Helene & Milton: We need Your Involvement

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Dear Friend,

In recent weeks, the southeastern United States has faced unimaginable challenges in the wake of Hurricane Helene and now the looming threat of Hurricane Milton. Inspiritus is unwavering in our commitment to empowering survivors as they begin the long road to recovery. With simultaneous deployments across multiple cities, we are in urgent need of your help to ensure the success of our disaster response efforts.

As Hurricane Milton bears down on Fort Myers, FL — where we continue long-term recovery operations for survivors of Hurricane Ian — our Disaster Relief teams are closely monitoring the situation and preparing to respond. Due to the severity of the storm, which has now strengthened to a Category 5, our teams have safely evacuated our bases in Valdosta, GA, and Fort Myers. They have temporarily relocated to Columbus, GA, where they will remain until conditions are safe to resume operations.

In addition to our preparations for Hurricane Milton, we are still responding to Hurricane Helene. We will be opening a new base of operations in Augusta, GA, on Friday, October 11, with work scheduled to begin on Saturday, October 12. We are in desperate need of volunteers, especially Team Leaders, to join us in this critical work. If Hurricane Milton causes significant damage to the Fort Myers area, our volunteer teams will be mobilized for local cleanup efforts as soon as it is safe.

Our teams are awaiting confirmation to establish a base in East Tennessee, near the North Carolina and Virginia state lines, to maximize our impact and assist more families and individuals affected by Hurricane Helene in Mountain City and surrounding areas. If activated, we will urgently need volunteers to support these efforts. We expect to have more details by the end of the week and will keep you informed as needs evolve.

This vital work is only possible thanks to the support of our dedicated disaster relief partners:

HOW YOU CAN HELP

VOLUNTEER:

Our efforts are powered by compassionate volunteers who have traveled from across the country to lend their hands and hearts. We’re currently seeking more volunteers to join us in supporting those impacted by Hurricane Helene - particularly Team Leaders. However, whether you’re skilled in disaster response or simply eager to make a difference, we welcome your support. To volunteer, click the button below.

DONATE:

If you’re unable to volunteer, your donation can help us provide the supplies and resources necessary to assist more families on their road to recovery. Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to helping communities heal and rebuild. Your support will provide free Debris Removal, Muck & Gut, Chainsaw, Mold Sanitation and Heavy Equipment services to help families affected, especially those who can't recover without help. To donate, click the button below.

Thank you for standing with us as we work alongside local communities, partners, and volunteers to provide critical support to those in need. Your generosity and compassion makes all the difference.
 

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Helene: Survivors Need Your Help

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Dear Friend,

The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene has left countless families and communities across the southeastern United States struggling to recover. Right now, Inspiritus Disaster Relief Teams are on the ground in Valdosta, GA and Madison, FL providing free assistance to help storm survivors rebuild their homes and lives. We are preparing to open a second response site that will be located in Augusta, GA and will have more information soon. Volunteers are needed.

Our teams are providing essential services, including Debris Removal, Muck & Gut, Mold Sanitation, Chainsaw, and Heavy Equipment services wherever needed most, with priority on assisting those most vulnerable, including families with children, seniors, veterans, and low-income households. These critical services are bringing much needed hope to families impacted by the storm, but we need your help to continue this life-changing work.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

VOLUNTEER:

Our efforts are powered by compassionate volunteers who have traveled from across the country to lend their hands and hearts. We’re currently seeking more volunteers to join us in supporting those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Whether you’re skilled in disaster response or simply eager to make a difference, we welcome your support. To volunteer, click the button below.

DONATE:

If you’re unable to volunteer, your donation can help us provide the supplies and resources necessary to assist more families on their road to recovery. Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to helping communities heal and rebuild. Your support will provide free Debris Removal, Muck & Gut, Chainsaw, and Mold Sanitation services to help families affected, especially those who can't recover without help. To donate, click the button below.

Thank you for standing with us as we work alongside local communities, partners, and volunteers to provide critical support to those in need. Your generosity and compassion makes all the difference.
 

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

The Presidential Declaration

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Dear Friends,

Each year, the White House announces the number of refugees that will be welcomed into the US in the coming year. On behalf of the Inspiritus Refugees & Immigrants services team, we are excited to share the 2025 Presidential Declaration. Click the button below to read now. 

To further support our Refugee & Immigrant Services programming, visit our website to DONATE or VOLUNTEER.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Hurricane Helene: We Need Your Help

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Dear Friends,

In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastation, many of you have reached out, asking how you can help those affected. 

Inspiritus disaster relief teams are on the ground in Valdosta, Georgia, and Madison, Florida, working tirelessly to support survivors and guide them on the road to recovery. With your continued support, we hope to open an additional volunteer camp in the Savannah, Georgia region and will keep you updated as things develop. However, the scale of the destruction is immense, and we need your help to continue providing life-changing support.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE:

We encourage you to support our Hurricane Helene Response efforts by donating. The more funds we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground continuing to help families and individuals impacted by the storm. Your support will provide free Debris Removal, Muck & Gut, Chainsaw, and Mold Sanitation services to help families affected, especially those who can't recover without help.

VOLUNTEER:

If you would like to make an impact and empower hurricane survivors on the road to recovery, please consider joining our Disaster Relief Team on the ground in Valdosta, GA and Madison, FL. All skill levels are welcome and no prior training is needed to make an impact. If you want to help, but are unable to travel, we are also looking for volunteers to answer Crisis Clean Up calls, which can be done from home. 

Our work would not be possible without the support of volunteers like you, committed to assisting survivors in their darkest hours. If you are interested in volunteering, please click the button below.

Thank you for standing with us as we work alongside local communities, partners, and volunteers to provide critical support to those in need. Your generosity and compassion makes all the difference.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Helene Teams Deployed: Your Help is Needed

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Dear Friends,

As Hurricane Helene continues to devastate communities across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, we wanted to provide an important update on our ongoing relief efforts. Inspiritus teams were prepositioned in coastal Georgia early last week, anticipating the widespread destruction along the southern coast of Georgia and northern Florida. To best support the impacted areas, we established a base camp at Camp Tygart in Valdosta, GA on Saturday to support both the south Georgia and north Florida regions.

Since then, our teams have been actively providing critical relief in and around Valdosta, GA and Madison, FL, including chainsaw operations and heavy equipment support for debris removal. Despite having no power or water at the base camp, our teams are pushing forward to meet the urgent needs of these communities.

“We’ve never seen anything like this” shares Sherry Buresh, Inspiritus Disaster Relief Director.

Hurricane Helene has caused devastation across multiple states since making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region on Sept. 26. Some areas have seen over 30 inches of rainfall, with storm surges reaching up to 10 feet. More than two million people remain without power across Florida, Georgia, South Carolinas, and North Carolina. Response efforts are ongoing, but many areas, especially communities throughout Tennessee and the Carolinas, remain cut off due to flooding and blocked roads. Tragically, over 116 lives have been lost, with North Carolina reporting the highest number of fatalities and over 1,000 people still missing. 

We are actively monitoring calls with the Florida VOAD, Georgia VOAD, and Tennessee VOAD, as well as Emergency Operations Centers. Given the widespread destruction, and if we secure much needed support, we are hopeful to set up two more bases in other impacted areas, allowing us to expand our reach and operations.

With so many communities still struggling and not receiving the help they need, WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE. Your support, whether through volunteering or financial contributions, is critical to ensuring we can continue delivering help to those hardest hit by this storm. Inspiritus staff, clients, supporters and neighbors in our local communities have unfortunately been impacted by this storm and need your help.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE:

We encourage you to support our Hurricane Helene Response efforts by donating. The more funds we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground continuing to help families and individuals impacted by the storm. Your support will provide free Debris Removal, Muck & Gut, Chainsaw, and Mold Sanitation services to help families affected, especially those who can't recover without help.
 

VOLUNTEER:

If you would like to make an impact and empower hurricane survivors on the road to recovery, please consider joining our Disaster Relief Team on the ground in Valdosta, GA and Madison, FL. Our work would not be possible without the support of volunteers like you, committed to assisting survivors in their darkest hours. If you are interested in volunteering, please click the button below.

Thank you for standing with us as we work alongside local communities, partners, and volunteers to provide critical support to those in need. Your generosity and compassion makes all the difference.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Hurricane Debby Response Update

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Dear Friends,

It has been seven weeks since Hurricane Debby made landfall, leaving a trail of devastation across Georgia, particularly in Lowndes and Chatham counties. In Chatham County, around Savannah, the storm triggered severe flooding, prompting evacuations and water rescues by local emergency responders. Meanwhile, in Lowndes County, areas near Valdosta faced powerful winds and heavy rainfall, leading to tornado warnings and widespread power outages. The State of Georgia deployed National Guard troops to assist in the emergency response, particularly in coastal and low-lying areas.

On August 14, 2024, Inspiritus Disaster Response teams arrived in Lowndes and Chatham counties to support survivors on their road to recovery. Our teams provided free Muck & Gut, Debris Removal, Chainsaw, Roof Tarping, and Heavy Equipment services wherever needed most, with priority on assisting those most vulnerable, including families with children, seniors, veterans, and low-income households.

During our six-week deployment, with the unwavering support of our partners, volunteers, and generous donors, we empowered 722 survivors on their journey from surviving to thriving.

IN THE NEWS: HURRICANE DEBBY COVERAGE

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE IMAGE TO PLAY NEWS CLIP

Linked below are additional news features highlighting the incredible work led by our staff, volunteer leaders, and Team Depot employees from local stores in response to Hurricane Debby:

WHAT WE DID:

  • Capacity Building: Inspiritus staff coordinated with local emergency and city/county officials to assist with local capacity building efforts. While staff actively supported operations in and around Lowndes and Chatham counties, they also assisted leaders in other local towns and counties to help them assess and manage the people and resources they needed. 

  • Home Assessments, Debris Removal, Muck & Gut, Chainsaw, Roof Tarping and Heavy Equipment Services: Volunteers conducted Home Assessments and provided free Muck & Gut, Debris Removal, Chainsaw, Roof Tarping, and Heavy Equipment Services for local residents’ homes where it was safe to enter.

  • Support & Care: Volunteers accompanied survivors as they navigated one of the most difficult tragedies and challenges of their lives. In this accompaniment, we walk alongside each individual we come in contact with, helping them to tap into the resilience within themselves. Prayer and spiritual encouragement is often greatly appreciated by many survivors and Inspiritus volunteers often provide this comforting and empowering form of care, when it is welcomed. Hope and hugs are often powerfully strengthening for survivors during their darkest hours.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Hurricane Debby: Inspiritus Teams Deployed

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Dear Friends,

As you may know, Hurricane Debby has caused significant damage throughout the state of Georgia, particularly in Lowndes and Chatham counties. In Savannah, the storm brought about unprecedented flooding, with the city receiving nearly 10 inches of rain—more than twice the typical rainfall for the entire month of August. The flooding severely impacted neighborhoods, submerged roads, and led to widespread power outages. In Lowndes County, the situation was similarly dire, with heavy rains causing rivers and creeks to overflow, leading to road closures and widespread property damage. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has extended the State of Emergency, deploying the National Guard and other state resources to assist with road repairs, debris removal, and emergency services. Sadly, Hurricane Debby has resulted in the death of at least 14 people across several states, including Georgia. 

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Project Tasks & Activities:

Inspiritus Disaster Response Teams have been deployed to Lowndes and Chatham Counties and will arrive on Wednesday, August 14. We will be providing a range of critical services, including debris removal, muck and gut, mold sanitation, chainsaw assistance, and small tarp jobs. Additionally, we have heavy equipment teams on standby, prepared to deploy as needed. These services will be provided wherever needed most, with priority on assisting those who are the most vulnerable, families with children, seniors, veterans, and especially low-income households.

To support our volunteers and maximize our impact, we have secured housing at Garden City United Methodist Church in Savannah, which is centrally located to allow us to reach impacted homeowners in Bulloch, Chatham, and Effingham counties efficiently. Additionally, we have secured housing accommodations at the Georgia Bible Camp in Hahira, GA, situated in Lowndes County, to support our efforts in assisting the local community. Inspiritus is also partnering with International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), and other organizations to ensure homeowners get the comprehensive support they need during this time. As of now, our teams will remain on the ground for the next 30 days.

Projected Outcomes:

  • Providing Debris Removal, Muck & Gut, Chainsaw, and Mold Sanitation, services to communities as needed/available

  • Providing Free Home Needs Assessments

  • Support Individuals Impacted by the Disaster

Community Benefit:

Inspiritus is working to build local disaster response capacities, while also providing direct services to survivors.

  • Capacity Building: Inspiritus is partnering with local emergency and city/county officials to build local disaster response capacity, as needed.

  • Direct Services: Inspiritus staff and volunteers are providing Home Needs Assessments, Debris Removal, and Chainsaw services, along with emotional care to bring safety and peace of mind to homeowners requesting assistance. 

  • Support & Care: Volunteers are accompanying survivors as they navigate one of the most difficult tragedies and challenges of their lives. In this accompaniment, we walk alongside each individual we come in contact with, helping them to tap into the resilience within themselves. Prayer and spiritual encouragement is often greatly appreciated by many survivors and Inspiritus volunteers often provide this comforting and empowering form of care, when it is welcomed. Hope and hugs are often powerfully strengthening for survivors during their darkest hours.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE:

We encourage you to support our Hurricane Debby Response response efforts by donating. The more funds we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground continuing to help families and individuals impacted by the storm. Your support will provide free Debris Removal, Muck & Gut, Chainsaw, and Mold Sanitation services to help families affected, especially those who can't recover without help.
 

VOLUNTEER:

If you would like to make an impact and empower hurricane survivors on the road to recovery, please consider joining our Disaster Relief Team on the ground in Lowndes and Chatham Counties. Our work would not be possible without the support of volunteers like you, committed to assisting survivors in their darkest hours. If you are interested in volunteering, please click the button below.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

DONATE:

Donate to Inspiritus. The more funding we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground continuing to help families and individuals impacted by Hurricane Beryl. Your support will provide free Debris Removal, Muck & Gut, and Chainsaw services to help families affected by the storm, especially those who can't recover without help.

VOLUNTEER:

If you would like to make an impact and empower storm survivors on their road to recovery, please consider joining our Disaster Relief Team on the ground in Matagorda County. Our work would not be possible without the support of volunteers like you, committed to assisting survivors in their darkest hours. If you are interested in volunteering, please click the button below.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Features Inspiritus Refugee Story

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Lviv Croissants' first United States location is in Roswell, Georgia.

Dear Friends,

Inspiritus is proud to share the inspiring story Petro Dudnyk, featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Lviv Croissants, a cherished Ukrainian eatery, is opening its first U.S. location in Roswell, GA thanks in part to the support of Thrive Community Lending, an innovative new program launched by Inspiritus this year. Petro, a Ukrainian pastor and franchisee, has brought this beloved brand to our shores, blending culinary tradition with a commitment to raising awareness for important causes. We invite you to read the full article from the AJC, which captures the spirit of this venture and the impactful work being done through Inspiritus. Read Petro's full story below.

Ukrainian restaurant Lviv Croissants set to open its first U.S. location in Roswell

By: Yvonne Zusel

A Ukraine-based eatery that’s gained popularity since debuting in 2015 is set to open its first U.S. location in Roswell.

Lviv Croissants will open at 11 a.m. Aug. 10 at 610 W. Crossville Road, with the official grand opening Aug. 14.

Founded in the city of Lviv, Ukraine, the chain has since expanded to 189 stores across Ukraine, Poland and Slovakia.

The store is majority-owned by Lviv Croissants corporate and Brett Larrabee, CEO of Lviv Croissants USA. Ukraine native Petro Dudnyk also serves as a franchisee for the location. Dudnyk, a pastor who also co-owns a Lviv location in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, came to the U.S. in 2022 for his son’s wedding and stayed after war broke out in the country. He funded his portion of the U.S. location through Thrive Community Lending, which provides microloans for refugees and immigrants.

Larabee, who has been in the food franchising business for nearly 40 years, said he and co-founder Andrii Galytskyi have been wanting to bring Lviv to the U.S. for years. Larabee was traveling in Ukraine for work when he began noticing the long lines that would form outside Lviv restaurants.

“Every time I went by a Lviv, they were packed,” he said. “After 37 years, I know what works and what doesn’t, what consumers want and don’t want. Lviv has a high-quality product and offers great coffee, great food and a great ambience where people can go and hang out and be part of a community.”

Petro Dudnyk (right) with Inspiritus President & CEO John R. Moeller Jr. (left) at the opening of Lviv Croissant in Roswell, GA.

While the menu for the Roswell restaurant will be very similar to European locations, some minor tweaks have been made, including removing the cheeseburger and teriyaki croissants.

Savory sandwiches on the American menu include the pastrami croissant; the Lviv croissant with salami, ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and garlic sauce; roasted pepper chicken; Italian charcuterie with salami, prosciutto and capicola; and a turkey avocado BLT

Sweet croissant offerings including a strawberry and mascarpone croissant and an option filled with pistachio cream, while savory breakfast croissants include one filled with cabanossi sausage, Swiss cheese, egg and Sriracha aioli and another with lox and cream cheese

Rounding out the menu are a handful of salads, soups and sides, as well as an extensive beverage list with espresso drinks, teas, lemonades and smoothies.

In addition to bringing a flavor of his home country to the U.S., Dudnyk also hopes to bring awareness to events unfolding there

The cups at the Roswell location will feature a QR code enabling guests to get information on United for Ukrainian (U4U) Kids, a program that Dudnyk and his wife started to connect orphans from Ukraine to host families in America for one month. Last year, they connected 100 kids — many of whom lost a parent to the war— with host families in the U.S.

Larabee said Lviv “checks all the boxes” when it comes to brands that are set up for success, and he has plans, along with Galytskyi, to open hundreds of Lviv locations across the U.S. in the coming years

“One of the things I look for are brands that can withstand challenged and work in tough environments,” he said. “What this chain has proved to me is that it’s a very resilient brand and product that consumers really appreciate.

To support micro-loans for refugee small businesses like Lviv Croissant, click the button below and select the "Thrive Community Lending" fund.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Hurricane Debby: Pray for Those Impacted

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Dear Friends,

This morning, Hurricane Debby made landfall along the Big Bend coast of Florida as a Category 1 storm, causing extensive flooding and widespread power outages across the region before it's path continued toward Georgia and South Carolina. According to the National Hurricane Center, Debby, the fourth named storm of what is expected to be a historic hurricane season, made landfall at 7 a.m near the coastal town of Steinhatchee with maximum wind speeds of 80 mph. As the storm's path continues, The National Weather Service is reporting a high risk of flash flooding over southeast and central Georgia on Monday and Tuesday. Officials expect between seven and 10 inches of rain with 13 or more inches possible in the extreme southeast central part of the state. Georgia Governor, Brian Kemp, has officially declared a State of Emergency.

WHAT WE ARE DOING:

Inspiritus Disaster Relief staff are closely monitoring the storms impact, and our teams are preparing to deploy wherever needed most. Our primary focus is on Georgia's east coast, particularly in and around the Savannah area, where Inspiritus offices are located. In anticipation of the storms arrival, Inspiritus offices in the Savannah coastal region are closed. If called to respond, we will provide updates as reports come in and as our teams begin their relief efforts on the ground. 

Thank you for your support.
 

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Hurricane Beryl Disaster Response Update #2

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Dear Friends,

We are honored to share an inspiring update on our Hurricane Beryl Disaster Response efforts in Bay City, Texas. Inspiritus' dedicated Disaster Relief teams are hard at work providing critical assistance to the Sanford Community Center, a cornerstone of hope and unity for the Bay City community.

The Sanford Community Center (pictured below) has long been a vital resource for residents, offering a safe and welcoming space for youth, families, and visitors to engage in a variety of activities including art, ESL, poetry, and cooking classes, as well as hosting public events. Unfortunately, when Hurricane Beryl made landfall, the center suffered extensive damage. The hurricane’s fierce winds uprooted trees and left dangerous debris, including hanging limbs that now threaten the safety of the playground used by local children.

In response, our Inspiritus Disaster Relief teams have mobilized to provide essential chainsaw and swamping services. We are working diligently to clear the debris and ensure the Sanford Community Center can safely reopen its doors to the community as soon as possible.

This building is not only a community hub but also a significant historical landmark. Originally constructed in 1928 as The Palacios Colored School, it served as an educational facility during the segregation era in Texas (1928-1965). Following the end of segregation, the school closed in 1965 but was revitalized in 1967 as Rainbow Land Day Care, serving all children in Palacios until 2011. In 2016, the Palacios Community Coalition, a 501(c)(3) organization, purchased and transformed the historic property into the Sanford Community Center.

Our mission at Inspiritus is to empower communities and restore hope, and we are honored to contribute to the rehabilitation of this important center. Your ongoing support is crucial to our efforts, and we are deeply thankful for your commitment to our cause.

We will continue our Response in Matagorda County, Texas through August 9. There is still time to help and a great need for assistance of any volunteer skill level. Click the button below to learn how you or your group can empower Hurricane Beryl survivors on their road to recovery. 

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Project Tasks & Activities:

Our teams are providing free Home Assessment, Chainsaw, Debris Removal, and Muck & Gut services wherever needed most, with priority on assisting those who are the most vulnerable, families with children, seniors, veterans, and especially low-income households.

Current Outcomes:

  • 94 Storm Survivor Empowered

  • 363 Volunteer Hours Served

  • 49 Jobs Completed Across 24 Homes/Project Sites

Community Benefit: 

Inspiritus is working to build local disaster response capacities, while also providing direct services to survivors.

  • Capacity Building: Inspiritus is partnering with local emergency and city/county officials to build local disaster response capacity, as needed.

  • Direct Services: Inspiritus staff and volunteers are providing Home Needs Assessments, Debris Removal, Chainsaw services, and Muck & Gut Services, along with emotional care to bring safety and peace of mind to homeowners requesting assistance. 

  • Support & Care: Volunteers are accompanying survivors as they navigate one of the most difficult tragedies and challenges of their lives. In this accompaniment, we walk alongside each individual we come in contact with, helping them to tap into the resilience within themselves. Prayer and spiritual encouragement is often greatly appreciated by many survivors and Inspiritus volunteers often provide this comforting and empowering form of care, when it is welcomed. Hope and hugs are often powerfully strengthening for survivors during their darkest hours.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

DONATE:

Donate to Inspiritus. The more funding we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground continuing to help families and individuals impacted by Hurricane Beryl. Your support will provide free Debris Removal, Muck & Gut, and Chainsaw services to help families affected by the storm, especially those who can't recover without help.

VOLUNTEER:

If you would like to make an impact and empower storm survivors on their road to recovery, please consider joining our Disaster Relief Team on the ground in Matagorda County. Our work would not be possible without the support of volunteers like you, committed to assisting survivors in their darkest hours. If you are interested in volunteering, please click the button below.

On behalf of Inspiritus staff and communities impacted by Hurricane Beryl, we are grateful for the generous support from partners, like International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), First Presbyterian Church of Bay City, local government agencies, volunteers, and numerous others that are helping survivors safely return home.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Hurricane Beryl Disaster Response Update

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Dear Friends,

It has been two weeks since Hurricane Beryl made landfall in southern Texas as a Category 1 hurricane, leaving millions of residents without power and tragically claiming the lives of nearly two dozen individuals across the region. The storm brought damaging winds, heavy rain, widespread flooding, and power outages across southeast Texas. With wind speeds approaching 80 mph, Beryl impacted 121 counties across the coast of Texas and Louisiana. Of these counties, Matagorda, was one of the hardest hit.

Unfortunately, many of the communities impacted by Hurricane Beryl lack the economic resources and infrastructure needed to recover on their own. It will continue to take the efforts of local and national Response Teams and supporters like you to help affected residents rebuild their lives.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Project Tasks & Activities:

Inspiritus Disaster Response Teams are on the ground in Matagorda County assisting Hurricane Beryl survivors on their road to recovery.  Our teams arrived on July 12 and have extended our response through August 9. At the request of The Office of Emergency Management of Matagorda, Inspiritus has demobilized the VRC (Volunteer Reception Center) at The Bay City Civic Center. Our teams are providing free Home Assessment, Chainsaw, Debris Removal, and Muck & Gut services wherever needed most, with priority on assisting those who are the most vulnerable, families with children, seniors, veterans, and especially low-income households.

Projected Outcomes:

  • Providing Chainsaw, Debris Removal, and Muck & Gut services to communities as needed/available

  • Providing Free Home Needs Assessments

  • Support Individuals Impacted by the Disaster

Community Benefit:

Inspiritus is working to build local disaster response capacities, while also providing direct services to survivors.

  • Capacity Building: Inspiritus is partnering with local emergency and city/county officials to build local disaster response capacity, as needed.

  • Direct Services: Inspiritus staff and volunteers are providing Home Needs Assessments, Debris Removal, and Chainsaw services, along with emotional care to bring safety and peace of mind to homeowners requesting assistance. 

  • Support & Care: Volunteers are accompanying survivors as they navigate one of the most difficult tragedies and challenges of their lives. In this accompaniment, we walk alongside each individual we come in contact with, helping them to tap into the resilience within themselves. Prayer and spiritual encouragement is often greatly appreciated by many survivors and Inspiritus volunteers often provide this comforting and empowering form of care, when it is welcomed. Hope and hugs are often powerfully strengthening for survivors during their darkest hours.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE:

We encourage you to support our Hurricane Beryl Response response efforts by donating. The more funds we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground continuing to help families and individuals impacted by the storm. Your support will provide free Chainsaw, Debris Removal, and Muck & Gut services to help families affected, especially those who can't recover without help.

VOLUNTEER:

If you would like to make an impact and empower hurricane survivors on the road to recovery, please consider joining our Disaster Relief Team on the ground in Matagorda County. Our work would not be possible without the support of volunteers like you, committed to assisting survivors in their darkest hours. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact click the button below.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Hurricane Beryl: Inspiritus Teams Deployed

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Dear Friends,

Hurricane Beryl struck southern Texas as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, July 8th. This powerful storm unleashed torrential rain, leaving nearly 3 million residents without power and tragically claiming the lives of eight individuals in Texas and Louisiana. With wind speeds approaching 80 mph, Beryl turned roads into rivers, uprooted hundreds of trees, and left countless residents without shelter. Of the 121 counties impacted by Hurricane Beryl, Matagorda County was the “hardest hit” according to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. 

Unfortunately, many of the communities impacted by Hurricane Beryl lack the economic resources and infrastructure needed to recover on their own. It will continue to take the efforts of local and national Response Teams and supporters like you to help affected residents rebuild their lives.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Project Tasks & Activities:

As of July 12, Inspiritus Disaster Response Teams are on the ground in Matagorda County assisting hurricane survivors on the road to recovery. At the request of The Office of Emergency Management of Matagorda, Inspiritus will be managing a VRC (Volunteer Reception Center) at The Bay City Civic Center that will open Saturday morning. In addition to the VRC, our teams will provide free Home Assessment, Chainsaw, Debris Removal, and Muck & Gut services wherever needed most, with priority on assisting those who are the most vulnerable, families with children, seniors, veterans, and especially low-income households.

Projected Outcomes:

  • Providing Chainsaw, Debris Removal, and Muck & Gut services to communities as needed/available

  • Providing Free Home Needs Assessments

  • Support Individuals Impacted by the Disaster

Community Benefit:

Inspiritus is working to build local disaster response capacities, while also providing direct services to survivors.

  • Capacity Building: Inspiritus is partnering with local emergency and city/county officials to build local disaster response capacity, as needed.

  • Direct Services: Inspiritus staff and volunteers are providing Home Needs Assessments, Debris Removal, and Chainsaw services, along with emotional care to bring safety and peace of mind to homeowners requesting assistance. 

  • Support & Care: Volunteers are accompanying survivors as they navigate one of the most difficult tragedies and challenges of their lives. In this accompaniment, we walk alongside each individual we come in contact with, helping them to tap into the resilience within themselves. Prayer and spiritual encouragement is often greatly appreciated by many survivors and Inspiritus volunteers often provide this comforting and empowering form of care, when it is welcomed. Hope and hugs are often powerfully strengthening for survivors during their darkest hours.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE:

We encourage you to support our Hurricane Beryl Response response efforts by donating. The more funds we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground continuing to help families and individuals impacted by the storm. Your support will provide free Chainsaw, Debris Removal, and Muck & Gut services to help families affected, especially those who can't recover without help.

VOLUNTEER:

If you would like to make an impact and empower hurricane survivors on the road to recovery, please consider joining our Disaster Relief Team on the ground in Matagorda County. Our work would not be possible without the support of volunteers like you, committed to assisting survivors in their darkest hours. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact click the button below.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Christian Science Monitor Features Inspiritus Refugee Story

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Dear Friends,

Inspiritus is proud to share the inspiring story of Raga, featured in the Christian Science Monitor. Originally from Sudan, Raga endured years of hardship in a refugee camp in Darfur and later in Jordan before being resettled with her husband and two young daughters in Alabama in 2022. Since their arrival, Inspiritus has been by their side every step of the way, providing crucial support in securing housing, integrating into their new community, and connecting them with vital resources. Through the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of supporters like you, Raga and her family have not only found refuge but have also begun to rebuild their lives with newfound hope and resilience. Read Raga’s full story below.

Six immigrant stories tell the promises and pitfalls of the American dream

By Sarah Matusek

Raga always had to hide two decades ago when she was a young woman in Sudan. The Janjaweed militia in her area was known for spreading terror and raping women, so when they passed through she would bury herself under clothes, blankets, or whatever she could find. 

In the early 2000s, she joined countless other Sudanese who fled to an infamous camp for displaced people in Darfur. It offered little shelter from the horrors of war.

Born in 1988, Raga, who asked to use only her first name for privacy, lived in relative peace. Her father hung a swing from a tree. Her mother made orange juice. Without electricity, the moon shone so brightly that children could play games outside at night. They’d toss a coin or a bone, something that would shine, and then see who’d find it fastest on the moon-white ground.

Refugees sit inside a humanitarian truck at the Chad-Sudan border, March 6, 2008, as they await transfer from the border to a refugee camp for people displaced by fighting in Sudan

For a decade she waited in the Zamzam camp in Darfur. For seven more years she waited with her husband in Jordan. They registered with the United Nations as refugees. In 2022, an agency resettled the couple and their two young daughters in the U.S. A place called Alabama. 

They were excited when they first heard. But “when we first came, I wanted to leave,” Raga says in Arabic. She didn’t know anyone, and she was scared. 

With the help of a local resettlement agency, Inspiritus, the refugee couple secured a home and a few months of financial assistance. The nonprofit helped connect her to volunteers, and they grew into something like family, she says. When she and her husband struggled to get to the grocery store, one of their new friends gave them a gift: a used car.

The car guzzles a lot of gas, Raga says. “But we say, ‘Thank God.’” 

The weather in Sudan and Alabama, as it turns out, feels similar. The heat, the heavy rains, the lightning that cracks the sky. All the city lights in the Birmingham suburbs, though, dull the moon glow here. 

She feels happy and safe in the U.S. But once again, Raga finds herself waiting.

Learning English is a long-term goal. She dreams of opening a salon or a restaurant, but she knows that will take time. Her husband works, but their expenses outpace his modest income. She aches for her family members still in Sudan, worrying about their lack of food and medicine. She’s heartbroken that she’s unable to send them money, and that the violence endures. 

Raga finds solace in her Muslim faith. When she used to work at a church-run food pantry, she says her fellow workers didn’t object when she excused herself to pray, which she does faithfully, five times a day. 

“Religion doesn’t have a place or time,” she says. “You can do it anywhere.”

They face struggles, but Raga hopes that she and her husband can build a life in the U.S. that gives their young children a safe place to flourish. “I hope, God willing, I have all the strength to give them anything that they wish for,” Raga says. That includes a good education. 

She plays with her daughters, always addressing them in Arabic, and offers homemade orange juice to guests. The drink is sweet and silken on a warm spring day.

“I thought after being here a few months, I would be able to achieve all my dreams,” she says with a laugh. Two years have passed. “We try as hard as we can to stand on our own feet.” 

Yasmeen Othman contributed Arabic interpretation for Raga’s interview. Ms. Othman works for Inspiritus. 

Read 5 other inspiring stories by viewing the full article HERE.

If you would like to make a contribution to empower refugees on their paths from surviving to thriving, click the button below.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Join Inspiritus in Celebrating World Refugee Day!

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Dear Friends,

June 20th is World Refugee Day! Since its establishment in 2001, communities across the globe have gathered on this day to recognize the courage and resilience of those who have been forced to flee their home countries, and to similarly celebrate and uplift the social, cultural, and economic contributions they bring to the local communities and countries they now call “home.” We are hosting events commemorating World Refugee Day in Metro Atlanta, Savannah, Birmingham, and Nashville and invite you to join us for a day filled with delicious food, and festivities as we focus our attention to the plight of refugees globally and the importance of welcoming them here locally.

Now more than ever, it is imperative that we show up in support of refugees, asylum seekers, and others who have been displaced from their homes on account of war or persecution and are in need of humanitarian protection. Just this week, the U.S. announced sweeping changes to how we will respond to individuals seeking safety in our country. This disappointing new policy imposes a multitude of new obstacles that greatly restrict the ability of anyone in need of humanitarian protection to claim asylum. Providing safe haven to vulnerable people and welcoming the stranger is not only the right thing to do, it is also a right of anyone in the world to legally exercise.

While World Refugee Day is a day of community, cuisine, and culture, it is also about reaffirming our shared values that transcend differences and speak to our shared humanity. All of our events are taking place between Thursday, June 20th and Sunday, June 23rd and will include music, dance, and other cultural performances along with guest speakers, family activities, and tasty food from the home countries of our refugee and immigrant neighbors. Below you’ll find more details on the specific events happening near you!

Metro Atlanta, Georgia WRD Celebration

DATE: Saturday, June 22nd

TIME:11:00am-2:00pm

LOCATION: Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave, Clarkston, GA 30021

Savannah, Georgia WRD Celebration

DATE: Sunday, June 23rd

TIME: 3:00pm-6:00pm

LOCATION: Lake Mayer Park 1850 East Montgomery Cross RD. Savannah, GA 31406

This event requests that all guests RSVP. To learn more about this event and to register, click here.

Birmingham, Alabama WRD Celebration

DATE: Saturday, June 22nd

TIME:10:00am-2:00pm

LOCATION: Trinity United Methodist, West Campus, 914 Oak Grove Road Birmingham, AL 35209

Nashville, Tennessee WRD Celebration

DATE: Thursday, June 20th

TIME: 6:00-8:00pm

LOCATION: Plaza Mariachi, 3955 Nolensville Pk, Nashville, TN 37211

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our welcoming work and our larger mission of accompanying refugees on their paths from surviving to thriving. We hope to celebrate with you within the next few weeks!

If you would like to make a contribution to empower refugees, click the button below.

Sincerely,

Inspiritus' Refugee & Immigrant Services Team

Inspiritus Client Featured in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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Dear Friends,

Inspiritus is proud to share the inspiring story of Mirwais, featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. When Mirwais first arrived in the United States as an Afghan refugee in 2021, our Refugee & Immigrant Services team in Atlanta, GA, was there to support him. A former military officer in Afghanistan, Inspiritus helped him orient to the American workforce through our employment program. Now, Mirwais is using his newfound success to empower other refugees on their paths from surviving to thriving. Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter, Kelly Yamanouch, recently spoke with Mirwais about the incredible work he is doing to help bridge the divide. Read the full story below.


He fled Afghanistan. Now he helps other refugees find work in Atlanta.

By Kelly Yamanouch

Mirwais Nawab Jalali was a military officer in Afghanistan, assisting the U.S. government there for years in America's longest war, before he left the country in the middle of the night with just some documents and his clothes.

He has a degree in biomedical engineering and other advanced education, and he speaks six languages. But in 2021, after Kabul fell and the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan, "I just came and started from zero," Jalali said.

He eventually ended up here in Georgia, with a special immigrant visa for Afghans who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, living in Decatur while using his English language skills to help other refugees, and working in construction.

Later, a friend here who was an old classmate from Afghanistan told Jalali about a job at Unifi, an Atlanta-based aviation contractor. Unifi does ground handling, security, aircraft cabin cleaning and wheelchair assistance at Hartsfield-Jackson International and other airports around the country.

Jalali started working for Unifi in 2023, and now, as a recruiter for the company, he helps hire employees and get them started on the job.

With his deep connections to the Afghan community in metro Atlanta, Jalali is also helping Unifi with its recently announced goal to hire 500 refugees by 2027.

Mirwais Jalali, a recruiter for aviation contractor Unifi, gives new employees a tour of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, where he helps recruits throughout the company's hiring process. ARVIN TEMKAR/ARVIN.TEMKAR@AJC.COM

'We find a way'

In 2021, President Joe Biden launched an effort to support vulnerable Afghans resettling in the United States, including those who worked alongside Americans in Afghanistan over two decades.

In 2022, Biden announced a process for Ukrainian citizens to come to the United States and be considered for eligibility for work authorization.

In other cities such as Seattle, Unifi is working with a Ukrainian church to reach out to refugees, displaced by Russia's invasion.

In Atlanta, Jalali shares job opportunities with multiple refugee communities in metro Atlanta through WhatsApp groups, and he helps recruits throughout the hiring process, going through background checks to get airport badges, and even arranging carpools to help those without vehicles and driver's licenses get to work.

"When I started, it was very hard to bring a single refugee. But now we find a way," Jalali said.

He said many of the refugees he connects with live in Stone Mountain, Decatur and Clarkston, where the nonprofit Clarkston Community Center offers English as a Second Language classes, connections to legal help for refugees and other services.

Unifi already has hired more than 200 refugees since 2022, particularly at airports in Atlanta, Houston and Seattle.

It is one of more than 200 companies across the country that are members of the Tent Partnership for Refugees to help refugees find jobs in the United States.

They include Delta Air Lines, which is a part-owner of Unifi; Accenture, IHG Hotels & Resorts, UPS, Amazon, Google and others.

"Refugees are looking for jobs. Companies are in short supply," whether it's at a Starbucks or a McDonald's or a Target, said Archana Arcot, Unifi's chief people officer.

The post-pandemic travel surge has motivated Unifi to find more workers and decide to "start having a formal structure to go out and hire refugees," Arcot said.

"Programs like this take a lot more effort to set up (and) establish, but once you have the right structure ... then it creates a multiplier effect," Arcot said. She said the company is trying to build more ecosystems for refugee hiring, such as in Minneapolis.

Refugees have the advantage of coming with eligibility to work in the United States - so the employer doesn't need to sponsor a work visa, Arcot noted.

And airports have long been attractive to "people coming into the country looking for jobs," especially in cities such as Minneapolis, Detroit and in cities in border states such as New York and Seattle, she said. Airports also often have public transit to easily get to work.

Jobs at Unifi and at airlines typically offer flight benefits, which are valuable to those who want to fly back overseas to visit family members.

Airports also tend to have jobs that require physical labor, and where language skills are not as large a barrier, Arcot said. Many of the jobs start at $15 an hour, she said.

"Where you can place them is limited," Arcot said. But she also sees higher retention rates because those workers are "not trying to go and work at three different employers."

Those who speak languages other than English can do well in jobs such as loading snack carts for in-flight catering and janitorial work, especially working on teams together, she said.

Those with English language skills can qualify for customer service roles, according to Arcot.

There may be some restrictions in the kind of work some are comfortable doing, she said. With loading beverage carts, "they may not be comfortable touching liquor," Arcot said. "Knowing the culture and recognizing what in that culture works and where you can assign them work is important."

In Atlanta, Arcot said Jalali is a key part of that strategy as a "high-touch recruiter."

Jalali said with some recruits, they may not speak English, have never used a computer and don't have an email address. He completes applications for them and helps them set up an email address.

"You're making these commitments and investments for the long term," Arcot said.

The long-term goal is for the workers to advance to different jobs, use their language skills and help with "appealing to a multicultural customer passenger base, which will always be the topography of large international airports," she said.

Hogai Nassery, CEO of the Afghan American Alliance of Georgia, said upward mobility is important.

"We have some folks who are pretty well educated and speak pretty good English," Nassery said. "The jobs themselves are great-people need to land on their feet."

She also said, "Whatever they're doing now, I hope it's geared towards jobs that definitely have some legs."

Jobs at the airport, such as with Unifi, are seen as better than work in warehouses, chicken factories and manufacturing plants, said Shaista Amani, program manager at the Afghan American Alliance of Georgia. But she added that workers also need a way to move up, by gaining certified skills such as ServSafe certification for food handling.

But it is difficult for even well-educated Afghan refugees to find professional jobs if they don't have U.S. job experience or personal connections, she said.

Jalali also said he knows some workers who are highly educated and, like when he first arrived, are starting out all over again.

"We have doctors.... We have a minister," Jalali said.

"It's up to you how you want to build your future."

Disaster Teams Deploy to Columbia, Tennessee

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Dear Friends,

On Wednesday, May 8, a string of deadly tornadoes tore through Middle Tennessee causing extensive damage to homes and businesses, while claiming the lives of at least three individuals. According to the National Weather Service, this storm was one of the most widespread severe thunderstorm events to impact Middle Tennessee in the last decade. Three tornadoes were reported in Columbia, Tennessee and also in Robertson & Rutherford counties. With winds upward of 140 mph, Columbia, by far,  sustained the most damage of the impacted areas. 

Unfortunately, many of the communities impacted by these tornadoes lack the economic resources and infrastructure needed to recover on their own. It will continue to take the efforts of local and national Response Teams and supporters like you to help affected residents rebuild their lives.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Project Tasks & Activities:

Inspiritus Disaster Response Teams are on the ground in Columbia, TN assisting tornado survivors on their road to recovery. Our teams are providing free Home Assessments, Debris Removal, Chainsaw, and Heavy Equipment services wherever needed most, with priority on assisting those who are the most vulnerable, families with children, seniors, veterans, and especially low-income households. So far, our volunteer teams have served 148 hours, completing 30 Home Assessments and accompanying 14 individuals. In addition to this work, approximately 26 trees have been cut and moved to roadside. 

Projected Outcomes:

  • Providing Debris Removal, Chainsaw and Heavy Equipment services to communities as needed/available

  • Providing Free Home Needs Assessments

  • Support Individuals Impacted by the Disaster

Community Benefit:

Inspiritus is working to build local disaster response capacities, while also providing direct services to survivors.

  • Capacity Building: Inspiritus is partnering with local emergency and city/county officials to build local disaster response capacity, as needed.

  • Direct Services: Inspiritus staff and volunteers are providing Home Needs Assessments, Debris Removal, and Heavy Equipment services, along with emotional care to bring safety and peace of mind to homeowners requesting assistance. We are directly providing Home Assessments and Debris Removal (including chainsawing) to homes and public spaces. 

  • Support & Care: Volunteers are accompanying survivors as they navigate one of the most difficult tragedies and challenges of their lives. In this accompaniment, we walk alongside each individual we come in contact with, helping them to tap into the resilience within themselves. Prayer and spiritual encouragement is often greatly appreciated by many survivors and Inspiritus volunteers often provide this comforting and empowering form of care, when it is welcomed. Hope and hugs are often powerfully strengthening for survivors during their darkest hours.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE:

We encourage you to support our Middle Tennessee Tornado Response response efforts by donating. The more funds we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground continuing to help families and individuals impacted by the storm. Your support will provide free Debris Removal, Chainsaw, and Heavy Equipment services to help families affected, especially those who can't recover without help.

VOLUNTEER:

If you would like to make an impact and empower tornado survivors on the road to recovery, please consider joining our Disaster Relief Team on the ground in Columbia, Tennessee. Our work would not be possible without the support of volunteers like you, committed to assisting survivors in their darkest hours. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our Assistant Director, Julie Dimitrov, at julie.dimitrov@weinspirit.org or (843) 812-2189.
 

Thank you for your support.

 

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Our 2023 Annual Report is Here!

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It’s Here!
Inspiritus' 2023 Annual Report

Dear Friends,

Thanks to your generous support, Inspiritus had the privilege of empowering 11,124 individuals on their journeys from surviving to thriving in 2023! It was a year marked by significant growth, exceptional leadership, and a deepened commitment to our mission.

We are thrilled to share with you our 2023 Annual Report, which provides an in-depth look at our achievements and impact over the past year. Inside, you'll find inspiring stories of resilience, community impact, and transformation. Click the button below to read the full report.

Your ongoing support has been instrumental in helping us create thriving communities, and we invite you to explore the full report to see the difference you've made. Thank you for being an essential part of the Inspiritus family and for your continued commitment to our mission.



 

With gratitude,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

 

Final Texas Wildfires Update

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Dear Friends,

It's been seven weeks since power lines ignited massive wildfires across the Texas Panhandle that destroyed homes, killed thousands of livestock, and displaced countless residents throughout the region. On February 27, a state of emergency was declared by the Texas A&M Forest Service, as affected areas such as Hutchinson County, Randall County, Potter County, and the City of Amarillo, Texas reported hundreds of burned homes, thousands of livestock dead and destruction of crops, grasslands, and ranching infrastructure. Fueled by dry and windy conditions, the 2024 Texas Wildfires are considered one of the largest and most devastating fires in U.S. history. 

On March 9, 2024 Inspiritus Disaster Response teams were deployed to Amarillo, Texas to assist survivors of the Texas Wildfires on their road to recovery by providing free Debris Removal and coordinating Heavy Equipment services. These services were provided wherever needed most, with priority to those who are most vulnerable, including families with children, seniors, veterans, and especially low-income households.

Throughout the 3-week* deployment [Correction: Updated Deployment Time] in Hutchinson County, Inspiritus Disaster Relief partners, volunteers, and supporters helped empower 162 survivors on their path from surviving to thriving.

WHAT WE DID:

  • Capacity Building: Inspiritus staff coordinated with local emergency and city/county officials to assist with local capacity building efforts. While staff actively supported operations in and around the Amarillo area, they also assisted leaders in other local towns and counties to help them assess and manage the people and resources they needed. 

  • Volunteer Housing: Inspiritus established a volunteer housing base at The Trinity Nazarene Church of Borger, with the capacity to accommodate overnight volunteers on a daily basis. 

  • Home Assessments, Debris Removal, and Heavy Equipment Services: Volunteers conducted Home Assessments, provided free Debris Removal, and coordinated Heavy Equipment services for local residents’ homes where it was safe to enter.

  • Support & Care: Volunteers accompanied survivors as they navigated one of the most difficult tragedies and challenges of their lives. In this accompaniment, we walk alongside each individual we come in contact with, helping them to tap into the resilience within themselves. Prayer and spiritual encouragement is often greatly appreciated by many survivors and Inspiritus volunteers often provide this comforting and empowering form of care, when it is welcomed. Hope and hugs are often powerfully strengthening for survivors during their darkest hours.

This critical work would not have been possible without the support of Inspiritus donors, our incredible volunteers, and partners like The Home Depot Foundation, ToolBank USA, and Airlink - who generously provided needed tools, volunteer flights, and required personal protective equipment (PPE) for this response.

Thank you for your continued support and helping impacted communities find strength and resiliency during these difficult times. While our Texas Wildfires response operation has come to a close, you can learn more about Inspiritus' Disaster Relief efforts and the ways you can get involved by clicking the button below.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus 

April is Autism Acceptance Month

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Dear Friends,

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition. Other causes are not yet known. Scientists believe there are multiple causes of ASD that act together to change the most common ways people develop. We still have much to learn about these causes and how they impact people with ASD. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children in the United States today.

ASD begins before the age of 3 years and can last throughout a person’s life, although symptoms may improve over time. Some children show ASD symptoms within the first 12 months of life. In others, symptoms may not show up until 24 months of age or later. Some children with ASD gain new skills and meet developmental milestones until around 18 to 24 months of age, and then they stop gaining new skills or lose the skills they once had. Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes in life for people with autism.

People with ASD may behave, communicate, interact, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. There is often nothing about how they look that sets them apart from other people. The abilities of people with ASD can vary significantly. They may have difficulties developing and maintaining friendships, communicating with peers and adults, or understanding what behaviors are expected in school or on the job. These characteristics can make life very challenging. We still have much to learn about these causes and how they impact people with ASD. It is important to remember that Autism is treatable, and not a hopeless condition.

"If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”

– Maya Angelou

Welcome to the Team!

Crystal Gaulden - New Case Manager

Crystal comes with over 20+ years of experience in the field of social work. She has experience in various areas of social work, public mental health, substance abuse, homelessness to name a few areas. Crystal is a country girl at heart, a true GA Peach. She is a proud mother of two fur babies. Her hobbies include baking sweet treats, photography, adult kickball, and camping. We are so happy to have her as a Case Manager on the Disability Services team!

Upcoming Mandatory Meetings:

2024 Quarterly Support Companion Meeting Schedule

April 2, 2024, 11:00am-12:00pm - ROME

April 4, 2024, 11:00am-12:00pm - ATLANTA

April 11, 2024, 11:00am-12:00pm - SAVANNAH

April 17, 2024, 11:00am-12:00pm - ATHENS

We are so excited to see everyone at our in-person meetings in April!

The July Support Companion quarterly meeting will be held as a virtual meeting. The Zoom link will be sent through the family web portal.

Stay tuned for the October in-person meeting dates, times, and locations.

*Make sure to check your emails for the We Inspire Weekly newsletter for important information and reminders!

Inspiritus WE Awards

Inspiritus WE Awards

Through the family portal, SharePoint, and via email, every individual, Support Companion, and team member can nominate anyone for anything they do “With Excellence." Once a quarter, the Disability Services Leadership Team reviews all nominations for Excellence and chooses one individual, one Support Companion, and one team member who clearly embraces the key concepts of WE. Both a nomination and a quarterly selection earn points to receive Inspiritus SWAG and we highlight them in the quarterly newsletter!

*1st Highlight $10 + SWAG Bag

*2nd Highlight $15 + SWAG Bag

*3rd Highlight $25 + SWAG Bag

Support Companion Highlight:

Congratulations Florence Carpenter!

Ms. Carpenter has been with Inspiritus for 11 years! The work you do does not go unnoticed. We appreciate your dedication to our individuals, and we couldn't do it without providers like you. You make a difference. Thank you!

Individual Highlight:

Congratulations Marion Taksa!

Marion has been in services with Inspiritus for seven years! She is doing great at her placement with Ms. Carpenter. Marion is the sweetest and we are so thankful that we have the opportunity to serve her.

Team Member Highlight:

Congratulations Denise Parker!

Denise has been with Inspiritus for nine years and she is such a significant part of our Disability Services team! We can always depend on Denise to know the answer or find the answer. We appreciate her willingness to always help whenever she can. Denise is also a huge advocate for our individuals. She went to Washington, DC to participate in “Hill Day,” where she had the opportunity to talk to Georgia Senators, their staff, and other members of Congress about the important needs of individuals with disabilities and the direct care workforce. Thank you, Denise, for all that you do!

Our Individuals are Vibing & Thriving!

Director's Corner

April is also Stress Awareness Month

Since 1992, April has been recognized as National Stress Awareness Month to bring attention to the negative impact of stress. Managing stress is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Knowing how to manage stress can improve mental and physical well-being as well as minimize exacerbation of health-related issues.

It’s critical to recognize what stress and anxiety look like, take steps to build resilience, and know where to go for help.

Stress in minor to moderate doses may be expected, as the body is equipped to handle these reactions. However, ongoing or unattended stress can have serious consequences. Chronic stress impacts the entire body and can harm well-being in the long term.

Understanding the signs of stress may help you recognize them and find strategies that target the unique circumstances of your stressful situation.

Below are a few of these indicators:

  • Increased irritability and anger

  • A loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities

  • Mental burnout

  • Changes in appetite

  • Changes in sleep patterns

  • Gastrointestinal distress like nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and indigestion

  • Loneliness

  • Body aches and muscle tension

  • Mood swings

  • Feeling overwhelmed

  • Headaches, especially tension headaches or migraines

Steps to manage stress:

  • Take time for yourself

  • Try new routines and hobbies

  • Be active, eat healthy, and get plenty of rest

  • Stay connected and make new friends

  • Recognize and counter signs of stress

  • Seek help. Talk to someone you trust or a health care professional

As dedicated Support Companions, you must take care of yourselves first before you can take care of others. The work you do is very important, and it’s not easy. We are hoping you do what is necessary for your health, including managing stress, by following some of the recommended self-care suggestions.

We appreciate each of you!

Warm regards,

LaWanda

On Call Information

Weekdays: 5:00pm – 8:30am

Weekends: Friday 5:00pm – Monday 8:30am

Holidays: All day until 8:30am the next weekday morning

*Life threatening emergencies require calling 911 or an immediate Emergency Room/ Emergency Department visit followed by notification to the on-all number (or to your Case Manager during normal business hours).

Action Alert: Keep Our Communities Welcoming!

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Dear Friends,

As proposed pieces of legislation continue to advance during state legislative sessions across the country, we want to raise your attention to some anti-immigrant bills that have unfortunately been gaining some traction in the states of Georgia and Tennessee. As time ticks, it will become more imperative (and challenging) to stop these bills from advancing further.

We encourage you to call your lawmakers in your respective states and speak with their offices about these harmful pieces of legislation. Click here to identify your State Representative and State Senator and find their district number.

Read more below for a brief policy update on these bills and more information on how to take action.

Georgia: HB 1105, “Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act”

  • Requires local law enforcement agencies to act as federal immigration officers and arrest any individual they encounter whose immigration status they cannot verify and for whom they have probable cause to arrest based on impeding felony charges and misdemeanor charges- which includes minor traffic violations.

  • Withholds state and state-administered federal funding from local governments who do not choose to comply with this policy.

  • Subjects local police officers to be charged with a misdemeanor for not complying.

  • Requires sheriffs to hold individuals in custody indefinitely until their immigration status is confirmed by ICE.

  • Anyone suspected of being undocumented who is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor offense is required to provide a DNA sample.

  • This bill encourages profiling and will create a chilling effect across our communities, impacting our state workforce, local schools, and local neighborhoods.

Tennessee: HB 2124 & SB 2576

  • Similarly to Georgia’s HB 1105, would require all local law enforcement agencies in Tennessee to communicate, cooperate and assist federal immigration officials in detaining (ICE)

  • Perpetuates the possibility of family separation among immigrant families in TN.

  • Places a tremendous burden on local law enforcement agencies and hinders their ability to meet the needs of residents by requiring them to operate as immigration agents. This will further erode trust among immigrant communities and local law enforcement.

  • Waste of resources, time, and capacity for local law enforcement; infringes on the will of voters who elect Sheriffs to act with agency and local authority.

Tennessee: HB 1730 & SB 1717

  • Aims to require all written driver license examinations to be administered in English only.

  • Prohibits use of a translation dictionary, electronic device, or interpreter to assist with the examination.

  • This bill would harm our economy by making it more difficult for some workers to get licensed and drive to their workplaces.

  • As more people become unlicensed, driving and being on the road generally becomes more dangerous for all of us.

  • The fact that Tennessee already offers the exam in a number of languages is a good thing for our workforce, local communities, and individuals who are lawfully present in our country and only trying to live their lives. It is mean-spirited and counterproductive.

Thank you for standing in solidarity with us as we aim to protect and defend refugee and immigrant communities across the Southeast. We appreciate you lending your voice.

With gratitude,
Aimee Zangandou
Executive Director of Refugee & Immigrant Services
Inspiritus