The On-Going Need for Hurricane Sandy Relief

It has been over five months since Hurricane Sandy hit New York City and thousands of people are still displaced from their homes. While most of us went back to life as usual within a few weeks after the storm, things have never been the same for many in coastal neighborhoods like Coney Island, Sheepshead Bay and the Rockaways, where thousands of homes and businesses were flooded and destroyed.

For many there, the path to rebuilding is not just long and difficult, but has become indefinite due to a lack of financial and social capital. As a church community that exists not simply for itself, but for the city, we recognize that one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history is still causing suffering for thousands just an hour from where many of us worship on Sundays.

As followers of Christ, the suffering of our neighbors is an opportunity for us to express the love and generosity of God, who enters into and redeems the suffering of His people. Members of Redeemer have been participating in the relief effort since November and during Lent this March, Redeemer Downtown partnered with Hope for New York and Brooklyn Presbyterian Church to create two “Sandy Relief Saturday” volunteer opportunities to serve those still in need. These days of service were born in the Spirit of Isaiah 61, out of gratitude since God has come into our lives and invited us to “restore the places long devastated” and “renew the ruined cities.”

Both Saturday opportunities filled up completely. Volunteers went to Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn and suited up in full body Tyvek suits, mold respirators, goggles and work gloves to do demolition and mold remediation for homeowners that could not afford these services on their own. We had great days serving local residents such as a woman who had used her entire savings to purchase a home less than six months before the storm hit and a man whose home had been in his family for generations. We were blessed by the opportunity to serve a few, but see that the needs are still great.

In the first weeks after the hurricane, there was an outpouring of support and volunteers while news outlets from around the country constantly covered Sandy related stories. There was a sprint to meet all of the immediate needs. However, the race to rebuild these neighborhoods will be more like a marathon and as the news and rest of the country has moved on, many need the compassion and generosity of others now more than ever.

Just as Christ did not serve us once and leave us on our own, let us consider how we might walk alongside those in need and be a part of rebuilding the broken places in our city for the long haul. For more opportunities to participate in the relief effort visit www.hfny.org.

For photos from our Sandy Relief Saturdays visit www.Facebook.com/RedeemerDowntown.

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Articles in this Issue

		Change and Grace: Part 2 Tim Keller
		NYC Re-Imagined Sarah Davis