Direct financial assistance will be in the hands of families affected by the July tornado starting Sept. 1.
The leaders of the Community Response Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region have committed an additional $1 million to address future direct assistance needs based on what nonprofits learn in the next weeks and months.
The funds mark the next phase of the Community Response Fund, a result of donations given by individuals or organizations as an immediate response to help people affected by the July 27 tornado. The Community Response Fund has raised more than $4 million to be distributed among nonprofits in areas affected by the tornadoes.
The Community Response Fund is managed by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, and the tornado relief and recovery is in collaboration with United Way Fox Cities and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation.
The fund is announcing at least $1 million to two local nonprofits which will provide direct financial assistance for families.
- LEAVEN will use the funds to provide direct financial assistance to families for essential basic needs including housing, transportation, childcare, utilities and more. The initial grant made to LEAVEN is $500,000.
- People of Progression will use the funds for direct financial assistance for basic needs as well as one-on-one individual support for those who need help navigating recovery assistance. The initial grant made to People of Progression is $500,000.
“Many people have asked us why we give the funding to nonprofits,” said Lisa Kogan-Praska, president & CEO of United Way Fox Cities. “These organizations already have trusted relationships with residents and have staff and processes in place to get help to families quickly and where it is most needed.”
There is no standard amount available to households because every family has been affected differently. Leaven and People of Progression will talk with individuals and families about what happened to their household, what they need help with immediately, and how difficult it is for the household to cover costs on its own. Assistance is based on the household’s current needs, not the total value of what was damaged or lost.
The process for families to get help is designed to be simple and flexible.
Both nonprofits will meet with individuals to confirm how the tornado affected their lives. Households will need to provide proof of their primary address, which will be checked against the official list of tornado-affected properties. From there, the nonprofits will talk with families about their immediate tornado-related needs and the assistance that may help.
Both organizations use the same guidelines to determine how much assistance a household may receive. They may work with families in different ways, so residents can start with the organization they are most comfortable working with. To get started, call or visit the organizations:
Leaven: leavenfoxcities.org, call (920) 738-9635 or email lcrc@leavenfoxcities.org
The organization is open Tuesday-Friday and has evening hours on Tuesday and Thursday. Please check specific hours on their website because hours may change based on residents’ needs.
People of Progression: Inn-person walk in help is available at 333 First St., Ste A, Menasha, WI 54952 or call 920-815-9487.
Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am–4pm. Thursday is 10am–4pm, by appointment only. · Information will be available on the website at peopleofprogression.com
