Final Update: Thursday, April 28 2016
The multi-agency resource center for seniors displaced from the Southview Place Towers apartments closed on Wednesday, April 27. However, help is still available for those affected by this disaster.
People who were affected by the apartment fire are encouraged to register with the Red Cross for casework services, assistance and help with their long-term recovery. You can do so by calling 303-607-4796 and leaving a message; a caseworker will call you back within 24 hours.
HOW TO HELP
At this time, food, clothing, and furniture needs of the evacuees of this apartment fire are being directly met through the collaborative efforts of the agencies, non-profits and religious groups listed below. If you would like to support these efforts, please consider making a financial donation to one of these organizations.
You can also make a financial donation to the Southview Apartments Fire Victims Fund, administered by Arapahoe County.
The most pressing immediate needs for which we are seeking help are landlords/property owners who have vacant, ADA-compliant, affordable apartment units available to lease to the seniors, who will not be able to return to their apartments and need appropriate, affordable housing to move into as a permanent new home. Ideally, these units are in the greater Littleton/Arapahoe County area. Landlords with vacancies should contact Arapahoe County Housing and Community Development: Liana Escott at 303-738-8066.
The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on the generosity of volunteers and donors to carry out its mission. If you would like to help people affected by this fire and other disasters large and small in Colorado, please consider donating at redcross.org/colorado or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION/PAST INFORMATION
On Wednesday, April 6, the American Red Cross opened a shelter for seniors evacuated from the Southview Place Towers apartments in Littleton. The Red Cross operated a shelter for the displaced residents until Saturday, April 16, when all residents who were staying at the shelter were successfully placed in temporary accommodations in apartments, assisted care communities, and hotels. The shelter closed on Saturday, April 16, but the Red Cross continues to deliver services and meet with affected residents.
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| The Red Cross shelter provided more than 150 overnight stays. |
SUMMARY OF SERVICES
While the shelter was open, up to 100 evacuees from the apartment complex came to the site each day to attend informational updates, eat meals, get clothing and access a variety of services such as Red Cross health services, clothing, laundry, and emotional and spiritual support.
From Wednesday, April 6, through Wednesday, April 27:
- The Red Cross, the Knights of Columbus and The Salvation Army served more than 1,850 meals and snacks.
- Red Cross nurses had more than 300 contacts with evacuees to help replace medications, check on their medical status and provide basic care.
- Red Cross mental health workers made more than 250 contacts with the seniors to support their emotional well-being. Additionally, emotional and spiritual care experts from The Salvation Army have been providing comfort for evacuees.
- The shelter provided more than 150 overnight stays.
FOOD: The Red Cross, The Salvation Army and the Knights of Columbus served meals at 7 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m. daily through Friday, April 15. Breakfast for remaining residents was served on Saturday morning prior to closing the shelter to place it on standby, as all residents had been placed in more comfortable housing.
HEALTH AND MEDICAL NEEDS:
Red Cross nurses staffed the shelter 24/7 from April 6 through April 16, checking regularly on shelter residents and helping with basic medical needs and medication refills.
• Evacuees can still request help refilling prescriptions for medications. Call 303-607-4796 and leave a message; a Red Cross caseworker will return phone calls within 24 hours.
CLOTHING
Community members and local nonprofit Love INC have purchased new underwear and clothing for shelter residents.
- Seniors who have not yet received clothing and still need it can contact Love INC with their clothing sizes to request a fresh set of clothes.
- The Savers thrift store on S. Datura and Littleton Blvd. is offering a deep discount on clothing and bedding for all individuals evacuated from the apartment building. Please meet with Red Cross casework to receive a confirmation slip to show to the store.
EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT
Mental Health experts and spiritual care volunteers from The Salvation Army and the Red Cross were on site at the shelter to provide emotional support from April 6 through April 16. They will continue to be available to provide comfort in coming weeks. Please call the Red Cross casework line to meet with a care provider.
PETS
Pets are an important part of many families, and their needs were being met by shelter provided by the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley. Evacuees can board their pets at the Humane Society for free.
MULTI-AGENCY RESOURCE CENTERThe American Red Cross and several community partners operated a multi-agency resource center at the Life Center, 5804 S. Datura St., Littleton, to help meet the needs of seniors who were displaced due to a fire at the Southview Place Towers apartment complex fire on April 6, 2016.
- Packing and moving services
- Vouchers for clothing
- Real estate searches for available housing
- Food pantry
- Veterans assistance
- Gift cards to King Soopers and Safeway
- Gift cards to Savers
- Limited financial assistance
- Help refilling medications
- Weekday transportation
- Select furnishings
- Spiritual care and direction
- Referrals for other services such as mental health and counseling
This blog will no longer be updated after Monday, May 2, 2016. Thank you for following our updates!