Rabbitt Continues Focus On Storm Clean Up

A Column from Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt (R,C,I-Greenwood Lake)

February 6, 2012

Although it has been a handful of months since Tropical Storms Irene and Lee devastated much of our state, homeowners and businesses, particularly agriculture-based businesses, are still struggling to fully recover. In particular, many individuals are just now realizing the full effects of the storms on their mental health and well-being. That’s why I am helping to raise awareness for Project Hope, a service provided through the Mental Health Association of Rockland County that is available to help any residents of either Rockland or Orange counties who may be in need of assistance.

Funded in part by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and administered in partnership with the New York State Office of Mental Health, Project Hope’s counselors can help provide emotional support to those affected by the storms, refer individuals with unmet needs to resources for assistance, help individuals reestablish their feelings that may have been damaged during either disaster, and assist those affected by the storms to return to their pre-disaster levels of functioning.

Since its inception last fall, Project Hope has helped many residents of Orange and Rockland counties recover: both in terms of their mental well-being as well as in terms of assisting or mediating their FEMA assistance claims or restoration construction on homes and businesses.

If you or someone you know is still struggling to recover from either tropical storm, or consequent flooding, or may be having a hard time emotionally, please do not hesitate to contact Project Hope for a confidential appointment with one of their counselors. Free counseling and presentations are available for individuals and communities throughout the region. To set up a confidential appointment, a community presentation, or for more information, please contact Project Hope at one of the following numbers:

• To set up a confidential appointment with a Project Hope crisis counselor, please contact:
• Rockland County Team Leader, Debbie Kelly: (845) 642-5124
• Orange County Team Leader, Nicole Chesney: (845) 642-6213
• For more information on Project Hope or for further assistance, please contact: Program Coordinator, Frank Caputo: (845) 642-1832

As we continue to recover from Irene, I would like to again thank everyone who has come out to help and encourage residents to stay safe: please do not bypass roadway barriers, never touch fallen power lines, beware of damaged trees and never swim in flood waters. Furthermore, please be wary of continued storm damage and, with weather forecasts predicting rain, please watch out for flash floods. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office for assistance.

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