“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill
1,699 days ago, was the beginning of the Almeda Wildfire that swept through our Valley. Many people think wow that was four plus years ago and all is well. All isn’t well. There are still many people who are waiting to permanently resettle. New developments are coming on stream to help with both home ownership and permanent rental housing.
Just a refresher on what we lost those days in 2020, we lost 2,605 residential units, 198 commercial buildings, and 6 public buildings. This included 18 mobile home parks, two apartment complexes, two older hotels where people lived and one senior assisted living complex. We did lose 3 lives that day.
Many people have struggled to continue their daily lives, and they are profoundly resilient. Losing everything isn’t often about the thing that was lost but, in fact, it’s about the energy and love attached to those things that are not gone forever. So much has been written about the wildfires and so many more disasters have happened that it’s easy to forget or not to be present for those still working to get permanently rehoused.
Oregon’s HARP (Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program) funding is finally giving out award letters which is why United Way, Rogue Food Unites and the Teresa McCormick Center are coming together under the Jackson County Community Long Term Recovery Group to raise personal care items and cleaning supplies for those moving into their permanent home! You can help! We estimate that it costs $150 to purchase these supplies and you can donate by clicking here, or mail a check for $150 to United Way of Jackson County, or purchase some items and drop them by our office, 60 Hawthorne St., Medford OR 97504.
We’re all here for the long haul and want people to know it as they finally move home. May those who move in bring the love and support this community has to offer.
Thank you for helping!
Onward.
