First United Methodist Church

NOTE: This would be a good spot for volunteers as it's logistically closeby to Gustav damage but the parish where responders would stay has commerce/services available.

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9/4/08 LTel:

Spoke to Jenni at the church. Jim Wyche is cooking for the National Guard. Tried him on his cell, no answer.

Per Jenny, Lafayette Parish is slowing getting power up. She couldn't answer to specifics but is pretty sure they will be assisting with clean up efforts in Houma/Terrobone Parish. She asked me to have Jim answer the specifics.

No damage to the church and very little damage to Lafayette Parish.

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5/30/07 DNN Article:

Skilled volunteers needed in Iberia Parish, La.

If you're researching hurricane recovery volunteer opportunities,
don't forget about the thousands of people still recovering from
2005's Hurricane Rita. This week I spoke with Jim Wyche, community
outreach coordinator for First United Methodist Church in New Iberia,
La. Wyche's church houses volunteers in town for Rita recovery, and
he said more help is needed.

"I've still got hurricane (jobs) piled up," said Wyche. "If I had
a steadier volunteer base and some more funding, we could do more.
I'm sure there's two years' worth of work out there, if not three.
And that's provided we don't get any more storms."

Wyche and the church work with the Iberia Parish long-term recovery
committee on the many homes still in need of repair. The church can
house 36 people and Wyche said he's especially looking for volunteers
who are skilled in rebuilding work.

"Our little church has worked on over 60 homes. The demolition
time is just about over and now we're in the rebuilding stages.
I would prefer some people with carpentry skills."

If you're interested in working with Jim, you can reach him at
First United Methodist Church at 337-369-3721.

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Per call to facility (4/17/07):

Has capacity for 36 volunteers. No fee to stay at
their facility but donations are WELCOME! No need
to bring bedding, they have bunks, bedding, pillows
and full kitchen priveleges. Some meals are provided
off & on throughout the year by the church but none
during the summer when school is out.

Currently assisting 8 families with long term
recovery/rebuilding volunteer services, but their
list has gone up to as high as 100 families and
varies dependent on the current community needs.

Long term recovery rebuilding projects currently
include drywall and insulation installation and some
general construction services provided by volunteers.
Right now, the NOMAD Missionaries are present volunteering
from 4/2-5/7/07 (see their website at:
http://www.nomadsumc.org/revolving_team.htm)

They have some bedding on hand to distribute to local
community members if needed currently. There is no
regular distribution available unless they are in a
current disaster crisis.

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Needs volunteers to help clean out houses, tear out carpet,
cut trees and more. Also needs cleaning supplies.