Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, Hurricane Harvey Supply Drop Off/Pick-up/Volunteer Camp/DAY CAMP for kids of survivors

for daycamp: https://greene.org/hurriane-harvey-houston-day-camp/

Posted Sept 3, see above link for updates:

Hurricane Relief Updates
How You Can Help

The J along with Jewish Family Services of Houston will distribute digital gift cards directly to people in need. Here's how you can help. We are also accepting donations for the Hurricane Relief Fund.

Important Supply Drive Updates for Sunday, Sept 3 and Monday, Sept 4

Please make note of the following information:

Drop off and pick up of supplies will only be available from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM Sunday, Sept. 3.

From 12:00 PM-2:30 PM supplies will be distributed on a "drive thru" basis. Cars will be able to enter the J parking lot only off of Atwell and drive to the Tennis Center.

The supply distribution on Sunday is being made possible through the generosity of a local foundation and will be distributed by members of the Houston Texans football team. Everyone will be required to remain in their cars when supplies are placed into cars.

The distribution and collection of supplies will end on Sunday, Sept 3 at 2:30 PM.

Important Information for Volunteers

Please park in front of the J and not along the wooden fence. Parking will not be available near the Tennis Center.

We will need volunteers beginning at 8:00 AM to unload trucks and continue through the day to assist in the Tennis Center and the coordination and distribution of supplies for the "drive thru" from 12:00 PM-2:30 PM and from 2:30 PM-4:00 PM to unload two trucks.

Please note that supply distribution on Monday, Sept 4 will be limited to individuals that are participating in the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston in-home clean up efforts.

If Your Home Has Been Damaged, Help is Available
The Federation is organizing volunteers who are available to help with cleaning through Monday. To sign up to have volunteers help in your home, fill out this form.

Volunteers Needed to Help Clean Homes
If you are able to volunteer, please fill out this form https://mail.jcchouston.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=jy5LSIzZw6dVx8AVhMFm2iqM8FB1ZjERC6hSTHwK0N-Sg7CFbvLUCA..&URL=https%3a%2f%2ft.e2ma.net%2fclick%2fqya8k%2fe9ys9d%2fyktvre. We will need volunteers through at least Monday.

Below is a list of supplies we will be collecting:

bottled water
work gloves
packing supplies (boxes and tape)
plastic storage bins
heavy trash bags
masks
heavy duty razor blades to rip out carpet
sheetrock cutters
sharpies
cleaning supplies, including old towels, mops, buckets, bleach and Lysol
gift cards from home repair stores and grocery stores

Immediate needs:
Cleaning and packing supplies. We are currently not accepting donations of clothing or shoes.

From the website Sept 1, 2017 (see above link for updates):

Hurricane Relief Updates
How You Can Help

The J along with Jewish Family Services of Houston will distribute digital gift cards directly to people in need. Here's how you can help. We are also accepting donations for the Hurricane Relief Fund.

Important Supply Drive Updates for Sunday, Sept 3 and Monday, Sept 4

Please make note of the following information:

* Drop off and pick up of supplies will only be available from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM Sunday, Sept. 3.

* From 12:00 PM-2:30 PM supplies will be distributed on a "drive thru" basis. Cars will be able to enter the J parking lot only off of Atwell and drive to the Tennis Center.

* The supply distribution on Sunday is being made possible through the generosity of a local foundation and will be distributed by members of the Houston Texans football team. Everyone will be required to remain in their cars when supplies are placed into cars.

* The distribution and collection of supplies will end on Sunday, Sept 3 at 2:30 PM.

Important Information for Volunteers

* Please park in front of the J and not along the wooden fence. Parking will not be available near the Tennis Center.

* We will need volunteers beginning at 8:00 AM to unload trucks and continue through the day to assist in the Tennis Center and the coordination and distribution of supplies for the "drive thru" from 12:00 PM-2:30 PM and from 2:30 PM-4:00 PM to unload two trucks.

* Please note that supply distribution on Monday, Sept 4 will be limited to individuals that are participating in the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston in-home clean up efforts.

If Your Home Has Been Damaged, Help is Available
The Federation is organizing volunteers who are available to help with cleaning through Monday. To sign up to have volunteers help in your home, fill out this form.

Volunteers Needed to Help Clean Homes
If you are able to volunteer, please fill out this form. We will need volunteers through at least Monday.

Below is a list of supplies we will be collecting:

* bottled water
* work gloves
* packing supplies (boxes and tape)
* plastic storage bins
* heavy trash bags
* masks
* heavy duty razor blades to rip out carpet
* sheetrock cutters
* sharpies
* cleaning supplies, including old towels, mops, buckets, bleach and Lysol
* gift cards from home repair stores and grocery stores

Immediate needs:
Cleaning and packing supplies. We are currently not accepting donations of clothing or shoes.

Contact Us

Need to reach us with a comment or question? Please complete our online form and we will be in touch.

Facility Updates
Update 9-1-17

We have started repairs to the J and Merfish Teen Center. We will remain closed indefinitely. The water damage to the garden level of the J was extensive, and we are still trying to understand the full impact.

The central plant, which includes all of our electrical panels, boilers and mechanical equipment flooded. Please note that we will delay the start of all fall classes and will provide you with additional updates next week regarding many important programs and their status. This will afford us some additional time to plan and better understand the scope of damage and timetable to complete the critical repairs.

To our families enrolled at BAS, we are evaluating a number of plans and working with childcare licensing to determine our options. We will not be able to provide any programs Sept 5-8 and will communicate with you early next week. Remediation work has begun in BAS. The power remains shut off in West Houston. While we have not been able to assess the damage, we are investigating options.

Thank you for your continued patience.

Update 8-30-17

The Weingarten building on the Levit campus has sustained significant water damage on the lower level, front playground and mystical garden. There was some water damage in the fitness center and preschool gymnastic facility.

We have limited power in the building that is impacting our ability to clean the entire building and certain parts of the building do not have air conditioning.

At this point, we do not have an estimate when we will re-open. My goal is to re-open the fitness center and one of our pools and gym as soon as possible. We have transitioned our Meals on Wheels program to Interfaith Ministries to be able to serve our vulnerable older adult population. We are assessing BAS and have communicated to our BAS families that re-opening BAS is my top priority.

Update 8-28-17 | 8:00 PM

The lower level of the Weingarten building on the Levit campus including the front playground and Mystical Garden has taken in a great deal of water. We are coordinating efforts with Centerpoint to shut off the electricity to be able to have a remediation company pump out the water.

Other parts of the J have had minimal damage, and we will remain closed through this week. The Merfish Teen Center took in about a foot of water as well.

Power is out in BAS. We have not been able to make a complete assessment, but getting BAS fully operational as soon as possible is our top priority.

The J's Tennis Center, which was not damaged, along with the Jewish Federation will be mobilized to coordinate supply contribution and distribution, and we will launch this initiative in the next few days. Watch for further updates.

Update 8-26-17 | 9:00 PM

The J will remain closed on Sunday, August 27
Shabbat Shalom. We hope that you and your family are safe and out of harms way. Based on the unpredictability of the weather and concerns regarding safety for our staff and members, the J will remain closed on Sunday, August 27. Please take care and stay out of harms way. We will communicate with you Sunday evening regarding our plans for Monday, August 28.
Update 8-25-17 | 3:30 PM

The J will close today, Friday, at 6:00 PM, and will remain closed on Shabbat
In consideration for the safety of our staff and members, the J will close today, Friday, at 6:00 PM, and will remain closed on Shabbat, Saturday, August 26.
We will continue to monitor the storm and its impact on our community. At the conclusion of Shabbat, we will provide further information about the status of the facility and programs for Sunday, August 27.

RECOVERY SUPPLIES
We will begin accepting supply donations as soon as the J reopens, with the expectation that there will be some level of flooding in our community. You can drop off supplies in the lobby of the JCC, and we will continue to accept donations and provide supplies to those in need as soon as we are operational.
Update 8-25-17 | 10:00 AM

J CAMP PM CARE
J Camp PM Care will not be available today. All campers should be picked up between 3:30 PM-4:00 PM.

OUTDOOR POOL CLOSURE
While we anticipated the Outdoor Pool Complex to be closed as of 3:00 PM today, do to thunder and lightning in the area, the pool is now closed.
Update 8-24-17 | 3:15 PM

OUTDOOR POOL CLOSURE
The outdoor pool complex will be closing as of Friday 3:00 PM in order to begin preparations for Hurricane Harvey. The indoor pool will remain open regular hours along with the rest of our facility. We will continue to watch the storm and if any changes or closures are needed, we will provide further updates.

RECOVERY SUPPLIES
As we continue to monitor Hurricane Harvey's path, we continue to be concerned about its impact on our community. As we've done in the past, the J will respond to community needs in any way we can. We are prepared to again become a hub for recovery and supplies, should the need arise. We'll provide updates as the storm progresses and we are able to determine what resources are needed and how the J, and other Jewish agencies, can best provide support.
Update 8-24-17 | 12:00 PM

We are currently monitoring the progress of Hurricane Harvey in the Gulf of Mexico. As we receive updates, and in the event of inclement weather, we will keep you informed regarding the status of our programs and if our facilities will be open and available for use throughout the weekend.

Please visit this web page and follow us on Facebook for updates.

Ways to Help Adults 60 and Older After a Disaster from "Care for Elders" at the J

Thank you for helping. Our older residents are least likely to ask for help and most likely to tell you that everything is fine. It’s important to physically visit when possible. If they need help, here are some steps you can take:
Option 1

Let them know about 2-1-1. By calling 2-1-1, they can be connected with special community resources that may be able to help with:

* Applying for and navigating City, County, and FEMA programs
* Basic needs, such as food, clothing, housing, and medical resources
* Connecting people to available local supports

Option 2

Call 2-1-1 for them if they cannot or won’t even though they clearly need help. There are trained staff members who can follow up, and a case manager from a local agency may be assigned who will check on them and offer resources.

2-1-1 will need the person’s name, zip code, approximate age and general description of need.
Option 3

Call Adult Protective Services (APS) at 1-800-252-5400 or visit https://www.txabusehotline.org/Login/Default.aspx for a person 65+ or disabled if:

* The situation is dire and/or
* There is abuse, exploitation or neglect (including self-neglect/unsafe living conditions).

APS will send someone to offer in-home services or help find a safe place. If possible, APS will need name, address, phone number, and approximate age.

Everyone has a legal duty to report if they see an older or disabled adult described above. Call even if you only have some of the information. Reports are confidential.

When you talk to residents, remind them to register with FEMA (Federal).

For FEMA, call 1-800-621-3362, visit www.disasterassistance.gov or m.fema.gov from a smartphone.

To report storm damage, call 311 (City of Houston).

While no one can replace what has been lost, please let older residents know that there are people available to make the process as easy as possible. Remember, older adults who are competent also have the right to refuse services.
Need additional help? Call Care for Elders at 713-595-8178.