SVDP-CEO, Richard B. Remp-Morris presents house keys to the Campbell family at their home dedication in Mayfield, Ky., on March 1, 2024. Pictured are (left to right) Adam Campbell, Lyric Campbell, Hope Campbell and Richard B. Remp-Morris. COURTESY OF SVDP
St. Vincent de Paul partners with The Hope Initiative to assist tornado rebuilding
BY BELINDA ABELL, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
The struggle continues for western Kentucky residents that experienced the devastating tornado of December 2021. Many are still without a permanent home. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Diocesan Council of Western Kentucky continues to support the necessary recovery work for tornado survivor families. Recently, SVDP-CEO Richard B. Remp-Morris, was asked by The Hope Initiative ministry to take part in a home dedication ceremony along with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear for tornado survivor families in Mayfield, Ky.
On March 1, 2024, six homes erected by The Hope Initiative were dedicated and presented to each family who will occupy the dwellings. (The Hope Initiative group assists tornado survivors who were renters but who never previously owned a home.) Those homes were furnished with SVDP’s House in A Box program. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Disaster Services Corporation (DSC) started this unique program several years ago to provide new furniture and housewares for those affected by natural disasters across the nation.
The Hope Initiative has a goal of building 500 homes for tornado survivor families. So far, a total of 54 homes have been erected by The Hope Initiative; 52 of those homes have been furnished through the House in A Box program. It is St. Vincent de Paul’s hope that we can continue to serve these tornado survivor families. In many cases, the mortgage payment for these newly-built homes is half or less than what the families were paying in rent.
Many ask, “Haven’t they finished rebuilding yet?” No, not all of the western Kentucky communities have rebuilt, that is why we need to look through Christ’s eyes when we are neighbors helping neighbors.
Belinda Abell is the external affairs director for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Diocesan Council of Western Kentucky, Inc.
Originally printed in the April 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
