Spring Break
Project Amigo: Helping Hurricane Victims
Issue date: 10/6/05 Section: Student Life
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SILVER CITY- For residents of the Gulf Coast whose lives were shattered by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the first Christmas after the loss of their homes and loved ones will be a critically difficult time. Sponsored by the Social Work Department and Campus Ministries at WNMU, and supported by volunteers from the community, Project Amigo plans to take comfort and cheer to the storm-battered residents of the Gulf during December.
The project will send two highly qualified teams of specially trained students and experienced social workers, counselors, substance abuse and early childhood specialists, occupational, massage, play, art, and drama therapists, and clergy from Southwest New Mexico to the Gulf Coast during December. Dr. Lynn Hall of the Counselor Education Program and Dr. John Bourdette of the Criminal Justice Program at WNMU, as well as trauma specialists from the community have volunteered to provide specialized training to the teams.
The project is being organized by the seniors in social work through a class that normally focuses on working with organizations and communities. "We decided to make our community project a real-world effort rather than just a textbook exercise," said Alice Jones, the instructor for the course. Students have combined their efforts with those of community members interested in a behavioral health response who attended a town hall meeting called by the Volunteer Center in the immediate aftermath of Katrina.
The philosophy of the project is based on best practices for mental health responses in the wake of a disaster. Research has shown that many people do not begin to experience serious symptoms of reaction to the trauma until the initial shock has passed and their immediate survival needs have been addressed. In their relief at being safe, many survivors at first develop feelings of optimism about the future. As they begin to make a more realistic assessment of the many challenges that lie ahead and the losses they have suffered, post-traumatic symptoms may begin to appear. Project Amigo will offer support as these feelings peak over the holiday season.
The project will send two highly qualified teams of specially trained students and experienced social workers, counselors, substance abuse and early childhood specialists, occupational, massage, play, art, and drama therapists, and clergy from Southwest New Mexico to the Gulf Coast during December. Dr. Lynn Hall of the Counselor Education Program and Dr. John Bourdette of the Criminal Justice Program at WNMU, as well as trauma specialists from the community have volunteered to provide specialized training to the teams.
The project is being organized by the seniors in social work through a class that normally focuses on working with organizations and communities. "We decided to make our community project a real-world effort rather than just a textbook exercise," said Alice Jones, the instructor for the course. Students have combined their efforts with those of community members interested in a behavioral health response who attended a town hall meeting called by the Volunteer Center in the immediate aftermath of Katrina.
The philosophy of the project is based on best practices for mental health responses in the wake of a disaster. Research has shown that many people do not begin to experience serious symptoms of reaction to the trauma until the initial shock has passed and their immediate survival needs have been addressed. In their relief at being safe, many survivors at first develop feelings of optimism about the future. As they begin to make a more realistic assessment of the many challenges that lie ahead and the losses they have suffered, post-traumatic symptoms may begin to appear. Project Amigo will offer support as these feelings peak over the holiday season.
