Southeast Texas Interfaith Office (SETIO)(Jefferson,Hardin,Orange Counties)

Southeast Texas Interfaith Office(SETIO)

THE OPPORTUNITY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS:

Hurricane Rita has brought both great suffering and new
possibilities. It has opened up old dividing walls between
races, religious bodies, and economic and political interest.
Thousands of men and women from all over the U.S. are willing
to come to Southeast Texas to assist us with volunteer labor.
Some will even bring their own funds to purchase necessary
building materials. Significant public and private monies
have been earmarked for recovery that typically require extra
knowledge and connections to access. All recognize the threat
of future crises and lingering unmet community needs.

WHO WE ARE:

SETIO is an interfaith and interracial coalition of congregations
and organizations located in Southeast Texas. Our families,
communities and congregations were deeply affected by Hurricane
Rita. With deep faith in God, we are stepping forward to assist
vulnerable families as they seek to recover from this disaster
and meet forthcoming challenges. Already we have replaced the
roofs and repaired the damaged homes of nearly 100 uninsured,
underinsured, elderly, disabled, and single parent families.
SETIO through extensive national volunteer networks and local
paid and volunteer leadership is now positioned to increase in
scale to assisting an average of 30 families per month through
the recovery process and more as additional congregations and
organizations join forces with us. SETIO also aspires to develop
the trust and relationships between us and with the community so
that we can work together across race, denomination and economic
class to address other issues that have held back our communities
and undermined our future.

Contact person: Louis May
Phone number: 409-984-9530
Best hours to call: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, M-F, CST
Fax number: 409-983-1590
E-mail Address: lmay@lsss.org
Is E-Mail address read daily? Yes
Website address: www.setio.org

Serves: Southeast Texas - 3 counties

Speciality: Rebuilding after Hurricane Rita

Description of volunteer needs: Roofing, sheetrock, porches
and handicap access house leveling/stabilization

Skilled volunteers are required to have: Ability to be flexible
- work with whatever and wherever there is need

Useful Skills: Roofing, all trade skills

Rural/Farm related volunteers needed: Possible - urban and
rural areas

Tools or supplies volunteers should bring: Gloves, hammers,
power saws, nail guns, shovels, if possible

Will volunteers need to bring any money or material, such as
for housing: We would appreciate some funding, if possible

Length of time volunteer can help: 1 day, 3-5 days to 1 week
preferred, or longer

Size of volunteer team: Varies

Are individual volunteers welcome? Yes

Age restriction, if any: Youth need adult supervision

Denomination/affiliation, if any: Interfaith - all are welcome

If yes, must volunteer be a member: No

Any other restrictions: Depends - there are child
protection/restriction issues. Please call for details.

Housing provided for volunteers, if any: Yes, probably at
retreat center and/or local churches. Please call for specific
details.

Meals provided for volunteers, if any: Some, kitchen and
shower facilities available. Please call for specific details.

Any additional notes: PLEASE COME. Serving single moms,
handicapped seniors, and those who fiscally and physically
need help. There is still a great need for volunteers.

Approximate date the project started: Oct-15-2005
Estimated date the project will end: Oct-31-2008
Information Updated: June-12-2007

City: Port Arthur
State: TX
Zip Code: 77642-3675
Contact person: Beverly May
Phone number: 409-984-9530

Toll free at: 1-877-813-2699
Best hours to call: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, M-F, CST
Fax number: 409-983-1596