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June 2009
Description
On May 3, 2009, southern West Virginia was hit with major rain storms that flooded several counties. Ultimately 6 counties were declared Federal Disaster, with the bulk of damage being in Mingo County (2,366 registered) and Wyoming County (1,219). McDowell county had 520 total FEMA registrations, Raleigh 301, Mercer 135, and in unrelated flooding Calhoun with 45.
From previous disaster response WVMAW has built up momentum and a volunteer base as well as a full summer mission team program in the areas of advocacy and in mitigation against further disaster in areas where poverty compounds disaster.
Structure
West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps, Inc. (WVMAW) was started as the Disaster Recovery arm of the Presbytery of West Virginia in September 2001. The organization was incorporated in May 2002. WVMAW’s executive director reports to a board, which represents Presbyterians from around the state. The executive director also periodically presents reports to the presbytery, is an agency member of the Social and Ecumenical Ministry Committee and a clergy member of the Congregational Development Committee.
Volunteers
There are 65 work groups scheduled for 2009, with 28 groups completing their missions by the end of June. A total of 4,274 hours have been volunteered towards flood recovery, with 6,862 additional hours volunteered for other work cam p projects. Americorps volunteers hosted in WVMAW locations worked for three weeks as muck out teams, and additional teams served but were not supervised by WVMAW staff.
Individuals served
Flood zone: 6 individuals and a church serving 15 people.
Non-flood areas: 25 individuals and churches serving 12 and 15 people.
Type of work
Montgomery, W. Va.: From May through June groups built 4 wheel chair ramps, two roofing projects, siding, flooring, sheetrock and ceiling repair, paint, and rebuilt porch.
Kopperston, W. Va.: Kopperston is the closest location we have to the flooded area of Wyoming County. Muck out work began with summer teams in June involving mud removal from basements and beneath floors, removal of flooring, sheetrock and insulation, and removing electrical wiring. Some reconstruction began in places that had sufficiently dried. April and May teams built wheel chair ramps, and did basic reconstruction work.
Colcord, W. Va.: Groups were scheduled for June through mid-August, and have so far painted, put up siding, built a wheel chair ramp for a small church and a residence, re-roofed a house and a mobile home, and completed several porches that were unsafe.
Welch, W. Va.: Groups were scheduled for June and July. One team framed up a room and a bath for a family with severely handicapped son and mother. Welch is also located about an hour from the flood site in Hanover. Groups helped to muck out homes and began some reconstruction.
Examples of how Presbyterian congregations worked in partnership with other faith-based organizations
- The Executive Director is the secretary of WV VOAD and is on the Long Term Recovery Committee for Wyoming County, working with faith based agencies in flood recovery that include the WV Council of Churches, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Partners, The Adventists Disaster Recovery, Southern Baptist Men, American Baptist Men, as well as others. WVMAW will help to support case workers for flood assessment through Catholic Charities.
- A group of men from Catholic Charities in Fairmont, WV were housed in WVMAW Welch location and commuted to Hanover, WV to help muck.
- WVMAW worked in partnership with American Baptist Men to coordinate a team of Presbyterian men from Pennsylvania for muck out.
- A team of AmeriCorps workers who came to help muck stayed in WVMAW location in Welch as well as in the Gilbert Presbyterian church. Training was coordinated by the Southern Baptist Men.
- WVMAW helped to muck and reconstruct flooring and some walls in the Hanover Freewill Baptist Church, located in the flood area of Hanover.
Advocacy
Background
WVMAW is a collaborative partner with the Wastewater Treatment Coalition of McDowell County (WTC). The WTC was formed after the 2001 floods, and the necessity of addressing the lack of wastewater treatment came to the attention of many entities and individuals. WVMAW became involved because the lack of wastewater treatment is a social justice issue that continues to keep the county from economic development, and therefore keeps many residents of the county in poverty conditions.
In McDowell County, West Virginia, 67 percent of all wastewater is straight-piped directly from homes into the rivers and streams. Because of geographic diversity, mountain barriers, and the depressed economy, typical sewage treatment is not feasible for most of the county. The Wastewater Treatment Coalition has completed a plan proposal for every household and business in the county.
Update
The following article, written by Peni Adams, Executive Director of the Wastewater Treatment Coalition of McDowell County is a summary of the progress of the project in Ashland, West Virginia, for which WVMAW has been a collaborative partner:
The Wastewater Treatment Coalition of McDowell County began working with the community of Ashland, McDowell County, WV in 2005 raising funds to install a nontraditional septic system in Ashland. The project has moved forward through efforts of so many people and groups. Whether it was monetary or technical supportfrom the group or individual, without their help and dedication, the project could not have been realized.
The first phase of preparing the drainfield was provided through volunteer labor valued over $35,000 and WV Ministry of Advocacy & Workcamps, Inc. (WVMAW).
The second phase of the project was awarded to Versa-Con, Inc., from St. Albans, WV for $482,540.60. This phase includes installation of the system holding tanks, pumps and individual or shared septic tanks, and laying pipeline from the system tanks to the wetland treatment system and from the wetland to the drainfields. Versa-Con, Inc. began their work in March and in spite of large amounts of rain and snow, this phase is over 60% complete, which is considerably ahead of schedule. Versa-Con anticipates completion by late July.
Once the second phase is complete, the last phase of the project can commence. This will include completing a wetland treatment system, laying approximately 500 feet of main sewer line in the road, connecting individual tanks to the main line, installing pumps, paving the road, and restoring any personal property that was disturbed during construction. September 2009 is the targeted date for the system to be complete and operational.
Upon completion, Ashland Community Utilities, Inc. who currently operates the water system in Ashland, will assume the responsibilities of the wastewater treatment system for five years or until the McDowell PSD assumes the operational responsibilities. The completion of this system is a milestone for McDowell County and is a showcase of things to come!
The Wastewater Treatment Coalition has been working in the next town along the stream, which is Crumpler, West Virginia. A different alternative system is being considered for this area. Funding will hopefully come from grants for infrastructure projects.
Stories of hope
- So much to do in Hanover, West Virginia - thankful for the promise of help on the way
- We all are one in Mission – discouraged pastor and church receives gift of volunteers
Future
In the last quarter report I had commented that we were ready for whatever is next! “Bring it on!” I quipped. Remind me to watch my enthusiastic challenge to God in the future. WOW! Indeed we were ready, but that does not mean there aren’t mountains to climb! Flood disaster is never convenient. Coordinating efforts among volunteers and agencies and working with government entities is challenging to say the least. On the scale of disasters to make the news, this recent flood disaster in West Virginia was small. Without the media attention that other flooding has received, outside response from muck out, to donations, to long term recovery has been comparatively small. Yet we know from experience that even with a few loaves and fishes, by faith, we can still bring nourishment and hope to the multitude in need.
We have 28 work teams on the schedule for the remaining year and already have 17 on schedule for 2010. This is an affirmation that we are still called to this ministry of outreach and recovery.
Micah 6:8 is the template for the work to which God calls us to do: What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.
Doing justice is bridging the gap in the name of Christ. The gap is between the rich and poor; the gap is between those who are safe and those who are victims of disaster; the gap is between those blessed with abundance and those who are victims of the disaster, whether the disaster is flooding or of unemployment, poverty, age, or illness. The gap is between those who can do for themselves and those who cannot.
To love kindness is to build relationships with individuals, not simply do something for “those people.”
Walking humbly with God is to recognize that this is not about us—it is about loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind and loving neighbor as ourselves. Walking humbly with God is allowing God to surprise us with stories of grace and hope that change our lives as well as the lives of those we serve.
This report was submitted by Joan Stewart, executive director of West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy & Workcamps (WVMAW). |
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