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We have been in Joplin, MO since August first. This is a very different disaster project than the Mississippi project. I have not picked up a single piece of debris but it has still been much more demanding and difficult.

We are working directly for FEMA on this project, acting as intake workers. We work in teams of two making phone calls to contact everyone who has registered with FEMA in order to make sure anyone with any unmet needs (food, housing, clothing, etc) get access to resources. We schedule interviews with anyone who is interested in meeting, during which we listen to each person’s story, find out what specific needs they have, and record all of the information on an intake form. This information goes back to FEMA so that they have more specific data on each person’s situation. It also goes into a database to which charitable organizations have access and are able to see an individual’s specific needs and contact them directly with resources to fill those needs. With particularly desperate cases we go to our FEMA supervisor, with whom we meet daily, and he “takes care of them.” We work 8:30 until 5:30, or whenever our evening debrief ends, six days a week and most of us do independent service projects on our day off. Our days off are staggered throughout the week so that everyone can work Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

It has been an incredible experience listening to all of the amazing stories of survival and the hope and positivity expressed by so many people is inspiring. However, it is also an enourmous emotional strain listening to the stories of people who narrowly escaped death and are on the edge of financial collapse. We have spoken with many families who are on the verge of eviction, utilities shut off, who can’t put food on the table every night, or don’t have a place to live at all. There is tremendous anxiety after such meetings. So many things run through your mind; “did I give them the right advice, did I give them the right resources, will they get back on their feet because of what I told them, or will they be on the street soon because of something I forgot?” There are many things I will miss about this project, however, I am glad to be leaving soon.

Adding to my excitement at leaving is an event in honor of the work we and other corps members have done in the Joplin recovery effort. We will be honored at the Chiefs vs. Rams pre-season game this Friday in Kansas City and will get to stay for the game! The Chiefs will also hold a dinner for us, I can’t wait!

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