Tuesday, Jul 16, 2019

The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc. has received funding from the Essex County Community Foundation to help clients with disaster preparedness.

The $17,350 grant will be used to train staff and provide additional services and programs for families affected by the Columbia Gas disaster in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover last year.

Specifically, the money will allow the agency to provide:

·       Training in home safety assessment, general emergency preparedness and trauma-informed care/communications.

·       Group session for families impacted by the gas disaster.

·       Assessment/inspection of client homes to detect potential risks.

·       Education and information about disaster and emergency preparedness (both in and out of the home) for families including their own “go bag” for emergencies.

“We are extremely grateful for ECCF’s support, which allows us to offer these additional services to clients who are still struggling to get back on their feet,’’ said Evelyn Friedman, executive director of GLCAC. “The services will educate families to be prepared in case of another disaster, offer opportunities for families to attend counseling as needed due to the prolonged traumatic effects of the disaster and to provide basic home safety and disaster preparedness assessments.’’

The Essex County Community Foundation supports the communities of Essex County by managing charitable assets, strengthening and supporting nonprofits, and engaging in strategic community leadership initiatives. 

GLCAC is a multi-faceted social services agency that assisted 32,648 individuals in 2018 through a range of programs including early childhood education, fuel assistance, WIC nutrition assistance, immigration services, lead poisoning prevention, child abuse prevention, English-language lessons, and consumer protection