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To All Those Touched by Hurricane Katrina

A Message from NCDA, 09/30/2005

This article, by NCDA President Martha Russell, is reprinted here with permission from the NCDA website. Thank you, Martha, for your wonderful thoughts and words.

On behalf of our NCDA community, I would like to take a moment to express our deep concern and sorrow for the lives that have been lost, disrupted and changed forever in ways that many of us cannot even imagine. I know that each person in our society is being affected by the destruction and devastation and I would ask us to continue to support and care for each other in whatever method is most beneficial at this time and in the uncertain future. Help will be needed for many months and years ahead.

I know that many of you are asking what we, as an association and as individuals, might offer. And I also know that many of you are already doing miraculous things. Those in our community that are directly affected, that have lost someone, have relocated, have had their lives disrupted, please know that our hearts go out to you. And we individually stand ready to do what we can in order to support, communicate and assist.

The National Career Development Association (NCDA), in collaboration with many other career organizations, has launched VolunteersForCareers.com to help support those affected by Hurricane Katrina. This volunteer coalition was originated by leaders of Professional Resume Writing & Research Association, National Resume Writers’ Association, and Career Masters Institute following the tragedy of 9/11. It has been reactivated to assist Katrina victims in resume writing, job search strategies, and/or career transition.

Early images from the newspaper and television of Hurricane Katrina's annihilation were deeply sobering and saddening. Now, at this point, the more pressing needs of water, food, and shelter are being met, but that’s only the very beginning. Not only were houses and lives swept away in the floods, thousands of jobs—impacting people’s livelihood and sense of purpose—were also destroyed in Katrina’s wake. Last week alone, new unemployment claims jumped by 78,000. Thousands of men and women—white-collar and blue-collar alike—are now dealing with the reality of unexpected job loss.

Here’s what you can do to help:

1. Register with us to offer your expertise to those in need. Go to www.VolunteersForCareers.com and click “Become a Volunteer.” You can register to help in one or more of these areas: resume writing, job search strategy, and/or career transition.

2. Share your expertise and network with those coordinating this initiative. NCDA has set up a Forum to focus discussions on how the career development community is collaborating to assist in the recovery from this disaster. Click here to view the Katrina forum (www.ncda-forums.org/index.php?showforum=170<BR>). We encourage you to respond to Katrina-related topics that have been or will be set up and/or to create new topics on issues important to you.

3. Copy and paste or forward this announcement into an email and share with your career colleagues who might not have received it.

4. If you have contacts at any organizations that are helping Katrina victims and think they might be willing to add the Volunteers For Careers banner to their website, please send them a quick email asking for their assistance and directing them to the banner at the bottom of www.VolunteersForCareers.com.

5. Volunteer efforts are also being coordinated through the American Counseling Association and because of the tremendous need, professional counselors with a NCC or a LPC designation may be eligible, regardless of previous Red Cross training. For detailed information about volunteering, read the note below, and go to www.counseling.org/hurricane.

In the months ahead, the struggle to rebuild lives and find employment will become crucial. We will keep you informed as we learn of programs and initiatives. Your prayers, time, energy and dollars are needed and appreciated now and in the future.

With deepest respect for all,
Martha Russell
NCDA President 2005-2006

A NOTE FROM THE AMERICAN COUNSELING ASSOCIATION:

As a member of the American Red Cross (ARC) Partners for Effective Emergency Response, the American Counseling Association is working to recruit professional counselors to help with the emotional aftermath caused by Hurricane Katrina.

The Red Cross anticipates setting up 300 shelters in the Gulf Coast region. Because of the wide devastation caused by Katrina, each shelter is anticipated to serve 1,000 people and will be in operation for 90 days. Each of the 300 shelters will need 10 mental health volunteers, each of whom will serve for two to three weeks before returning home. As such, up to 15,000 mental health volunteers will be needed.

At this time, professional counselors who (1) hold an LPC (or equivalent) license, or (2) are certified as a National Certified Counselor (NCC), or (3) are currently certified/licensed as a school counselor and are able to travel to the Gulf Coast region for a minimum of 14 days are being recruited. Go to www.counseling.org/hurricane for details.

For details on the Relief Activities of the American Psychological Association, click here.