When news spread about a large apartment fire that displaced families of Santa Maria, a call came in to FSA for assistance. With many of the families having children enrolled in the Santa Maria Bonita School District, Margot Olivarria-Lauterio, our Family Outreach Advocate Supervisor and her team jumped into action.
She began by calling the American Red Cross to find the names of the families displaced by the fire. The Red Cross representative expressed concern that the families had not returned their calls. Knowing that some individuals may be intimidated by unfamiliar agencies, Margot utilized her resources at the school district and her trauma-informed training to provide a safe space at the children’s schools to meet with these families. Margot helped them connect with the Red Cross and receive immediate financial aid.
By creating a safe space, Margot was able to bring the families together alongside her team to assess their needs. Margot’s team discussed all the possible resources available to these families, teaching them the role of the Red Cross in accessing financial assistance, and inherently understood the fear and hesitation that these families were feeling. Not only did Margot’s team facilitate the families connection with the Red Cross, but ensured that they kept their appointments, and followed through to receive the emergency help they needed. Each family received an estimated $800 dollars from the Red Cross, and more from the FSA and other non-profits.
But the care for these families didn’t stop there. Margot and her team utilized all of their possible resources. Connecting them with a local church and other nonprofits, these families received bunk beds, dining room tables, dining room chairs, silverware, dish towels, towels, clothing, and anything else they needed to help them rebuild their lives.
The efforts of Margot and her team is just one example of the work that we do for families every day at FSA. Your support helps make it possible for us to promote the resilience of families in our community, especially during times of trauma.
