Committee aims to provide community long-term recovery services from January tornado

Just after the Jan. 12 tornado, FEMA and other organizations were on the ground in Selma offering short-term aid. But in many cases, that help was not enough to put homes back as they were before the storm.

Now there is a committee to provide tornado victims with long-term help.

The Selma Long-Term Recovery Committee, led by Jay Gilmer, consists of 15 local citizens from all parts of the community. “They represent a lot of different business, faith and nonprofit organizations, so it’s a good cross section of our community,” Gilmer said.

The committee’s primary focus will be repairing and rebuilding homes “to ensure that we see our fellow residents fully recover from the storm,” Gilmer said. “We’re working closely with the City of Selma, the Selma Housing Authority and other key local stakeholders.”

Services will be provided regardless of the individual’s race, creed, color, gender, disability or religious preference. All damaged or destroyed buildings can potentially qualify, whether it’s a modern home or one of the city’s iconic historic homes.

Gilmer said the three-phase system starts with intake and case management. The Selma Long Term Recovery Committee is working with Umcor, a national case management organization specializing in disaster response, relief and recovery. The committee is similar to those used in other hard-hit communities, such as Tuscaloosa, that had a committee like this for recovery from the 2011 tornado.

“(Umcor) has a well-defined intake process” for people who need assistance, Gilmer said. Umcor has already begun outreach based on FEMA registration. Umcor will examine each case to ensure it qualifies for assistance.

Gilmer made it clear that the group will not be able to help everyone. They will help as many as possible based on the resources they have, the family’s financial situation and how bad the damage is.

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Once a case has qualified for assistance, it goes to the funding phase. “That could be financial, it could be donations of materials. It will be determined based on the need,” Gilmer said.

The group is working with many local and national organizations that want to help with long-term tornado recovery in Selma. Individual cases will be presented to the organizations for funding.

“Once a case is funded, it will be passed to one of our construction partners,” Gilmer said. “They will restore or rebuild that home.”

Gilmer said along with the rebuilding of the physical buildings, the group will provide “wrap-around services, whether it’s counseling, spiritual care or some other social piece, so it’s not just building a physical place.”

Umcor is making phone calls and sending texts to residents who are on the FEMA roles. Gilmer encouraged people to respond to the messages. A list of necessary documentation will be provided during the first contact. Gilmer said anyone with questions can call 334-544-9038 or send an email to disasterinfo@awfumc.org.

There is always room for more donations to help with recovery. Gilmer said the Selma Long-Term Recovery Group is working alongside many local and national fundraising partners to advance recovery services for families impacted by the tornado. The Black Belt Community Foundation and United Way of Selma & Dallas County have funds set up to directly support recovery efforts in Selma. You can contribute financially by visiting the giving page for either partner. More information on how to give can be found at or www.selmaunitedway.org.

Members of the Selma Long-Term Recovery Committee are Lawrence Wofford – Selma Chapter President, NAACP & Board Member, Selma Housing Authority; Dianne Everette – Pastor, Church Street United Methodist Church; Jeff Cothran – Executive Director, United Way of Selma & Dallas County; Chris Spencer – Chief Community Engagement Officer, Black Belt Community Foundation; Thiea Wilson – Pastor, Temple Gate Seventh Day Adventist Church; John Grayson – Pastor, Gospel Tabernacle COGIC & Board Member, Selma Housing Authority; Mallory Kelly – Horticulturist, Auburn Extension Service; Sarah Aghedo – Community Director, Legacy Foundation of Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church; Miriam Bearden – Dietician & Board Member, United Way of Selma & Dallas County; Leodis Strong – Pastor, Brown Chapel AME Church; Steve Burton – Pastor, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church; David Daniels – Dallas County Coordinator, Alabama Cooperative Extension; Aubrey Carter – Alabama Power; Aaron Roper – Edmundite Missions; and Jay Gilmer – Community Volunteer.