There is no doubt that the residents of South Louisiana breathe a collective sigh of relief once the calendar hits December 1st every year, the official end to hurricane season. But for many others, the stressors of post-hurricane life can include a complicated, years-long journey back to a normal life.

Disaster Case Manager Cheryl Strickland (left) with Chavon Johnson

Chavon Johnson, a single mother of four, was wrapping up repairs and finishing touches on her new home in Destrehan in August 2021 when Hurricane Ida came ashore.

The mobile home, given to her by her aunt, was a blessing. Following some personal struggles, including a divorce, the home came into her life at the perfect time.

“She definitely came in like a Godsend and gave me and my children somewhere to live. I turned it into a home. Then unfortunately it was destroyed,” Chavon said.

Just like so many in the River Parishes, the damage to Chavon’s home was extensive. A tree fell on her home, and all the windows were broken, which allowed hours of rainfall to soak the inside and destroy all furnishings and most possessions. Fortunately, FEMA replaced Chavon’s home with temporary housing and provided some financial assistance, which was quickly exhausted.

When Chavon was deemed ineligible for additional assistance from the Restore Repair Program, her multiple attempts to correct the situation were unsuccessful. She eventually connected with Cheryl Strickland, Disaster Case Manager with Spirit of Hope at Catholic Charities. The program, which has been assisting people affected by Hurricane Ida since 2021, was recently given a six-month extension to operate until this August.

Due to a mixup, FEMA had on record that Chavon was a renter, not a  homeowner, which disqualified her for assistance from Restore. Cheryl began a dialogue with FEMA and got everything corrected, ensuring she received the necessary assistance. 

Cheryl and Spirit of Hope were also instrumental in helping Chavon acquire financial assistance to purchase her FEMA unit before the February 28th deadline this year. The lengthy process took three months, but ensured Chavon would not have to pay the hefty fines for those without an exit or purchase plan.

“My joy is seeing people get back into their homes. It was vital to get funders to understand this was a single mother with kids that deserved to have permanent housing,” Cheryl said. 

When asked about what’s next, Chavon is excited to move forward in her now permanent home.

“I want to thank everyone for all their help.There are so many blessings. I really appreciate it,” Chavon said.