Press Releases
Released on August 01, 2006
RECOVERY CORPS CALLS ON RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO PROMOTE EMOTIONAL RECOVERY
BATON ROUGE, La. (August 1, 2006) – As the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches, thousands of impacted people are still struggling with emotional repercussions experienced after the 2005 hurricanes. The Louisiana Family Recovery Corps and Louisiana Spirit Hurricane Recovery seek the assistance of religious leaders of all faiths to help in the emotional recovery process by participating in “A Time for Coming Together.”
In support, Governor Kathleen Blanco proclaimed the weekend of August 12th and 13th, 2006 A Time for Coming Together. Governor Blanco says this initiative appeals to a core strength of Louisiana’s people. “Our people have always found strength in family and in faith. This is a time for coming together in a program to lift our citizens. Houses of worship are safe places for our people to seek guidance and comfort. I encourage Louisiana’s spiritual leaders to open their churches for this program and I ask Louisiana citizens to open their hearts to healing. A Time for Coming Together is exactly what the people of Louisiana need to provide a base for emotional recovery by connecting with neighbors and friends,” Blanco said.
It is during times of personal crisis that many people look for a spiritual connection and seek it among religious groups. Recovery Corps CEO, Raymond A. Jetson says “The weekend is designed to facilitate a positive influence, by creating an environment of togetherness, community support and healing in houses of worship all across the state.” The Recovery Corps is asking churches, mosques, synagogues and temples to use this weekend to get the word out to their congregations that help is available and that seeking out professional emotional help is spiritually, mentally and physically healthy.
According to Jetson, research conducted by the Recovery Corps revealed an acute mental health crisis among people displaced by Katrina and Rita. Jetson says helping people to recover emotionally is a critical part of the Recovery Corps mission. “Our families have faced and are still facing some serious challenges. If we don’t help our people find peace of mind, it will be virtually impossible to reconstruct healthy and sustainable communities.”
Since many hurting people are seeking solace in religion, Jetson, who is also a local pastor, is appealing to fellow religious leaders to meet the people where they are. Houses of faith across the state are expected to open their doors for services of healing and hope that weekend, followed by receptions during which hurricane survivors will share their stories and experiences. Louisiana Spirit Hurricane Recovery is providing support personnel at the services to speak to members of any congregation that requests them. The Louisiana Spirit program provides crisis counseling to assist people with the trauma, grief and feelings of loss.
John Daniel, deputy executive director of Louisiana Spirit, stresses that those
who meet one on one with a counselor, do so confidentially and without a medical
record. “We recognize that many people who need crisis counseling sometimes
do not take that step because they are concerned about the stigma associated
with mental health problems,” Daniel said. Any house of faith wishing
to participate in A Time for Coming Together should contact the Recovery Corps
as soon as possible by calling 225-346-3120 or by sending an email to kunderwood@recoverycorps.org.
