In this time of national crisis and overwhelming tragedy, here is what you can do to help with the relief effort or find support.

After Hurricane Katrina, several IDFPR staff people went to Louisiana as part of a team of Illinois State employees.  Since returning to Illinois, several of them shared their insights about the people they met, the work they did and the ongoing need for support for the victims.

Gertrude Kelly
Deeann Brooks
James Koehl
Susan Kessinger

For State Government Help Lines, please click here: Hurricane Katrina Assistance     

• American Red Cross: 1-800-435-7669

• Salvation Army: 1-800-264-6412

• Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, Inc.

• Mississippi Office of the Governor

• Alabama Office of the Governor

• America's Second Harvest: 1-800-344-8070

• United Way: 1-800-272-4630

• MercyCorps: 1-888-256-1900

• Habitat for Humanity: 1-800-422-4828

• USA Freedom Corps

• Humane Society of the United States: 1-888-344-8070

• For more organizations on how you can donate or offer goods and services, visit Network for Good or GuideStar.

• For a list of local resources and relief funds visit Council on Foundations.

Volunteer:
As recovery and relief efforts begin to assist victims, well-meaning volunteers are being urged not to report directly to the affected areas unless directed by a volunteer agency.

The Office of The Surgeon General and the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness are in the process of mobilizing and identifying healthcare professionals and relief personnel. If you are a Healthcare Professional or relief personnel with medical or health-related expertise, please go to:

• US Department of Health & Human Services

• Salvation Army

• USA Freedom Corps

• View photos of children looking for parents, missing children and missing adults. www.missingkids.com or call 800-THE LOST(800-843-5678)

• Visit the Family Links Registry to register yourself, a missing loved one or to view the list. Call 1-877-LOVED-1S (1-877-568-3317)

• The American Red Cross has limited information about shelters and services: 1-866-438-4636.

• Louisiana Department of Insurance, Phone Numbers for Hurricane Katrina victims.

• FEMA Disaster Assistance: The only way to register for federal and state disaster assistance is by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) toll-free registration line: 1-800-621-3362 / 1-800-462-7585 (TTY)

• These state agency websites have links to the National Hurricane Center and other weather-related links. They also offer advice on how to cope with an emergency situation:

• Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

• Mississippi Emergency Management Agency

• Alabama Emergency Management Agency

• For disaster and hurricane insurance information, visit the Hurricane Insurance Information Center.

• FDIC information for consumers and bankers in the affected areas. Please click here: FDIC Information

• Illinois Department of Employment Security