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A West Philadelphia home for disaster survivors

The Daily Pennsylvanian

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

The Red Cross House Center for Disaster Recovery, directed by 2001 alumnus Chad Lassiter from the School of Social Policy & Practice, is a transitional housing facility and service center for survivors of disaster. The goal of the Red Cross House is simple — to move clients from disaster to recovery. It hosts 26 private family rooms and can accommodate 120 individuals at a time, including people with disabilities.

According to Lassiter, the Red Cross House ultimately strives to serve humanity. “We see the human spirit as being something that is our opportunity when they’re faced with adversity,” Lassiter said.

The Red Cross House serves as an alternative to the shelter system, which lacks the resources to offer similar opportunities for recovery and often forces families to live apart. During their stay, clients work closely with caseworkers and participate in a wide range of supportive programs. In executing a Family Recovery Plan, caseworkers help to ensure that families support themselves and maintain as normal a routine as possible. Clients may receive housing assistance from various public and private agencies.

“I think Penn students need to be aware that the Red Cross does more than just give blood,” Lassier explained. “When you look at the Medical school, the Nursing school and the work that Ira Harkavy is doing with the Netter Center, [Penn] does a lot in the community of West Philadelphia.”

Click here to read the whole Daily Pennsylvanian article.