Hope through Housing for Avondale Families
Donation protected
A home is an extension of oneself and reflects who we are. It is a place which is full of treasured memories, laughter, birthdays, family reunions...When you lose your home, you also lose a part of yourself, which is difficult to rebuild.
As many of you know, the Avondale Apartments flooded twice last week due to the heavy rains brought forth by Hurricane Isaias and again because of the flash flooding we experienced on Friday, August 7th. Multiple water rescues took place after people were trapped in their apartments due to the floodwaters.
A day after the first flooding, some of the families who were already in the process of moving back into their apartments had to evacuate again due to the flash flooding. The families, many with young children, were forced to leave behind all of their personal belongings, losing everything in the process. Those who lived on the first floor were impacted severely as their apartments flooded in several feet of water and the creek overflowed both days.
Frequent flooding of the first floor apartments due to heavy rains has been an ongoing issue for years among residents and the Avondale Borough, as the apartments are located on a floodplain of the East Branch White Clay Creek. Unfortunately, they remain one of the only affordable housing options available to renters in the area leaving the most vulnerable working class families and their children susceptible to drowning, injuries, loss of health and housing, due to frequent flooding.
Like many other families, the families affected do not have renters insurance, thus, cannot recover any losses from the flooding. We are not sure when, or if, it will be safe for these families and their children to move back into their apartments. About 12 families who suffered flood damage are temporarily staying in hotel rooms provided by the Red Cross, but unfortunately many of these families are being forced to return to damaged apartments, and if they stay beyond the initial authorized date, they will be responsible for any additional costs that accumulate.
Therefore, we are asking our communities in Chester County to come together and donate to support the 12 families that have been impacted. We are collaborating with community leaders, local nonprofits and St. Rocco Parish to connect families to resources they will need during this difficult time.
Although the original intent was to distribute the funds in an equal way, as a result of the findings, the money will be disbursed based on level of need (high, medium, and low), prioritizing first floor families who lost everything. Families will be given visa prepaid cards with the amounts disbursed per the above guidelines to use toward rebuilding their lives. As some families will make the choice not to return, renters insurance is not a requirement. Some families will use this toward furniture, security deposits, replacing documentation, and immediate needs. Families paid rent on August 1st and were not refunded despite the floods happening just five days later and those who already made the choice to leave, have been told they will not be issued a security deposit. All of the money from GoFundMe will be used in this way minus a small amount used toward purchasing pizzas for the families on the days that we did not have sponsors.
Help us give hope through housing to the Avondale families displaced by Hurricane Isaias. Help us rebuild their lives.
As many of you know, the Avondale Apartments flooded twice last week due to the heavy rains brought forth by Hurricane Isaias and again because of the flash flooding we experienced on Friday, August 7th. Multiple water rescues took place after people were trapped in their apartments due to the floodwaters.
A day after the first flooding, some of the families who were already in the process of moving back into their apartments had to evacuate again due to the flash flooding. The families, many with young children, were forced to leave behind all of their personal belongings, losing everything in the process. Those who lived on the first floor were impacted severely as their apartments flooded in several feet of water and the creek overflowed both days.
Frequent flooding of the first floor apartments due to heavy rains has been an ongoing issue for years among residents and the Avondale Borough, as the apartments are located on a floodplain of the East Branch White Clay Creek. Unfortunately, they remain one of the only affordable housing options available to renters in the area leaving the most vulnerable working class families and their children susceptible to drowning, injuries, loss of health and housing, due to frequent flooding.
Like many other families, the families affected do not have renters insurance, thus, cannot recover any losses from the flooding. We are not sure when, or if, it will be safe for these families and their children to move back into their apartments. About 12 families who suffered flood damage are temporarily staying in hotel rooms provided by the Red Cross, but unfortunately many of these families are being forced to return to damaged apartments, and if they stay beyond the initial authorized date, they will be responsible for any additional costs that accumulate.
Therefore, we are asking our communities in Chester County to come together and donate to support the 12 families that have been impacted. We are collaborating with community leaders, local nonprofits and St. Rocco Parish to connect families to resources they will need during this difficult time.
Although the original intent was to distribute the funds in an equal way, as a result of the findings, the money will be disbursed based on level of need (high, medium, and low), prioritizing first floor families who lost everything. Families will be given visa prepaid cards with the amounts disbursed per the above guidelines to use toward rebuilding their lives. As some families will make the choice not to return, renters insurance is not a requirement. Some families will use this toward furniture, security deposits, replacing documentation, and immediate needs. Families paid rent on August 1st and were not refunded despite the floods happening just five days later and those who already made the choice to leave, have been told they will not be issued a security deposit. All of the money from GoFundMe will be used in this way minus a small amount used toward purchasing pizzas for the families on the days that we did not have sponsors.
Help us give hope through housing to the Avondale families displaced by Hurricane Isaias. Help us rebuild their lives.
Fundraising team (4)
María E. Zavala
Organizer
Kennett Square, PA
Ana Zavala
Team member
Karen Beltran
Team member
Gonzalo Cano
Team member
