In Brevard, North Carolina, the Weissman family continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. Their home was inundated, leaving them faced with the arduous task of navigating private insurance claims and applying for assistance from the Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The loss of power in western North Carolina due to the storm has raised concerns about the potential growth of mold in their residence.
Max Weissman, a 45-year-old therapist, has seen his office destroyed by the storm, leaving him without a space to meet his patients. Additionally, the building housing the tea company where Aviva Weissman worked was leveled by the hurricane. Despite these challenges, the Weissmans have been primarily focused on the well-being of their children amidst the turmoil. With schools closed since the storm, their 11-year-old son Avi assisted Max in cleaning up the flooded basement, while Aviva temporarily relocated with their 7-year-old daughter Reyna to stay with family in South Carolina before returning home.
Recognizing the need for their children to have some sense of normalcy and play, the Weissmans took Avi and Reyna to a free pop-up day camp organized by the Los Angeles-based nonprofit Project:Camp. This camp, offering various engaging activities for children, serves as a safe space for kids to process the emotional impact of the disaster while their parents focus on recovery efforts.
Dr. Irwin Redlener, a prominent figure in disaster preparedness, emphasized the importance of reestablishing a semblance of normalcy for children in the aftermath of a disaster. Project:Camp, staffed with trained volunteers specializing in trauma recovery, provides children with avenues for positive expression, emotional assessment, and play to aid in their healing process.
As the Weissmans continue to navigate their recovery journey, the support and respite offered by Project:Camp play a vital role in providing relief and comfort for their children. The camp’s therapeutic environment fosters a sense of security and camaraderie as the community strives to rebuild and recover from the recent catastrophe.
