Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, presented a check for $35,000 to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to continue disaster relief services.
From left: CCGH Disaster Recovery Program Director Matt Johns; CCGH Board Members Jamie Vazquez, Nancy Evetts, Ellen Ginty, Stan Marek and Lisa Ganucheau; Bishop George A. Sheltz; CCGH Board Member Michael Youtt; Msgr. Kevin Sullivan; CCGH Board Member Chuck Gremillion; CCGH President and CEO Cynthia N. Colbert.
When Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast in 2012, people sent relief aid from across the country. In the aftermath of Houston’s fall disaster, Hurricane Harvey, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York (CCNY) decided to pay it forward – delivering relief for our region.
CCNY presented Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (CCGH) a check for $35,000 to continue its disaster recovery work. The funds will help connect people seeking assistance to needed resources and referrals, and will also help CCGH – Greater Houston’s leader in long-term disaster recovery – provide disaster case management services.
Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of CCNY, traveled to Houston to personally deliver the check, tour the area and meet with CCGH staff and clients.
“One of the reasons we wanted to come down now is that the cameras have gone away, but the need is still here,” Msgr. Sullivan said. “We wanted Houston to know that we stand with you.”
Msgr. Sullivan toured the Kashmere Gardens neighborhood of Houston, where many homes are still in disrepair. There he met with CCGH client Joe Murphy, who described how several feet of water flooded his home and car. CCGH has helped him start to rebuild his life.
Fr. Martin Eke of St. Francis Assisi Church in Houston met with Msgr. Kevin Sullivan to discuss the impact of Harvey in his parish.
Msgr. Kevin Sullivan and Marion Boteju of Catholic Charities New York, Cynthia N Colbert, His Eminence Daniel Cadinal DiNardo, and Catholic Charities Board Chair Kevin K. Rech.
Msgr. Kevin Sullivan meets with Joe Murphy, a Catholic Charities Galveston-Houston client whose home was flooded by Hurricane Harvey.
During his visit, Msgr. Sullivan also met with Fr. Martin Eke of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. The parish and its school had at least four feet of water from Harvey.
“We are just over five months past the storm, and it takes months and even years to fully recover from disaster,” said Cynthia N. Colbert, MSW, CCGH President and CEO. “We know the long, slow recovery process is just beginning. We are very grateful for people and organizations like Msgr. Sullivan and Catholic Charities New York for their generosity and compassion. They are a tremendous blessing.”
Catholic Charities Disaster Recovery services helps individuals and families dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters like hurricanes, floods and other catastrophes. The organization provides response coordination and short-term and long-term recovery services so people can get back on their feet as quickly as possible.