Toms River, Ocean County, New Jersey – The Long Term Recovery Group of Ocean County announced today, May 24,2013, that World Renew Disaster Response Services will be scheduled to conduct community ssessments of unmet needs throughout Ocean County.

The World Renew team of 24 members will do assessments of families impacted by Super Storm Sandy that have registered with FEMA for assistance as well as those who still have unmet needs. Through the World Renew teams, Ocean County residents impacted by the super storm will be prioritized and the results will be given to the Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group (www.oceancountyltrg.org ) for follow up. The teams will be schedule through out Ocean County on June 5 through June 17 at six convenient walk in centers.  The centers will be located in Manahawkin, Tuckerton, Lacey Township, Toms River, Brick, and Point Pleasant. Residents can go to any of the locations that will be set up in the three areas of the county: south, central, and north. There will be three days to access the centers in the north and south, and four days available in the central area of Ocean County. Thus, residents will have the ability to get to one of the centers within a ten day time frame. Residents who for health, or other reasons cannot get to one of the centers will be able to phone to make alternative arrangements.

The World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) is a national nonprofit organization based in Grand Rapids Michigan. Their mission is to respond to disaster situations throughout the U.S. and have done so for over 40 years. They have been assisting through out New Jersey and New York and recently completed services in Monmouth and Cape May Counties.

The Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group (Ocean County LTRG) was formed soon after Super Storm Sandy hit the Ocean County area. It consists of representatives from nonprofits, service agencies, faith based and government agencies, businesses, and other organizations. The mission is to provide recovery services to families and individuals impacted by the Super Storm Sandy and do so without respect to race, color, creed, gender, disability, or religious beliefs. The goal is to address and prioritize unmet needs and assist all residents in the recovery process.

The sites have been established to be convenient in location and times. Residents who have a  FEMA id number are reminded to bring it with them. Any Ocean County resident can go to any one of the six convenient walk in sites. Lighthouse Alliance Church and five local Elks Lodges have graciously donated the use of their facilities for the World Renew teams to meet and speak with residents.

Locations and dates of the walk in centers having World Renew Teams:

Central Ocean County                     Wed. June 5 – Sat. June 8, 2013

Toms River Elks, 600 Washington Street Toms River, NJ 08753

Lacey Township Elks, 900 Beach Blvd, Forked River, NJ, 08731

Wednesday, June 5                11am-7pm

Thursday, June 6                   11am-7pm

Friday, June 7                        11am-7pm

Saturday, June 8                    9am-4pm                                

Southern Ocean County                  Mon. June 10 – Wed. June 12

Manahawkin Elks, 520 Hilliard Blvd, Manahawkin, NJ  08050

Lighthouse Alliance Church, 455 Route 9 South, Tuckerton/LEH, NJ 08087

Monday, June 10                   11am-7pm

Tuesday, June 11                   11am-7pm

Wednesday, June12               9am-5pm

Northern Ocean County                  Fri. June 14 – Mon. June 17

Brick Elks, 2491 Hooper Ave., Brick, NJ 08723

Friday, June 14                      9am-5pm

Saturday, June 15                  9am-4pm

Monday, June 17                   9am-4pm

Point Pleasant Elks, 820 Arnold Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742

Friday, June 14                      11am-7pm

Saturday, June 15                  9am-4pm

Monday, June 17                   11am-7pm

Residents should check the Ocean County LTRG website (www.oceancountylrtg.org) or

call 732-569-3484 for any possible changes or updates.

Residents can visit the World Renew website (http://www.worldrenew.net/drs ) for more background information on their national missions.

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