When the Almeda hearth roared by way of southern Oregon in 2020, many residents have been left homeless. And whereas nonetheless reeling from the trauma, they needed to discover and navigate applications that present meals, shelter, and different help.
“It’s a lot … that you simply form of want somebody to be there with you,” says Jose Yañez of the Firebrand Resiliency Collective.
The group helps join hearth victims with state companies, native nonprofits, and different help providers by way of its “Zone Captains” program.
As a bilingual zone captain, Yañez says he helps make it possible for language boundaries don’t stop Spanish-speaking folks from getting assist. And he gives private introductions to company employees when doable.
“I feel that’s one thing that’s actually wanted these days is heat handoffs and other people to be human,” he says.
He additionally continues advocating for hearth victims, even after making an preliminary referral.
“As zone captains, we really examine in with the those who we refer, to make it possible for every little thing goes based on how they have been wanting it to go,” Yañez says. “We’re right here for the survivor, not for the companies.”
So the zone captain mannequin connects folks with materials sources and reassures them that somebody’s of their nook, supporting their restoration.
Reporting credit score: ChavoBart Digital Media
