Catholic Charities: Oil leak syndrome expected to hit home

Catholic Charities of Houma, supported by the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, is preparing for battle – a type of warfare that is going to take more than just conventional weapons.

Lately, the Gulf of Mexico has been the epicenter of aims to keep crude from battering South Louisiana’s coastlines. The Deepwater Horizon rig, which erupted on April 22, continues to spew thousands of gallons of oil into the large body of water each day. Several attempts to cap the leak have failed and a permanent solution is still weeks away.

Robert Gorman, executive director of Catholic Charities Houma-Thibodaux, said the situation presents a lot of unanswered questions. “I think we’re in the same situation as most folks. We don’t know what the future holds, and that’s disconcerting,” he said.

However, that has not stopped Gorman and his team from trying to help. Two caseworkers from the organization were placed in Grand Isle, an area that has been washed over by the spill, on May 20. Another was stationed in Terrebonne less than a week later.

At the beginning, demand for the group’s services – help paying prescriptions, utilities and rent – was limited. “People were still trying to make it own their own,” said Gorman. However, they soon found out that was nearly impossible with the small amount of aid coming from BP.

Last week, caseworkers began reporting the first signs of a showing. Now, the group is processing about 12 requests a day and continues to hand out food vouchers that were purchased from local grocery stores.

“It’s really starting to pick up,” touted Gorman, explaining the group may have to put another caseworker in Terrebonne with the increased demand.

Through BP, Catholic Charities was able to harness $20,000 in funding for the first three months of operations in Grand Isle. About 31 percent of the organization’s funding comes from government contracts each year, said the director.

While some have complained BP has been slow to react, Gorman claimed the money was funneled to his agency through Catholic Charities of New Orleans “fairly quickly.”

On the financial front, it seems, officials are secure. But mentally, everyone is taking a beating.

Gorman predicts there will be an unprecedented demand for mental health services in the area because of the oil spill, a much different disaster than hurricanes – which are somewhat predictable and do not last as long. “You just don’t know what tomorrow’s going to bring,” he explained. “I mean, heck, I’m anxious. And we haven’t even gotten into the teeth of hurricane season yet.”

To address these needs, officials will be teaming up with a variety of local non-profits, churches and governmental agencies.

This year, to cap things off, Catholic Charities of Houma-Thibodaux will also be celebrating its 100th anniversary.

For aid in Grand Isle, call (985) 696-1943; in Terrebonne, (985) 876-0497.