEO of NHRMC quoted John Gooden who said "Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out." That's what resiliency enables you to do! It was encouraging that there was recognition in the room that recovery will be not just a physical one but also an emotional one as well.
Some of the highlights of the meeting included:
1) Kelly King, CEO of BB&T announced an additional $1.5 million towards relief efforts in southeastern North Carolina.
2) Housing the 300 + people who are currently in New Hanover County shelter (and an additional 959 people across the region) is a critical and immediate need. Most of these individuals had homes before the storm which are no longer inhabitable. Katrina Knight of the Good Shepherd Center noted that affordable housing was an issue before the storm, and now it is even more of a need. Housing located in the beach communities which often sits vacant in the off season is a possibility for individuals looking for housing.
An additional challenge is that the Salvation Army which housed approximately 100 individuals lost its roof in the storm and is no longer an option for the homeless population.
3) Natalie English from the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce said that the average small business recovery rate is 45%, but implored the group that we must do better.
4) The Harrelson Center will open a distribution center for donations that are coming in from local and other locations nationwide.
The group agreed to meet again soon to continue to communicate needs.
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