The Daily Nonpareil: Flood relief continues: Ernst helps brings people, resources together at the YMCA

Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, hosted a resource fair for southwest Iowa residents impacted by the spring flooding at the YMCA Healthy Living Center in Council Bluffs Monday.

The event was organized after Ernst inspected the damage resulting from flooding that devastated communities along the Missouri River. She decided to bring everyone to one location to visit and explain what assistance programs are available.

Federal and local agencies were represented at the resource fair to help ease some of the public’s concerns caused by the flooding. This also allowed attendees to learn how to find the services and resources needed to begin the recovery processes.

“What we have is a selection of different agencies that could help our constituents,” Ernst said. “It was really important, especially with all the flooding in the area, to bring these agencies in.”

Ernst said community members often have difficulty reaching out — particularly to federal agencies — to get needed federal aid.

She encouraged people having trouble reaching a federal agency or assistance to contact her office. Federal level representatives want to help you and don’t want your lives to be complicated, she said.

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“Watch for additional resource fairs whether it’s here, or elsewhere across the state,” she said. “It’s a really important way to get those resources in one area at one time.”

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