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Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts Supported by Kessler Foundation

2013-01-04 15:24:51 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WEST ORANGE, N.J.—Kessler Foundation has awarded nine grants, totaling $58,440, to non-profit organizations that serve people with disabilities in storm-affected areas. The grants, from the Foundation’s Hurricane Sandy Emergency Fund, address the immediate needs of these organizations to resume operations or fill needs for special equipment and accessible housing. The Fund is supported by ongoing donations and the proceeds of the Foundation’s Hurricane Sandy Relief Benefit, held on November 15.

“As recovery continues, we must not forget people with disabilities,” said Rodger DeRose, president and chief executive officer of Kessler Foundation. “Many lost wheelchairs, medical equipment, modified vehicles and access to accessible housing. In essence, they lost their means of independence. Some were unable to go to work, which caused an even greater financial strain. At Kessler Foundation, we pledge our support to the organizations that provide the important services that people with disabilities need even more in Sandy’s aftermath.”

The following organizations received funding from Kessler Foundation’s Hurricane Sandy Emergency Fund:

  • 21 Plus, Inc., in Toms River, N.J., received $2,500 to contribute to the relocation of residents of Bayview Group Home, which was demolished by Hurricane Sandy.
  • Cheshire Home, in Florham Park, N.J., received $8,040 to ensure that the facility is fully equipped to maximize safety and well-being during prolonged electrical and heating outages.
  • Hudson Community Enterprises—a social enterprise that primarily employs individuals with disabilities—headquartered in Jersey City, N.J., received $2,500 to purchase a new server and other equipment that was damaged during the storm.
  • Jewish Family Service of Atlantic County, in Margate, N.J., received $10,000 to provide emergency financial assistance to constituents impacted by the storm.
  • Jewish Vocational Service of Metrowest, in East Orange, N.J., received $4,400 to provide stipends of $50 to individuals with disabilities who lost up to a week’s wages.
  • The New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society received $8,000 to provide funding for lost or damaged medical equipment as well as home and car modifications for clients disabled by MS.
  • Ocean Mental Health Services, in Bayville, N.J., received $7,000 to relocate five displaced consumers with mental health disabilities to permanent housing.
  • Our House, Inc., in West Orange, N.J., received $8,000 to restore office operations and continue to meet payroll for office staff, the employment services program and residential health care workers.
  • Portlight Strategies, Inc., in Johns Island, S.C., received $8,000 to restore and replace durable medical equipment and assistive devices lost or damaged by the storm.

 

Kessler Foundation established the Hurricane Sandy Emergency Fund to help people with disabilities recover from the storm. The Fund consists of donations from the Foundation’s event, Rebuilding Lives after Hurricane Sandy: A Benefit for People with Disabilities, as well as other Foundation monies. 

About Kessler Foundation
Kessler Foundation, a large public charity in the field of disability, conducts rehabilitation research in mobility and cognition that advances the care of people with multiple sclerosis, brain injury, stroke and spinal cord injury. Kessler Foundation is one of eight centers in the U.S. to have NIDRR-funded model systems for both traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. Kessler Foundation Program Center fosters new approaches to the persistently high rates of unemployment among people disabled by injury or disease. Targeted grant making funds promising programs across the nation.

Find us at KesslerFoundation.org
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Follow us @KesslerFound twitter.com/#!/KesslerFound

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Contacts:
Lauren Scrivo, 973.324.8384, 973.768.6583-c, [email protected]
Carolann Murphy, 973.324.8382, [email protected]