Foundation Donates To Mercy Corps Hurricane Relief

In response to the disaster of Hurricane Katrina, the Harrington Family Foundation has made a $10,000 donation to Mercy Corps, a Portland, Oregon based relief organization with a long history of supporting children and helping them heal after natural disasters and other crises, both domestically and internationally. Mercy Corps was a vital presence in the aftermath of 9/11 and the Indian Ocean Tsunami, as well as, a continuing presence in Darfur, Sudan.

The following is an excerpt from the Mercy Corps website:

“The effect of a disaster like Hurricane Katrina can have a lasting traumatic impact on survivors, especially children. Children in particular are vulnerable to trauma, as it is more difficult for them to make sense of what has happened.

Mercy Corps will support psychosocial programs that help the survivors overcome their trauma, with a special emphasis on children. We will work with schools, daycare centers, children’s service agencies and other local groups to provide appropriate psychosocial support to children. We will focus on activities that restore healthy activities and routines for children, as well as ways to engage the children themselves in the planning and implementation of programs.

In the coming months, Mercy Corps will utilize the lessons it’s learned and experience it’s gained to make a critical difference for children who have suffered loss from Hurricane Katrina. Through partnerships with schools, daycare centers and local child service agencies, we will get kids the material, educational and psychological support they need to address the trauma of this event.”

The Harrington Family Foundation encourages everyone to offer support to the victims of Hurricane Katrina either by financial contribution, donation of goods or services, or volunteering to directly assist those affected by this disaster. To learn more about Mercy Corps, please visit their website at www.mercycorps.org.