From Shelter to Stability
Update: American Red Cross and CARITAS Partnership Assists Fire Victims
February 5, 2010
In the aftermath of the December fire at Chesterfield Square Apartments, the American Red Cross and CARITAS quickly mobilized to collect and distribute replacement furniture for the approximately 175 people who lost their homes and belongings. Efforts included:
- Emergency furniture drives arranged by PODS of Richmond at:
- PODS of Richmond (Permanent Location)
- Greenwood United Methodist Church
- Mt. Vernon Baptist Church
- West End Assembly of God
- River Road Presbyterian
- St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church
- St. Catherine's School (where they filled the POD three times!)
- Furniture Bank training for eight ARC volunteers to assist victims in selecting replacement furniture
- Distribution of replacement furniture and goods to 25 households to date.
The need for furniture will continue as the remaining fire victims find new housing or await the reopening of their apartment in 2011. While these sites are no longer active, we do have 8 permanent collection sites.