Response & Clean-Up Efforts

On Saturday, September 28, we will be sending teams to assist with the clean-up and demo efforts in Northeast Houston.  We will gather at 8:00 a.m. on the Basketball Court of the Activity Center. We are asking anyone who is available to help to come and join us. Although experience in demo work is valuable, it is not necessary. Our team leaders have had ample training and will guide you through the work.

We are also recruiting volunteers who are willing to help wash and pack homeowners’ salvaged items and to provide compassionate care to them. If you would like to volunteer, email our Disaster Relief Team, they would appreciate a response so that we can plan accordingly.  Please make sure to bring the proper tools and safety equipment. This includes but is not limited to waterproof work boots, n95 masks, waterproof work gloves, etc. We have some masks and rubber gloves available, but it is best if you can bring your own.  Please take some time to review the Muck & Gut Guide and video and the Compassionate Care Guide.

Thank you in advance for your help, and we look forward to hearing from you!

Resources

A Tropical Storm Imelda Needs Assessment Survey has been prepared to understand the needs incurred by this storm. If you or anyone you know has been affected, please click here to fill out the Survey.

Note: This is a survey to understand the needs, not an application for assistance. It will be used to inform response efforts. As resources become available to assist those affected by flooding, we will reach out to share information about those resources.

Please complete this by September 30, 2019.

If you were affected and are in need of Homeowner Resources, click here for guidelines on reporting damage, mucking and demolition, mold remediation, avoiding contractor scams, etc.

We encourage everyone to pray for all those already affected by the storm. Pray for the first responders. Pray for those who will help with the recovery. And, pray for patience and relief from the anxiety we all feel as we see this too familiar story unfold again.

“So we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another”
~ Romans 12:5

SJV’s Disaster Relief Ministry, along with the HOPE Network and several ministries and groups within the parish, are assisting parishioners and neighbors with the long-term recovery.

If you want to help, or have been affected by the flooding and are in need of assistance, please check our Resource Page by clicking on the red box below, or contact Social Service Ministries at 281.497.4434 or email us. Please be sure to provide us with a phone number where you can be reached during office hours.

Harvey Recovery Resources

FEMA Offices: November 30th was their last day here at St. John Vianney’s Activity Center.
SBA Offices: Thursday, December 14 was their last day.
 

SJV Continues to bring hope to our parishioners through the HOPE Network

Rooted in our parish Mission Statement – Living Faith, Changing Lives, Making a Difference – SJV’s HOPE Network seeks to bring our community closer together, as we are one body in Christ.
We realize recovery from Harvey is a long-term process, and we want to be there for our fellow parishioners through this process. We offer prayer, encouragement and support as we are able.
In addition to prayer, we are currently focusing on volunteers who can prepare hot meals or are willing to help provide prepared food to our parishioners. Many of them are still living in hotels or do not have a functioning kitchen, and having to eat out for every meal can add up. As time progresses, additional needs will arise.
Won’t you prayerfully consider using your time and talents to bring hope to our brothers and sisters in need?
For additional information, or if you are interested in collaborating with SJV’s HOPE Network, please contact the Social Service Ministries office at 281.497.4434.

FEMA Offices are located in the Activity Center Youth Lounge.
New Hours of Operation:

• Monday – Saturday from 9am to 7pm. Closed on Sundays.

Other government and community representatives available at this location:

• SBA (Small Business Administration). *Deadline to apply for SBA loans is Oct 24.
• IRS
• Texas Department of Insurance
• Lone Star Legal Aid

For more information, contact the Parish Life Office at 281.497.1555.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick
will be hosting a

HARVEY RECOVERY COMMUNITY MEETING

St. John Vianney Catholic Church

Tuesday, October 3, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
The meeting will take place in the main church.

State and Local Representatives along with FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers will be in attendance.

St. John Vianney Food Pantry will be hosting a food drive that evening.
Accepting non-perishable items.

Counseling and Crisis Management Services:

• Catholic Charities is offering three free counseling sessions for those emotionally affected by Hurricane Harvey and the flooding. To schedule an appointment, call Catholic Charities at 713.874.6590.
• Social Service Ministries at SJV has also recruited mental health professionals with experience in trauma, grief and crisis management. For additional information email or call our offices at 281.497.4434.

Study to Investigate Environmental and Chemical Exposures After Harvey:

• Baylor College of Medicine Wristband Study: October 1, 9am to 12:30pm during Donuts & Kolaches.

Donations:

• Joseph’s Coat is unable to accept any more donations at this time. Due to the tremendous generosity of our parishioners, we have an abundance of clothing donations and used goods. Other churches and nonprofit organizations may also be full.
• SJV Disaster Relief Fund: Please join us in our efforts to mobilize much needed financial assistance in our community as so many of our staff, parish leaders and volunteers are flood victims. Please click here to make your financial donation online.

Calling all volunteers!

Once again this Saturday we are in need of volunteers (17 yrs. and older) to help out our fellow parishioners and neighbors who have experienced damage from the flooding.
Please meet at St. John Vianney on the Basketball Court of the Activity Center this Saturday, September 23 at 8:00 a.m. We’ll check-in, complete waivers and divide up into teams. Each team will be assigned to a home that is need.
Although we have some tools & supplies, if you have any of the following, please bring them: hammers, crowbars, demolition blades, wheelbarrows, shovels and protective gear (breathing mask, eye protection, gloves).
Make sure you wear old clothing; we suggest long sleeve shirts and pants.
We’ll supply the water and nourishment.

A note from Father Troy:

Dear Friends in Christ:
You may have already received a request asking for volunteers to assist in our recovery efforts this weekend. Our fellow parishioners desperately need our help and they need it now. I ask that if you are able, that you please help us help our neighbors in this great time of need. Invite your friends from work or from school or from other parishes to join us. I cannot describe how much your help is needed and what a difference it will make to those who have suffered so much. This is truly God’s work and He is calling each of us to serve and be his instruments of care and love.
Thank you for your faith, love and devotion and response to this urgent request.
Fr. Troy

Our supply center is open in the Activity Center Dining Room until Saturday, September 23, 9am – 3pm.
Joseph’s Coat is assisting with free clothing and our Food Pantry is supplying non-perishable items for flood victims. Both Joseph Coat and the Food Pantry are open through Saturday, September 23, 9am – 3pm. Beginning Monday, September 25, Joseph’s Coat and Food Pantry will return to their regular hours of operation.
If you are in need of additional assistance please contact the Social Service Ministries office at 281.497.4434 or email us.

Resources for Harvey Flood Victims

want to help?

A special thank you to all volunteers who have helped so much!
We need volunteers this Saturday, September 23. Please meet at St. John Vianney on the Basketball Court of the Activity Center  at 8am.

Volunteer

There are multiple ways in which we can come together as one family to serve our fellow parishioners in need. Please call our offices at 281.497.4434 or email Mercedes to let us know that you are available to volunteer.

Complete Volunteer Form Online  

Or Download/Print Volunteer Form

We’re looking for volunteers we can call to see if available to lend a helping hand, as the hands and feet of Jesus, with things that might only involve helping people fill out forms, making phone calls, helping at SJV or a nearby site to distribute emergency items or supplies, we need volunteers to deliver hot meals, run errands, babysit, do laundry for the disaster victims. We also need volunteers to help clean up and demo houses all week. On Saturdays and Sundays, clean-up and demo volunteers meet at the Basketball Court at 8am.. We will be working in collaboration with Catholic Charities, St. Vincent DePaul and other entities.
Already on our team? Click here for Volunteer Resources
 

Donate

As so many of our staff, parish leaders and volunteers are flood victims or had to evacuate, we have created a Hurricane Harvey Disaster Fund in our efforts to mobilize much needed assistance in our community. Please make your donation to St. John Vianney Disaster Relief:

Donate Online

If you have any questions, please contact Belinda LeBouef at 281.497.1500
All donations are tax deductible