LAKESHORE

AREA
REGIONAL
RECOVERY OF
INDIANA

▪Restoring Homes ▪ Restoring Hope ▪

Volume 1, Issue II May 2010
Special points of
interest:

• Turn to page 2 to
LARRI honors ‘Champion’ volunteers
meet LARRI By LeAnne Munoz who survived
Recovery displacement and the
The atmosphere at the
Specialist Melanie structural damage to their
Lakeshore Area Regional
Parker. Go online homes, and also from
Recovery of Indiana’s
to take a tour of those who donated their
“Champions of Hope”
the GNS office! time to give back to those
dinner on April 22 at the
who had lost so much.
Hellenic Cultural Center
• Turn to page 5 to
in Merrillville, Ind., was LARRI, funded by a
read about the
joyous and lively. grant from Lilly
AmeriCorps
Endowment, Inc., was
NCCC volunteers The dinner brought
organized after the
and how they are together about 200 guests,
floodwater receded and
helping LARRI! most of whom had
has remained a constant
donated their time and
source of hope for those Photo by Robert Kapalka
energy to help those
whose lives were uprooted “LARRI is a model for
whose lives were
by the flood. other [non-profit]
devastated in Lake, Porter
and LaPorte counties by Executive Director of the places and groups,”
Inside this issue:
the September 2008 flood. Governor's office of Faith- said Executive Director
A day in the life: 2 Based and Community of the Governor’s office
Recovery The “Champions of of Faith-Based and
Initiatives Ike Randolph
Specialist Hope” dinner included Community Initiatives
gave the keynote address
stories of laughter, smiles Ike Randolph.
LARRI Award 2 at the dinner.
and tears of the people
Winners
See: ‘Champion’ Page 3

How YOU can 3 Keeping mold under control with Flood Control
help this month!
By Kasie Tenbarge 2010 by helping staff
members, homeowners
AmeriCorps 5
Flood Control is a and volunteers understand
NCCC
nationwide company that more about mold
helps people handle any mitigation, and how to be
Letter from the 6 type of natural catastrophe safe when entering homes
Director that may occur in potentially damaged by
Photo provided commercial or residential mold.
Anthony Steinke (left) properties. Flood Control
Dan Wilnau, Operations
and Flood Control has been working with
Operator for Illinois LARRI since January
Dan Wilnau (right) See: ‘Control’ Page 4
 Page 2
A day in the life: Recovery Specialist Supervisor
Photo by Donna George
LARRI Recovery Specialists,
Joyce Matthews (left), Melanie
Parker (middle) and Annetrice
Seawood (right)
by LeAnne Munoz
Meet Melanie Parker,
LARRI Recovery Specialist
Supervisor.
A resident of Merrillville, Ind.,
Melanie first got involved with
LARRI after she was laid off
from United Way and
Emergency Services in Gary.
According to Melanie, she was
lucky to be hired at LARRI just
as her unemployment ended.
The Christian Reformed World
Relief Committee - recognized
for its contributions of volunteer
teams.
Faith Without Borders -
recognized for their help with the
“muck and gut” process.
Habitat for Humanity at
University of Chicago -
recognized for providing support
to LARRI on a weekly basis.
AmeriCorps National Civilian
Community Corps - recognized
for providing numerous volunteer
teams.
Background: Melanie has
always had an affinity for non-
profit organizations and has
over 30 years of experience in
the social service field. After
much hard work, she earned a
bachelors’ degree in education
from DePaul University.
A typical day on the job:
According to Melanie, her job
varies daily at LARRI’s satellite
office at Gary Neighborhood
Services, where she manages
two other Recovery Specialists.
She beings her 5-day workweek
at 8:30 a.m. and ends it around
4:30 p.m., but she never knows
who will be coming in and out
of the office in between. “We’re
a walk-in site, so you never
know who is going to show up
throughout the day,” she said.
As a recovery specialist
supervisor, Melanie handles
cases given to her by her
manager, Kathy O’Day.
Crown Point United Methodist
Church - recognized for providing
meals and lodging for volunteers
Lutheran Church Charities -
recognized for donating furniture
and appliances for volunteer
housing.
Goshen Mennonite Disaster
Services Team - recognized for its
efforts since 2009.
Nappanee Amish Team -
recognized for providing skilled
volunteers to construction sites.
One Brick’s Chicago chapter -
recognized for its volunteer weekly
support since the flood.
▪ Restoring Homes ▪ Restoring Hope ▪
After receiving the case,
Melanie makes initial contact
with her clients by visiting their
homes. She said that while
many people are receptive to
LARRI, some elderly clients are
hesitant to welcome new people
into their homes because they
have been victim to scams in
the past. “Once they see what
gets done, they have opened
more than their doors, they have
opened their hearts,” she said.
Photo by Donna George
Gary Neighborhood Services, Inc.
300 West Avenue, Gary, IN.
219-883-0431
See: “Day in the life” page 4
Brethren Disaster Ministries -
recognized for its volunteer work
since the flood.
John Beebe - recognized for his
work to help get assistance for
those in need.
Dan Cacich - recognized for his
efforts to help establish LARRI.
Marion Case - recognized for his
work on the construction
subcommittee.
Doreen DiCianni - recognized
for her volunteer efforts.
Ed Mulder - recognized for his
work on the steering and unmet
needs committees.
Volume 1, Issue II Page 3

‘Champions’ Continued from Page 1

In his address, Randolph
praised LARRI for its quick
response and formation in a
time of need. According to
Randolph, “LARRI is a
model for other [non-profit]
places and groups.”
Randolph said he encourages
community leaders to get
involved with groups like
LARRI before disasters
occur, “because [disasters]
are the worst time to hand
out business cards.”
The “Champions of Hope”
dinner was a testament to
that fact, as everyone
gathered to encourage and
support one another; even 20
months after the flood took
place.
“I think it speaks to the
goodness of the people of
Northwest Indiana’s nature.
It shows they understand the
importance of helping others
who are less fortunate,”
LARRI Director Jane
Delligatti said.
Slideshows playing
throughout the dinner
illustrated the devastation
created by the flood, from
homes knee-deep in water to
homes with toxic black
mold. Many pictures,
however, highlighted the
continuous efforts made by
churches, youth groups and
various individual volunteers
to help fix the problem.
LARRI honored 10
organizations and five
individuals during the dinner
and managed to raise about
$4,100 from the silent
auction.
One group honored for its
volunteer work was the
Chicago chapter of One
Brick, which has been
volunteering time and energy
to reconstructing
homes since the flood
occurred.
One Brick’s Event
Manager, Kinga
Stepien, said that
while her group does
not volunteer for the
purpose of
recognition, they were
all honored to be
appreciated for their Photo by Robert Kapalka
work. The room was lit
from this single
“[Volunteering] is so
rewarding and candle, as the song,
fulfilling; it’s almost “Carry Your
like a reward itself,” Candle” echoed
she said. through the room.
The dinner ended
with an inspirational candle lighting
ceremony, appropriately accompanied by the
song, “Carry Your Candle.”
The lyric, “Hold out your candle for all to
see it; Take your candle, go light your
world,” echoed through the room as the
flame from one candle slowly illuminated the
darkness, a flicker of hope shining through.

How YOU can help this month

Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are at the very heart of what we do! Below are featured volunteer
opportunities for adults and families:
• “LARRI/AmeriCorps BBQ Build” on June 4. Work begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends
with lunch at 1:30 p.m. (Adults)
• Cook meals at home to be brought to our volunteer houses (Everyday; Families)
• Clean homes occupied by volunteers (Weekends; Families)
• Construction at home sites, both skilled and unskilled workers welcome! We will
Photo Provided
train you! (Monday—Saturday; Adults
Volunteer Coordinator
Rhonda Carlson • Yard work, cut grass and maintain flower beds at homes occupied by volunteers
(Weekends; Families)
Please call Rhonda Carlson, Volunteer Coordinator, at (219) 836-1325 or
rcarlson@larri.info to sign up for these opportunities. Thank you!
 Page 4 ▪ Restoring Homes ▪ Restoring Hope ▪

Day in the life Continued from page 2

Her role at LARRI:
Melanie handles the cases
of those in need after sus-
taining damage to their
homes after the Septem-
Photo by Donna George ber 2008 flood. Her posi-
Melanie Parker at GNS office.
tion requires her to visit
their homes to investigate
the needs of the client and
“They have opened to ask routine questions,
more than their doors, but Melanie views her job
as more personal. She
they have opened said she always takes the
their hearts,” opportunity on her first
visit to allow the client to
- Melanie Parker get comfortable having
LARRI in their home. “I
http://www.larri.info like to help people and
make them feel comfort-
able; I like to talk the talk
and walk the walk,” she
said. Melanie works
closely with her clients
until the construction
phase, where she has to
let go and let the process
continue to flow. “It’s
hard sometimes, and I tell
my clients to call me if
they really need me, but I
know the process of let-
ting go is important,” she
said.
Most memorable mo-
ments: Melanie said she
cannot choose just one
memory from her time at
LARRI, but said she al-
ways enjoys seeing the
clients’ smiles as the
cases are closed. When
she sees the reactions
from homeowners who
have had their homes, and
hearts, restored by
LARRI, Melanie said she
cannot help but feel as
though she is in the right
place. “When I see what
LARRI does, and the re-
action I get from clients, I
know God has placed me
here for a reason.”

Control Continued from Page 1

Director for Illinois, describes
Flood control is a
the process for proper,
nationwide company that
professional removal of water
helps people handle natural
and mold mitigation from a
catastrophe that may occur
home. in commercial or
“We get a call from LARRI residential properties. For
about a flooded home, we then more information, call
go in and remove the water. (800) - 973 - 0041
Once the water is gone and we
have a relatively dry structure,
continues, “There is not a lot of
we create evaporation using
knowledge about the mold-the
our equipment. Three to five
damage it can do to people’s
days later, the structure is dry
homes, and can cause them to be
and prepared for
sick as well. Mold often results
reconstruction.” Wilnau
from people doing it themselves–
trying to remove water and dry
out their basements the best they
can.”
It is for this reason that Wilnau
feels passionately about
continuing to help LARRI in
reconstruction efforts. In another
testament to their willingness to
Photo provided
keep people safe, Flood Control
Anthony Steinke & Dan Wilnau
has also done pro bono work for
some homeowners affected by the
2008 flood who did not qualify for
assistance.
Wilnau and Flood Control are
currently putting Site supervisors
from LARRI through IICRC,
Institute of Inspection Cleaning and
Restoration Certification, water
restoration courses. The goal is to
make sure job sites are safe for
volunteers and contractors going in
to do work.
For Wilnau,
it is all about,
“helping to
create a safe
environment
for LARRI to
move forward
with their
work.” Photo provided
Anthony Steinke explains mold remediation
techniques to Purdue camera crew.
Volume 1, Issue II Page 5

AmeriCorps NCCC Volunteer Work Instrumental to LARRI success

By Kasie Tenbarge
The AmeriCorps NCCC
(National Civilian
Community Corps) has
been working with LARRI
for more than a year to
bring teams of volunteers to
help with reconstruction.
For LARRI, the efforts of
the volunteers from NCCC
have been instrumental in
helping to get people back
into their homes. The
AmeriCorps experience,
however, is much more
than being there to cut trim
and put up drywall.
“The goal for each
AmeriCorps team volunteer
in the program is to create
service-based learning; to
learn about the community
in which they are working,
and to learn about the
impact this disaster had on
the community. By being a
part of this, we are creating
that sense of life-long
service towards that goal,”
said JJ Trotta, Assistant
Program Director for NCCC,
North Central Region.
Trotta’s job on the regional
level is to prep sponsors, such
as LARRI and the volunteer
teams that will be working on-
site, about what it means to
work with NCCC. He has
helped to facilitate the arrival
of five teams of AmeriCorps
volunteers that have worked
with LARRI. The fifth team is
currently on-site through June
11, and is led by June Carlson.
Carlson said the best part
about working with LARRI is,
“The staff at LARRI is very
responsive and organized, and
this allows us to get a lot of
work done.”
Her team will work nine to
ten hours each day, meeting
with LARRI site supervisors
and helping with everything
from painting to prepping
flooring. Like Trotta, Carlson
feels that the commitment
from the volunteers who are a
part of the AmeriCorps program
cannot be overstated.
“I would like people to know
that this is a huge commitment
for team members just trying to
do as much good as possible.
This is an opportunity for young
people to take advantage,
especially before going to
college, to learn so much about
the world and to gain maturity
and personal development.”
Everyone associated with
LARRI, from homeowners
affected by the floods to the
LARRI staff in the field and in
the office, are all so thankful for
the help that the NCCC team
members continue to provide.
Jane Deligatti, Director of
LARRI, sums up this sentiment,
“We are so fortunate to have the
fifth team of AmeriCorps
volunteers. They are young,
enterprising individuals, all here
for the good of the cause. It has
been phenomenal working with
them, and they are a lot of fun
too!”

“The staff at
LARRI is very
responsive and
organized, and
Photo provided
allows us to get a
AmeriCorps NCCC
lot of work done,” volunteers take a break from
work for a quick photo
-June Carlson
Photo provided
AmeriCorps NCCC volunteers help
Photo provided
rebuild client home in Lake Station
AmeriCorps NCCC
Leader June Carlson
LAKESHORE
AREA
Lakeshore Area Regional Recovery of Indiana committee is created in
REGIONAL accordance with the laws of Indiana with the purpose of coordination of
RECOVERY OF disaster recovery in Northwest Indiana Planning as defined by the State
INDIANA of Indiana, including Lake, Porter and La Porte Counties by sharing in-
formation, simplifying residents access to services and jointly resolving
Lakeshore Area cases with natural disaster-caused needs.
Regional Recovery of
Indiana There are still hundreds of homes in dire need of restoration.
9200 Calumet
Avenue Suite N-510 New cases come to our attention almost every day.
Munster, Ind. 46321
Volunteers of all skill levels are needed to help restore homes to a liv-
Phone: 219. 836.1325 able condition. We are in need of construction materials, tools, and
Fax:: 219. 836.1546 housing for volunteer teams.
E-mail: To learn how you can help call:
info@larri.info
(219) 836-1325 or toll free at (877) LARRI4U. [877-527-7448]

Letter from the Director

Our monthly newsletter exists to further the mission of LARRI, which is to
assist in recovery from disaster through the coordination of community re-
sources, sharing of information and reconnecting lives to hope, specifically
for the survivors of the September 2008 flood.

We welcome suggestions for volunteers, clients, etc. that you would like to
see featured in upcoming editions of the LARRI newsletter. Forward sugges-
tions to Donna George, communications coordinator, at
dgeorge@larri.info. Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Jane Delligatti, Director

Lakeshore Area Regional Recovery of Indiana

Photo Provided
LARRI Director,
Jane Delligatti