I'm sharing this information with the Mitchell community so that you are aware. Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.
Kevin
On Wednesday, January 8 at 4 AM a devastating fire at the Green Baxter Court public housing site destroyed an entire building with 6 housing units. Thankfully, all tenants- awoken by other GBC residents- were able to get out of their units safely - some in just their pajamas. Some tenants suffered frostbite on their feet and were treated for smoke inhalation. Four families lost almost everything they owned. Fourteen children, ranging in age from two to eighteen, were displaced with their families. The extent of the damage is documented on M-Live at: http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2014/01/after_fire_at_ann_arbor_housin.html#incart_river
The Red Cross was immediately on the scene and provided emergency assistance by covering the cost of hotel rooms for 3 nights. After that, The Ann Arbor Housing Commission (AAHC) moved the families to an extended stay facility near Green Baxter Court, and it will continue to cover their stay until permanent housing can be secured. Families will be issued Section 8 vouchers to find housing in the private market, so while families will not be out in the street, the likelihood is high that they will need to move to different communities.
As you can imagine, initially the families were in terrible shock, and the first day was spent buying footwear and clothing, and providing comfort and assurance that everyone will receive CAN's full assistance tackling the challenges that lie ahead. The second day was spent taking inventory of the various families' losses and developing a plan to move and store the salvageable household furnishings. On Friday and Saturday, in a race against time, movers and volunteers moved these furnishings into nearby storage spaces - paid for by Rotary North. Throughout last week, tenants also received assistance in an array of immediate needs, ranging from replacing glasses, breathing machines, prescriptions and clothing as well as addressing long-term needs such as transportation to school, contacting the post office, case workers, etc. Two families had renters' insurance and CAN is assisting tenants with the complicated process of filing claims.
In the past 6 days everyone has been incredibly impressed with the tenants' strength, resiliency, courage and optimism. They have developed a very strong support system between themselves--often suggesting that CAN staff direct its assistance to other families first, "because they need it more".
Many people and organizations have reached out to us to help. The greatest need is for cash donations to enable the families to take care of immediate day-to-day needs and for future security deposits once families find permanent housing. The Kiwanis Thrift store has already pledged to assist with the replacement of furniture and household items.
How You Can Help
For those who would like to help the families cope with the constraints of hotel residency, gift cards to movie theaters, Jump City, Zapzone and Jungle Java would be very welcome donations.
As the Extended Stay hotel only has microwaves, and to continue to provide a healing place for families to come together, CAN is providing full meals in its community center for the displaced families Monday through Friday evenings. Restaurants or individuals willing to help with this are encouraged to contact CAN directly - at info@canannarbor.org.
Thank you to the Rotary Club North, Kiwanis, Ann Arbor Public Schools, Clague PTSO and King PTO, Payless shoes, MLive/Ann Arbor.com Warm the Children, Ann Arbor Thrift Store, Michigan Municipal League employees, and Java Jungle who have all provided some assistance to these families, and to Frita Batidos and Zingerman's for promising to donate a meal.
Please spread the word that if people are moved to help, they can make a donation directly on CAN's website at canannarbor.org and CAN will use the funds to help these families rebuild their lives. Donors should write "GBC Fire" in the memo line. The AAHC and CAN do not have the capacity to store household goods or clothing, please make those types of donations to Kiwanis or the Ann Arbor Thrift Shop so families can select the items they need from organizations that specialize in managing these types of donations.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Joan Doughty
CAN Executive Director
