Butler County Emergency Relief Initiative

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina...BERI is born.

In the days following Hurricane Katrina, community leaders and ministers gathered to discuss how they might help evacuees who were migrating to Butler County, and how we might respond to the rising fuel prices as a result of havoc along the Gulf Coast. Because of the newly formed VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), whose mission is to provide corrdinated support in disasters, response to families moving to this area was made seamless - and the community responded.

The United Way Board of Directors established the Butler County Emergency Relief Fund and initiative. The mission: To complement other agencies in meeting essential needs of Butler County residents whose lives have been affected by a significant emergency. The Board appointed an Oversight Commitee, consisting of:

Chairman, Commissioner Dale Pinkerton, Butler County
Corita Bauldoff, Community Volunteer
Bill Bittner, Seedplanter Ministries
Bryan Colbert, T.W. Phillips Gas and Oil Company
Betty Cordray, Community Volunteer
Reverend Randall Forester, St. Paul's Community Church
Reverend Bruce Geary, Retired, St. Peter's Episcopal Church
Fred Heintz, Neighborhood Legal Services
Honorable Marilyn Horan, Butler County
Susan Jeffries, Center for Community Resources
Deb McAllister, Butler County Community College
Leslie Osche, United Way of Butler County
Reverend Bob Thomas, Community Alliance Church
Richard Wilson, Family Business Chamber of Commerce

The 2006 Leardership Butler County Class took on the development of the Emergency Relief Initiative as their class project. Class members, working side by side with the Oversight Committee, developed the mission statement, by-laws, guidelines and communication plan. Through public & church congregational appeals, the fund has recognized over $85,000 in contributions.

As the needs of Katrina families subsided, (the fund provided for moving expenses, Christmas gifts, food, housing needs, utilities, etc.) the impending winter utility crises emerged. At least twenty different agencies gathered, and in a two-hour meeting developed a plan for response, at the center of which was the establishment of a Utility Integrated Point of Contact (UIPOC) at the Center for Community Resources. The Integrated Point of Contact coordinates utility assistance for Butler County residents with local providers such as the Assisstance Office, Housing Authority, Salvation Army, St. Vincent de paul, Catholic Charities, Public Utilities and Deliverable Fuel Providers. Churches, which often provided individual support, now refer those seeking assistance to the UIPOC and track the response through a postcard system. Their contributions to the Emergency Relief Fund provide support for individuals and families when all other resources have been exhausted.

An "800" number (1-800-481-3653) was donated for the UIPOC by Penn Telecom and continues to receive numberous calls per day. Thousands of households have received services through the UIPOC. Those receiving funds are asked to pledge 10 hours of community service over a 12 month time period.

But, BERI doesn't stop there! The initiative launched a series of energy summits designed to address long-term solutions for families struggling to pay utility bills. Through coordinated communication and planning, human service agencies, businesses, utility companies, churches, government officials and educational institutions will promote enrollment in utility company customer care programs; develop a relationship with the landlord's association to establish energy rating systems; create a housing guide for citizens; establish trainings and certificates for responsible renters; improve basic and financial literacy through budgeting programs, Earned Income Tax Credit Initiatitives and Savings programs; expand current literacy programs through the church community; launch a "Cold Busters" volunteer program to weatherize homes; and improve coordination and use of funds by establishing universal criteria for assistance and shared client software. For more information or to get involved, contact United Way at 724-285-4883.

The Emergency Relief Fund provides direct utility assistance and assistance with deliverable fuels, such as propane, kerosene and heating oil. The fund is accessed when all other sources have been exhausted and is managed by United Way of Butler County. A special Oversight Committee of community representatives monitors the use of the funds.

To donate to the Butler County Emergency Relief Initiative, please send checks made payable to "BERI" to:

Butler County Emergency Relief Intitiative
c/o United Way of Butler County
184 Pittsburgh Road
Butler, PA 16001