In the early
evening of this Christmas Day, a tornado touched down in the western area of
the city. Most families were busy with the activities of the day, not paying
attention to the news and unaware that the tornado alert system in the targeted
area was not operational. Over two hundred homes were damaged and families were
displaced. Miraculously, no lives were lost, though more than a dozen homes
were entirely destroyed.
Christian Service
Mission joined forces with the City of Birmingham, Hopewell Baptist Church, the
Red Cross, Believers Temple Church (BTC) and others to assist with immediate
relief for the devastated area. Immediately after a crisis like this, things
can be really chaotic, but our volunteers were out over their Christmas break
to help cover roofs with tarps and remove debris. We are so thankful for all
they did, as well as the donations that were so quickly made.
One month later, we
can give you a relief effort update. A committee has come together to partner
with Project Hopewell (a 501C3) at Hopewell Baptist church, where Pastor Rodgers
is senior pastor. Project Hopewell has registered 230 families and homes
affected by this tornado. From their rough assessment, about 65% of the
families are renters and the remaining families are homeowners. The estimate is
that 95% of the homeowners do not have the option for insurance, because the
insurance companies generally will not insure homes in this area.
The City's
Community Development Office and Jefferson County have estimated that the total
damage is around 2.3 million dollars, and have promised some assistance. FEMA
is not at the table, so all these factors create a massive need for the faith
community to step in and minister to this under-resourced community.
Project Hopewell
Executive Director, Ava Wise, and Herman Henderson (BTC) have stationed
themselves at Hopewell since day one. Many partners have stepped up to help
over this last month. To date, the funds raised have been approximately $58,000
and expenses have been approximately $8,000. The next step is to get the
case management underway so that the needs can be identified and prioritized,
and then mobilize these partnerships to meet the needs.
Volunteer With Us!
Project Hopewell
and BTC will mobilize volunteers on January 30th from 1:30-3:30 to continue the
clean-up work. We have 400 teens coming to help from Shades Mt. Baptist Church.
On February 6th from 10-2, Hunter Street Baptist Church will send 200 teens to
help with the clean-up. Please consider joining with us on these volunteer
days of service. Hopewell Baptist Church is the gathering site for both
volunteer work dates: 4817 Jefferson
Avenue SW | Birmingham | 35221
If your church or
organization would like to be a part of the rebuilding of this devastated
community, please contact CSM. We will keep you informed. Please join with us
in prayer for this community.
