Austin News

The Austin Disaster Relief Network Executive Director Daniel Djerassi says the organization is still working to help provide assistance to those hurt by the recent winter storms that hit Texas this past February. 

Djerassi explained that the ADR Network was founded in 2009, and has grown to be a network of approximately 200 churches in the greater Austin area. 

"We cover five counties, Caldwell, Bastrop, Travis, Williamson County and then Hays County," Djerassi said. "That that makes up the greater Austin area. We do go outside of our area if it's within one day drive and we're invited to go out."

When it comes to the most recent disaster to hit the Austin area, ADR Network has been helping people get their homes, and lives, back as much as possible. 

"Right now there's a big effort going on behind the scenes with cleaning up homes, you know, whether it be mucking out or removing debris," Djerassi told Inside Austin during a recent podcast interview. "So that's for those that still need to be removed or need their home to be cleaned, cleaned up, knocked out, which is removing of maybe carpet walls because of the main line breaks in their home. We also are working with plumbers that are in town that are nonprofit plumbing or actually providing plumbers for free, free, free labor and free material support."

Djerassi said the ADR Network is also offering other types of assistance to those impacted by the winter storm. 

"We're asking for survivors, people that have been impacted by the storm to go on our website," he said. "And there's a survivor intake schedule, online program where they can schedule time to come into the intake center to talk to some of our volunteers to not only here so we can hear your story, but also so we can maybe provide financial aid and begin the process of getting you back on your feet."

The ADR Network does not help only those after a storm, or disaster hits, Djerassi said. He said that the network also offers preparedness training. 

"We have around 18 different types of training so we could prepare people," he said. "Let's say you're one that you want to become a yellow shirt, you want a badge, you want to get behind the yellow tape and interact with survivors. Well, we do have a, you know, some forms you have to fill out that are there and you have to go through an orientation. And then once you do, there's a whole ton of trainings open up front, whether it be spiritual trainings, emotional trainings or physical trainings. And even how to get your own family prepared at your house, but then we have another pathway for maybe volunteers that don't want to be part of the network and they just want to tell us when, what to do, where to go and where."

Djerassi said to find out more about volunteering, to for those needing relief, visit the website or call 800-329-8052.