Local and state agencies that can help St. Louis County community members recover from recent wildfires will be at the Hoyt Lakes Arena June 17th and June 18th for a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) event.
United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) is organizing the two-day open-house event which will serve as a one-stop-shop for impacted residents.
“Recovering from a disaster at the individual and household level is an often lengthy and confusing process,” said St. Louis County Emergency Management Coordinator Josh Brinkman. “A Multi Agency Resource Center is a way to put various forms of assistance all under one roof in an attempt to make it easier for residents to find the help that they might need.”
Agencies are still signing on to participate, and organizers hope for comprehensive resources including financial assistance, replacement of medical supplies or equipment, emotional and spiritual counseling, cleanup assistance, legal advice, advocacy with government and insurance claims, and many other services useful following a disaster.
Early participants include St. Louis County Public Health, 2-1-1, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Justice North, UWNEMN, and Minnesota Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (MNVOAD). MNVOAD plans to have many member agencies available.
“We hope to see as many of our neighbors affected by this disaster as possible during the MARC,” said MNVOAD Secretary Steve Hartman.
The MARC has been planned to accommodate a variety of schedules. Food and childcare will be provided. Hours are 3-7 pm June 17th (dinner provided) and 7-11 am June 18th (breakfast provided).
Organizers are working diligently to get the word out about this MARC and ask community members to help spread the word to neighbors who may benefit.
“In the case of a fire, we don’t have doors to knock on or mailboxes to put flyers in,” Unhjem said. “We are hopeful that impacted individuals who have not already been contacted by the county or Red Cross will attend so we can connect them with meaningful resources.”
If you are unable to attend the MARC or have questions prior to the MARC, please contact Unhjem at emily@unitedwaynemn.org or 218-215-2425.