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KARE is an organization formed last year with funding received from federal disaster grants. The group started helping flood victims in August, and workers will continue assisting them through the one-year anniversary of the event. With its funding coming solely from the federal grant, the organization does not have the funding to directly contribute to many fund-recovery efforts, but KARE representatives rather focus on educating the public about disaster recovery, giving flood victims a chance to talk about their experiences and putting them in contact with groups who can assist them, said KARE team leader Michele Hafer.

In Osawatomie, Kansas, KARE continues to visit with a variety of community groups, listening to people tell their stories and helping those that still suffer from the psychological phases of the disaster as the city continues to rebound.

In the first few months after the disaster, KARE spent a lot of time assisting residents with F.E.M.A. materials and speaking with the local residents to determine if any of their immediate needs were not being met. They would also visit companies to see how they could help.

“Part of the challenge is finding the people who are displaced and need help,” Gish said, noting that oftentimes the help KARE would provide focused on putting individuals and families into contact with an organization who could best help them out.”

So far, KARE, along with help from other major disaster relief organizations, have helped communities slowly pick up the pieces and get even a little of what they lost back.