Posted on September 1, 2006

Nonprofits Release Findings of Gulf Coast Listening Tour

According to findings from a series of town hall-style meetings conducted in June, adequate housing, employment, child care, health care, and transportation remain top priorities for Gulf Coast residents whose lives were impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Commissioned by Leadership 18 — a group of national organizations that includes the United Way of America and the Salvation Army — and conducted by Los Angeles-based Kelton Research, the 2006 Gulf Coast Listening Initiative identified communication, housing, employment, child care, transportation, clothing and household items, health care, and specialized needs as priorities for Gulf Coast residents.

In addition, physical and mental health issues, compounded by lack of insurance, damaged or destroyed healthcare facilities, lost patient records, and overwhelmed caseworkers, remain significant problems for Gulf residents. Research derived from the listening tour also identified a tremendous need for counseling, particularly for children; a lack of specialized physical and mental care for senior citizens; and families struggling with their inability to find loved ones.

"Much has been said about rebuilding buildings, structures, homes, and businesses after the devastating hurricanes of 2005," said John R. Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society and convening chair of Leadership 18. "The human service organizations that make up the Leadership 18 want to use their collective influence to put people first and build a better state of human existence by listening to the needs of the people."

To read or download the complete report, Voices From the Gulf Coast, visit the United Way Web site.