The USC School of Social Work expresses its heartfelt sympathy to Gulf Coast residents personally affected by Hurricane Katrina, including friends and families of our students, faculty and staff, as well as our social work colleagues. We are committed to supporting relief efforts and helping survivors cope with the aftermath of this devastating tragedy.

USC Offers Assistance to Students Affected by Hurricane
The School of Social Work at the University of Southern California will enable a limited number of students enrolled in Gulf Coast colleges and universities affected by Hurricane Katrina to attend classes at USC while earning credit at their home institutions. Because USC began its fall semester on August 22, students considering the program should carefully consider all options. "USC is currently entering the third week of classes, which may make enrollment and the subsequent workload difficult for students who are already enduring a very trying time," Dean Marilyn Flynn said. "We are prepared to go the extra mile to make it possible for students we admit under this limited status to make as much progress as they can before returning home." To date, three social work students from the affected regions are taking advantage of the offer.

Student Organization Coordinates Relief Collections
The School of Social Work's Student Organization, in cooperation with the USC Volunteer Center, is mobilizing its own relief efforts to help hurricane victims. Donations of money, clothing, shoes, books, toys, games, toiletries, diapers and baby formula will be distributed through the Salvation Army to the 20,000 children and adults who have been moved to emergency shelters in Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola, Fla.

How You Can Make a Difference

Dream Center
A non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the most basic needs of inner-city children and families, the Dream Center, located in the greater Los Angeles community of Echo Park, has made space for 300 displaced families from Louisiana. Accommodating, feeding and caring for this number of people (for potentially 3-6 months) is a massive financial and resource commitment. For a list of needs and volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, please visit www.dreamcenter.org

American Red Cross
Social workers (students, LCSWs, retired, etc.) are needed immediately and will be needed for an unknown period of time to assist the American Red Cross. Currently, both trained Red Cross volunteers, as well as social workers who want to be Red Cross volunteers, have an opportunity to help hurricane victims. Social workers who do not possess a license can volunteer as client caseworkers or for other needed activities. Licensed Clinical Social Workers are needed for mental health services. Interested volunteers should contact their local Red Cross chapter for current details and possible volunteer opportunities both locally and nationally.

To make a financial contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need, call (800) HELP-NOW or go to the American Red Cross web site at www.redcross.org to make a debit or credit card donation.

National Association of Social Workers
NASW has been working with local chapters to mobilize social workers for Hurricane Katrina relief and recovery efforts. Visit their site for information on current activities and how you can work with NASW to help: http://www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/events/katrina05/default.asp

National Foster Parent Association
To support foster families displaced by Hurricane Katrina, the public is being asked to donate good, usable clothing for the cause. While clothing for all ages is needed, there is a specific need for new underwear and clothing for infants aged 0-24 months.

Clothing donations should be sent via U.S. mail or UPS to the Adoptive and Foster Parent Association of Georgia, which has agreed to act as a distribution point for the affected families. Donations should be addressed to Sharon Carlson, 600 Bear Road, Bogart, GA, 30622. In addition, NFPA is collecting monetary donations, which will be used as cash grants and gift cards for affected foster families. Donations can be made online at www.NFPAinc.org or mailed to NFPA, 7512 Stanich Avenue #6, Gig Harbor, WA, 98335. Checks and money orders should be made payable to "NFPA Disaster Relief."