R3SM (Recover, Rebuild, Restore Southeast Mississippi)
United Way Financial Stability Partner
601.544.5115 | www.r3sm.org | Send Email
Who Are They?
The mission of R³SM is to coordinate recovery services designed to alleviate suffering and stress for the people of Forrest, Lamar and Perry counties who have unmet needs due to the occurrence of a disaster. R³SM’s primary focus is to support efforts to repair and rebuild homes and lives beginning with the most vulnerable first, including the elderly, disabled, single parents with minor-aged children, as well as evacuees from other hurricane impacted states. Additionally, as resources permit, persons are eligible to receive R³SM services as defined by its vulnerable population mission. Those with extreme housing needs (not related to hurricane damage) who have limited ability to alter their condition, will be considered for assistance. This aspect of future assistance will be accomplished in collaboration with non-profit, faith-based and governmental entities with similar goals designed to eradicate the existence of unsafe, unlivable, undesirable housing in Southeast Mississippi.
What Does United Way's Funding Do?
United Way funds help with operational expenses to assist the long-term disaster recovery program as it coordinates home repairs and re-builds.
The Impact of Your United Way Investment
Victims of natural disaster in our community receive long-term assistance that they otherwise would not receive.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers are needed to help with home repairs, new home builds, renovation to the R³SM volunteer house (located at 301 Buschman Street) and generic clerical/computer work.
Meet Angelo
Angelo Cooks is a 50-year-old single mother of 14-year-old twins. Angelo’s home was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Immediately following the storm, she and her family lived in a motel room for two months and used monies received from The American Red Cross to provide for daily living needs. Angelo is disabled and cannot work. She used all her monies to try to repair her damaged home but to no avail. She and her children moved back into the house and continued to live there. According to Angelo, the children sometimes lived with their father in order for them to be more comfortable. Her home was freezing cold inside during the winter.
Angelo does not have a church family that is involved in her recovery at this time or much family support. R³SM was happy to step in and improve Angelo’s living conditions. Angelo was a very active participant in the recovery efforts. She assisted with her rebuild in many ways by sanding the walls, cleaning up debris and helping with other methods of assistance that was needed. Her new home was dedicated on March 18, 2011. She is now the proud owner of a newly rebuilt home for her and her children. She stated that “her road has been long, but she got there.”