NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept 16, 2005
contact: Jeanette Foreman, Communications Director
404 577-1047; 404 290-2175 cell; jfc1220@bellsouth.net

SAVING OUR SELVES (S.O.S) COALITION, & SELF HELP NETWORKS, MAIN KATRINA RELIEF HELP FOR RURAL MISS., ALA. POOR.

ATLANTA- How can this happen to us in America? That was the question on the lips of many of the working-class, poor and Black citizens living in small rural Mississippi and Alabama communities who were still in desperate need of food, water and basic relief more than 10 days or more after Hurricane Katrina devastated their homes, jobs and lands. The plight of this large rural population was exacerbated by the lack of significant attention from most government and other mainstream relief efforts.

Their cries for help raised a mighty response from caring individuals and local, regional and national grassroots organizations. A coalition of over 117groups with historical ties, contacts and interests to these low and moderate-income rural communities answered the Call and formed the S.O.S. (SAVING OUR SELVES) COALITION. The coalition's mission is to provide support, planning, and networking strength to the organization, churches and leadership on the ground that give service to these underserved communities and to direct resources and attention to them. The Coalition’s initial core members included local churches and grass roots organizations such as the Alabama Coalition of Black Civic Participation, The Black Leadership Forum, The Malcomb X Grassroots Movement, Clergy Who Care,1 For Life, Hip Hop Caucus, TOPS, Circle of Love Fellowship Ministries, Black Youth Vote, and Community Empowerment Project and were joined by more well known organizations such as SCLC, NAACP’s Mississippi Chapter, and The Center for Democratic Renewal to name but a few.

Within 48 hours after coming together in Atlanta, Ga., its headquarters, S.O.S. Coalition established 4 major Distribution Centers throughout Alabama- in Mobile, Birmingham, Selma, and Montgomery Alabama. It also created 15 satellite sites in the 2 states, usually in churches and community centers. From these centers, food and critical basic supplies are delivered to nearby smaller communities such as Pascagoula, Biloxi, Moss Point, in Mississippi and Prichard, Dauphine Island, Bayou La Batre, and Irvington. Alabama. In addition to delivering tons of food, clothing and necessary basic supplies, SOS has assisted with housing placement and relocation services and distributed critical crisis information.

Most recently the Coalition has implemented an important plan to deliver medical care to isolated rural poor in the Black Belt communities in Alabama and Mississippi. A region where African Americans have some of the highest rates diabetes, hypertension, asthma, cancers and other serious health issues, it is urgent that they receive immediate and ongoing medical care. Groups of doctors and health care professionals from Veterans for Peace, the National Medical Association and other organizations, have agreed to go into these areas and initially provide triage health services, medical assessments, and administer some medications. Keiser Permanante has provided medical supplies.

S.O.S. Coalition, a non-profit corporation, is sending out the Call for other organizations, churches, funding entities, and businesses to join its present coalition building and relief assistance efforts. The work of the Coalition is intended to transcend emergency relief, and will extend into the recovery and restoration phases. Grassroots organizations, united with each other and our supporters, will be involved in creating and implementing strong plans for rebuilding, strengthening and transforming our communities and the lives of our rural poor and working class in the South.

To join the Coalition or otherwise provide resources or help, contact: S.O.S. Coalition, 925 B. Peachtree Street., NW.; Atlanta, Georgia 30312; telephone 1 (866) 922-8683. email: savingourselves@bellsouth.net. Financial contributions may be sent via mail to SOS Coalition Fund- The Center for Democratic Change, our 501 © (3) fiscal agent.