- Emergency Assistance
It has been a very long week for residents of Sonoma County and other regions hardest hit by the unprecedented and devastating wildfires still raging through Northern California.
The number of people affected is staggering and growing. As many as 70,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, while more than 5,700 structures have burned completely to the ground—2,834 homes in Santa Rosa alone.
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Last Monday JFCS’ staff and volunteers began to address the immediate and long-term needs of seniors, families, and people with disabilities who have lost their homes, livelihoods, or both.
Diana Klein, JFCS’ Sonoma County Regional Director says, “Some people are still in their pajamas and residents are just shell-shocked. Most don’t really know what to do right now and they can’t think about the next day, let alone the next week.”
That’s why JFCS is here for survivors of the fires for the long haul, and the JFCS Board of Directors has generously offered to match donations up to $100,000 for Emergency Assistance.
Remains of one of the 2,834 homes destroyed in Santa Rosa.
JFCS’ Santa Rosa office staff set up a temporary intake center at Santa Rosa’s Congregation Shomrei Torah where case workers worked alongside partner organizations to offer a full spread of food, supplies, child-care, and emotional support all week.
Klein acknowledged the incredible job that first responders are doing to fight the blaze, as well as rescue and care for survivors—everyone has come together. “It’s powerful to witness people who’ve lost everything come in and say, ‘How can I help?’ The outpouring of love, generosity, and support has been overwhelming.” Klein adds, “Sonoma County residents love their home and don’t want to leave when their neighbors are hurting.”
Recovery from what Governor Jerry Brown says is “the worst fire in California history” will take years, and JFCS has already begun working with survivors to provide case management and emergency assistance.
JFCS Sonoma County staff provided case management, emotional support, and emergency assistance to traumatized fire evacuees and survivors this week in Santa Rosa.
A local caregiver for JFCS’ Seniors At Home program contacted JFCS to receive emergency services. The three seniors for whom she cares all had to be evacuated, and her own mobile home in Santa Rosa was incinerated. Sadly, her beloved neighbors are on the list of the missing. Klein says, “We’ve never seen a crisis like this, and the stress and exhaustion is starting to settle in.”
JFCS staff are trained in trauma care and began giving emotional support and counseling to the many survivors who have lost everything, including providing vouchers and gift cards to restaurants, gas stations, and local stores so that those with nothing can buy clothes and other essentials.
JFCS delivered new mattresses donated by Tuft & Needle to Santa Rosa’s Congregation Shomrei Torah where evacuees, many of whom lost their homes, are taking refuge.
Lisa woke up on Monday morning to find that the business where she’d worked for eight years as an office manager burned to the ground the night before. She and her two teenage sons were evacuated only to find that their apartment building was also destroyed. Becoming homeless and jobless overnight would be a nightmare for anyone, but for a single parent living paycheck to paycheck it’s catastrophic.
Moving forward, many who don’t have a job to return to will need help with rent and bills. “The last thing we want is to add to the number of people made homeless by this horrible disaster,” says Klein. “Monetary donations at any level will also help make sure those who are jobless, but still have a home can keep it.”
The JFCS Board of Directors have offered to match donations for our Emergency Assistance Fund up to $100,000. We urgently need your help to meet the complete match amount. Please consider making a donation today to ensure that everyone affected by the fire has a safe place to live, clean clothes, food, and emotional support.
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If you are in Sonoma County and need help call 707-303-1500 or email [email protected].
Our Santa Rosa office is open at 1360 N. Dutton Avenue, Suite C., Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Offer Rental Housing: Many people displaced by the fire are beginning the search for a home or apartment in the Bay Area to rent. Given the tight rental market, this is a huge challenge. If you can offer longer-term housing or rentals, please let us know by emailing [email protected].