Safe Haven
Groundbreaking
January 19th, 2010
Turning the first shovels of dirt are,
from left, Gary Gambel, with Murphy Rogers Sloss and Gambel, event
sponsor for telethon this year; President of the Board Amber Narro,
former President Daryl Ferrara, Sen. Ben Nevers, former Rep. Diane
Winston, Options CEO Sylvia Bush, Options Development Director Mary
Pirosko, donor Ed Hoover, former Rep. Tank Powell, Architect Andrew
Gasaway.
Legislators, donors, businesses and friends of
Options gathered Tuesday to celebrate the start of construction on
the new hurricane shelter and training center at 19362 W. Shelton
Road. Read the Hammond Star article
here.
Rendition of Safe Haven
The Louisiana
State Bond Commission approved final funding for SAFE HAVEN at their July 30th
meeting. Now that all funds for construction are secured, OPTIONS will be able
to advertise for bids as soon as authorized to do so by the State Office of
Facility and Planning. A bid opening date has not yet been set. A
ground-breaking ceremony is planned with details to be announced in September or
October.
OPTIONS CEO
Sylvia Bush praised the action of the legislators, the governor, and the Bond
Commission in honoring their commitment to provide funds for a safe and secure
hurricane shelter for men and women with disabilities. “I know this has been a
tough year for the state financially, but Governor Bobby Jindal, Chief of
Administration Angele Davis, and the entire North Shore legislative delegation
recognized the importance of SAFE HAVEN and stood behind it,” Bush said. “All
of us are very grateful. I would especially like to thank the many members of
the community who sent letters and e-mails about SAFE HAVEN. It took a
united effort to achieve this goal.” Senator Ben Nevers led the effort to
secure funding for SAFE HAVEN.
SAFE HAVEN FAQ
What will SAFE
HAVEN include?
Safe Haven will be a 7,000 square foot building designed to withstand
Category 5 hurricane force winds. It will also include handicapped accessible
bathrooms and dressing areas, including showers for those who use
wheelchairs. It will have storage areas for cots, food, water, air mattresses,
health-care products, and other hurricane supplies. There will be dual gas generators designed to provide power for air conditioning
(which is necessary for individuals with medical issues) and for kitchen and
laundry facilities to maintain health and sanitation as well as a gas kitchen for heating food that is
healthy and meets the dietary needs of those
individuals who cannot tolerate salt, sugar, and/or preservatives
Why not evacuate?
OPTIONS
staff and volunteer Board of Directors believe strongly that SAFE HAVEN can meet
the needs of individuals with disabilities, especially those with multiple
disabilities and/or medical issues, in a safe and secure shelter in a familiar
area.
What has been the regional impact on OPTIONS
since Hurricane Katrina?
Due to the
close proximity to Orleans and St. Bernard parishes, many families are choosing
to relocate to Tangipahoa Parish.
The population of Tangipahoa
Parish has grown about 26% since Hurricane Katrina.
In addition, plans to close the Metropolitan
Developmental Center in Belle Chase will result in an additional need for
services in this area.
SAFE HAVEN will provide
services for individuals with disabilities who were displaced by Hurricane
Katrina as well as providing a shelter that is handicapped accessible for
individuals with multiple disabilities.
What will the building be for when not being used
as a shelter?
SAFE HAVEN is a
most cost-effective project because it will also be used on a daily basis as a
vocational training facility to help people acquire the skills they need to be
productive citizens.
The expanded Vocational Training Center will meet the needs of the increased
population of those with developmental disabilities in this area.
