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NEWS
| SEPTEMBER 27, 2005
Hurricane
Volunteers needed again
School of Social Work seeks more
students to aid Hurricane Rita evacuees.
By Kim
McQuire
Contributor to The Shorthorn
The efforts of social work student volunteers may be far from over,
as a second wave of hurricane evacuees begin to fill local shelters.
In the past week, Hurricane Katrina families were moved out of the
shelters to permanent housing, allowing student volunteers from
the School of Social Work to take a rest from their work, according
to social work coordinator Donna Pope.
However, according to Rosalyn Davis, Family Life Center director,
at least 150 new Hurricane Rita evacuees came to their shelter since
Thursday morning and said more volunteers are needed.
Pope said that as the shelters begin to fill, the Salvation Army
has sent out a plea for more volunteers.
“The need is continually there,” she said. “And
as the need develops, the students will rise to the occasion.”
Social work students will need to attend brief rapid-response orientations
in order to volunteer at the shelters, Pope said. She added that
the trainings will only be for those students, although the Red
Cross offers similar trainings for the general public.
According to Pope, a schedule has not been made for the orientations,
but she expects the sessions to be in the near future. Right now,
she said, the school is waiting to determine the shelter’s
needs and volunteer interest level.
“Some students may have volunteered as much as they can and
may need to be replaced,” said Larry Watson, social work assistant
dean.
Pope also said volunteer time must not conflict with students’
class schedules however in demand their services may be.
“Sometimes shelters are without volunteers because of classes,”
she said. “But the education of our students must come first.”
President Spaniolo said he is proud of the volunteer efforts of
students throughout the past weeks.
“There has been a tremendous outpour of support and resources,”
he said. “That says a lot about the kind of university we
are and its people.”
Davis said the Salvation Army specifically needs Spanish-speaking
volunteers who would be able to translate for hurricane evacuees.
“The majority of the Hurricane Rita evacuees in the shelter
speak Spanish,” she said.
Davis added that the shelter will continue to house the evacuees
and provide for them as the need arises.
“We’re the Salvation Army, and we provide shelter,”
she said. “That’s our job.”
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