High Praise for HFI?s Efforts in Atlantic City

On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy barreled ashore in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  Two days later, a Hope Force team began assessments of the damage, visiting homeowners and mapping out a strategy for serving the city.

During the initial response phase, Hope Force responders ?mucked out? and gutted nearly 200 homes affected by floodwaters from Sandy.  As city leadership observed our work, they put forth an invitation to Hope Force International -- to establish the Atlantic City Long Term Recovery group.  

As we approach the one-year anniversary of service to Atlantic City, the Recovery Center team has 15 full time employees (local residents) -- salaried by grants secured by Hope Force International.  In the past months, Hope Force efforts have received high praise for standing up one of the most effective long-term recovery efforts in the state, with commendations from FEMA, Atlantic City's mayor, and the governor's office.  Work continues on 30 active construction projects with an abundance of volunteers.  

In November, Hope Force will transition out of Atlantic City, leaving the continued operations to local employees.  Program Director Craig Snow currently finds himself busy training a new director and case manager supervisor, while preparing the staff for a new season of service to the city.

Along the way, so many remarkable homeowners have touched our hearts.  Ten months after Hurricane Sandy hit the shores of New Jersey, Yvette Johnson had still not received any help to clean up and repair her flooded home.  In desperation, she posted a sign on her rooftop??Lord, send me an angel ? I need your help!?.  When her story found it?s way to Hope Force staff, Construction Manager (and HFI Reservist) Janice Bantner scheduled an appointment to meet Yvette.  After surveying the damage and hearing Yvette?s story, Janice let her know that help would come.  Yvette smiled and responded, ?I?ve been praying for someone like you!?

Drywall is up and Yvette can begin to imagine what her ?new? home might look like in a few months.  While living with family a distance away, Yvette hops on a bicycle daily to come watch the transformation of her home?and never stops smiling!

We want to send a heartfelt ?thank you? to all who have partnered with us to make a difference in Atlantic City: our wonderful Reservists, our dedicated staff, teams of volunteers from around the world, our donors?and our cherished friends in Atlantic City.  We thank God for His heart of compassion and guidance that sovereignly led us to this amazing city.