This month, FEMA was on-site at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center after a month of advocacy by the City of New Orleans and Catholic Charities. Spirit of Hope continued working with evacuees providing funds for ID’s, birth certificates, coordinating transportation with the Red Cross to doctor’s appointments, some direct assistance with cards and referring back to FEMA for registration and pending claims information for clients.

There are between 1,200 and 1,500 new evacuees from Texas that have just arrived in New Orleans and beginning to visit the Convention Center.

Once such evacuee, Jessie Smith, had not seen a doctor since evacuating and needed several medications. He needed to establish care with Healthcare for the Homeless clinic, as he was unable to see his regular primary doctor in Lake Charles because of being displaced by Hurricane Laura. Jessie smith is a type II diabetic amputee among other chronic illnesses. He was in dire need of medication refills and needed to follow up with a medical doctor. Catholic Charities’ Spirit of Hope Laura Case Manager, Deacon Larry, collaborated with Health Guardian’s Program Director, Paula Stewart, to secure a doctor visit and medications for Mr. Smith.

Health Guardians’ partners at Healthcare for the Homeless was able to grant Mr. Smith an appointment in order to fulfill his medication requests. Health Guardians coordinated transportation assistance to ensure his attendance to the appointment. Spirit of Hope also coordinated with Mr. Smith’s doctor in Lake Charles.