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Resources To Get Help After Hurricane Ida

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Learn where to find financial, medical, food, energy access and other resources for those who have been impacted by Hurricane Ida
Hannah Kulis
MusiCares
Sep 10, 2021 - 12:48 pm

From the Gulf Coast to the Northeast, Hurricane Ida has devastated the U.S. The strongest hurricane to hit Louisiana in 165 years, Ida has left many New Orleans residents struggling to access food, shelter, water, or medical care. In the Northeast, the storm caused catastrophic flooding that damaged homes and apartment buildings, leaving thousands without shelter.  

For those in need, help is available. Here is a list of resources for anyone who has been impacted by Hurricane Ida.

MusiCares Assistance

MusiCares is providing $500 gift cards for necessities like food, gas, and prescription medications for music community members who have been impacted by the storm. Additional needs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Although MusiCares assistance is typically only available to professionals with at least five years of work in the music industry, exceptions will be made based on need.

To apply for a gift card, email musicaresrelief@musicares.org or call (212) 245-7840

Resources for New Orleans Residents

Medical

The City of New Orleans has set up a first aid station operating 24/7 at Central City Senior Center, 2101 Philip Street, New Orleans, LA 70113. Services include oxygen exchange, prescribing ability, medical device charging, and other basic health assessments (no medications will be available on site).

Food and Water

Meals are available everyday throughout the city. See here for the city’s meal distribution calendar. In addition, water, ice, and ready-to-eat meals are available every Friday at these locations.

Cooling Centers

A/C, device charging, water, and FEMA assistance is available every day at the following locations:

  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Treme Recreation Center (900 N. Villere St)
  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Cut Off Recreation Center (6600 Belgrade St.)
  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Gernon Brown Recreation Center (1001 Harrison Ave.)
  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Milne Recreation Center (5420 Franklin Ave.)
  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Stallings St. Claude Recreation Center (4300 St. Claude Ave.)
  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m., John P. Lyons Recreation Center (624 Louisiana Ave.)
  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Joe W. Brown Recreation Center (5601 Read Blvd.)
  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Rosenwald Recreation Center (1120 S. Broad Ave.)

Tarps

The Army Corp of Engineers is providing blue tarps for Orleans Parish residents with sustained roof damage – you can retrieve a blue tarp through this link.

Blue tarps and water are also being distributed every day at the locations below:

  • 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., Dryades YMCA, (2220 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.)
  • 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., Notre Dame Seminary, (2901 S. Carrollton Ave.)

Utilities

Entergy New Orleans is working hard to restore the city’s power. Visit www.entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media for updates.

9-1-1 services are fully operational and should be used for life-threatening emergencies. If your cell phone cannot connect to 9-1-1, try dialing using a landline, calling 504-671-3600 or texting 9-1-1.

3-1-1 services are fully operational and should be used for non-life-threatening emergencies and non-emergency services request. If your cell phone cannot connect to 3-1-1, dial 504-539-3266 or text “Hello” to 311YES (311937)

Additional Resources

For more information on state and federal resources, visit https://www.musicares.org/get-help/relief-resources

Resources for those in the Tri-State Area

Shelter and Housing

The Red Cross is providing temporary housing for those in need. To request assistance, contact them at a location near you:

  • American Red Cross - Greater New York:  (877) 733-2767
  • American Red Cross - Long Island: (516) 747-3500
  • American Red Cross - Metro NY North: (203) 869-8444
  • American Red Cross - Northern New Jersey: (973) 797-3300
  • American Red Cross - Phillipsburg: (201) 832-9953                                                       

FEMA is also providing emergency shelter. Apply online or call 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585 between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. ET, available seven days a week.

Housing, food and other resources are available through Catholic Charities:

  • Catholic Charities of Trenton: 1-800-360-7711
  • Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark: 973-596-4100
  • Catholic Charities of Paterson: (973) 737-2077
  • Catholic Charities Archdiocese of NY: (888) 744-7900
  • Catholic Charities of Brooklyn & Queens: (718) 722-6001
  • Catholic Charities of Staten Island: (718) 984-1500

Clean Up

Crisis Cleanup provides assistance to survivors to help clean up after floods, storms, and other natural disasters. To request assistance, call 1-844-965-1386

This guide to cleaning up after a flood is also a useful resource.

Mental Health

For those struggling with their mental health after the disaster, hotlines for free and confidential support are available. The NY Project Hope Emotional Support Helpline can be reached at 1-844-863-9314. NJ Mental Health Cares can be reached by calling 1-866-202-HELP (4357).

Additional Resources

For more information on state and federal resources, visit https://www.musicares.org/get-help/relief-resources

For those who are able to and would like to support MusiCares' Hurricane Ida Relief, click here.

Photo of musician playing a tuba in front of a building in New Orleans, Louisiana

Photo of musician playing a tuba in front of a building in New Orleans, Louisiana

Photo: Alberto Lama/Adobe Stock

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MusiCares And Vivid Seats Join Together To Provide Relief To Hurricane Ida Victims

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MusiCares, in collaboration with Vivid Seats, distributed aid to music industry professionals impacted by Hurricane ida in Louisiana, New Jersey and New York
MusiCares
Oct 27, 2021 - 9:00 am

Following the devastation of Hurricane Ida in August 2021, MusiCares, the leading music charity, worked quickly to provide disaster relief to music communities impacted in Louisiana, New Jersey and New York.

Thanks to a generous donation from Vivid Seats Inc., a leading live event marketplace, MusiCares' Hurricane Ida Relief effort was fully funded and continues to help provide those affected with necessary essentials like food, water, gas, and more.

The New Orleans Musicians' Clinic was also instrumental in mobilizing the relief in the Louisiana community. By acting as MusiCares' primary relief distributor and advisor, the clinic helped MusiCares identify potential clients in dire need of support and ensure they received the help they needed.

"Vivid Seats is a company with heart that consistently supports the music community during life's most difficult challenges," Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares, said. "Thanks to their latest donation, MusiCares moved quickly with the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic to provide relief to those who needed it most following Hurricane Ida."

As recovery efforts continue, MusiCares is evaluating the needs of the music community to cover other necessities like healthcare costs, disaster insurance deductibles and home repair costs. MusiCares also continues to act as a health and human services safety net for music people across the nation, providing physical and mental health services, addiction recovery, preventative clinics, funds for unforeseen personal emergencies, and disaster relief.

"We have been proud to support MusiCares' effort to provide relief for the live events community," Vivid Seats CEO Stan Chia said. "Their unmatched dedication to urgently mobilize care for those in need should inspire everyone to support their team."

Vivid Seats is a strong supporter of MusiCares and has donated more than $2 million since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to help support many of MusiCares' relief efforts.

"MusiCares offered immediate assistance and support when I needed it most," one of MusiCares' Hurricane Ida beneficiaries said. "There's not many places to turn in the music industry for real help. Whether it's a mental health crisis, a natural disaster or just someone to talk to, they've always been there for me. MusiCares treats everyone as equals, listens without judgement, and takes these issues very seriously."

As the leading music charity in the U.S., MusiCares has provided relief to members of the music industry after similar natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Sandy, the Nashville floods, and the California wildfires.

Music people looking for financial support, disaster relief, physical or mental health, and/or addiction recovery services can visit MusiCares.org for more details and contact information.

Resources To Get Help After Hurricane Ida

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How MusiCares Supports The Recovery Community Year-Round

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Learn about all the ways MusiCares provides support for those in recovery 365 days a year
Hannah Kulis
MusiCares
Sep 7, 2021 - 11:14 am

This September, MusiCares is recognizing National Recovery Month by supporting those in recovery through a series of programs about addiction, sobriety, and treatment practices and providers. Supporting the recovery community is an essential component of MusiCares' mission.

While the addiction crisis in America impacts all of us, the music community is particularly vulnerable to addiction issues. A 2018 survey found that musicians were twice as likely to drink alcohol four or more times a week—coming in at a rate of 31 percent—compared to the general U.S. population's 16 percent. The survey also found musicians were five times more likely to have used cocaine in the last month, and almost three times more likely to have used opiates.

Although MusiCares is highlighting recovery work this September, the Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Team at MusiCares works hard every day to help those struggling with addiction. Here's how MusiCares supports the recovery community, year-round.

Monetary Support for Addiction Treatment

Rehab is expensive. While the cost of inpatient treatment programs varies, it typically ranges between $14,000 and $27,000 for a 30-day program. Through MusiCares' financial assistance program, music community members can receive grants to attend 30-day inpatient treatment programs, which allow them to go to rehab at no cost to themselves.

MusiCares can also provide referrals to treatment programs in our provider network that have been vetted by licensed substance abuse and mental health counselors. In addition to inpatient treatment programs, MusiCares also provides financial grants and referrals to outpatient treatment, sober living, coaching, counseling, and psychiatric care. To learn more or apply for assistance, visit musicares.org/

Free Cyber Recovery Groups

Every week, MusiCares hosts seven virtual addiction recovery group meetings. A little deeper than a 12-step meeting, but not quite as intense as a process group, these groups offer a safe environment where participants can discuss the challenges of staying clean and sober in the music industry. Groups are free of charge and open to any music person interested in attending. To find out more, click here.

Safe Harbor Rooms

Working late nights at concerts, festivals and awards shows, music industry professionals are often surrounded by drugs and alcohol in their work environments. As a result, MusiCares established the Safe Harbor Room Program to provide a supportive place at live music events around the country, where artists and crew members with addiction issues can find communal support.

Staffed by qualified chemical dependency and intervention specialists, the Safe Harbor Room offers a network to those in recovery while they are participating in music festivals, concerts, the production of televised music shows, and other major music events. Click here to find out where our Safe Harbor Rooms will be.

NARCAN Trainings

NARCAN (Naxolene) is a nasal spray used for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose that works by reversing the effects of opioids in the brain. When used correctly, 93.5 percent of people survive their overdose, according to a review of emergency medical services in Massachusetts. MusiCares has partnered with NARCAN providers to host training workshops across the country and provide workshop participants with their own NARCAN should they ever need to use it.

Virtual Programming

In one survey of U.K. musicians, 45 percent reported problems with alcohol (Forsyth, Lennox & Emslie 2016). Dialogue around addiction and mental health is a crucial part of the recovery process, which is why the Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Team hosts panels, workshops, and other programs year-round to address these topics.

MusiCares has hosted educational workshops about suicide, panel discussions about staying sober while on tour, addiction, and the aging community, and more. To attend a MusiCares program, click here.

MusiCares' Health & Human Services Team's Holistic Approach To Wellness

Aging Adults & The LGBTQ+ Community

Photo: Quino Al via Unsplash

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Aging Adults & The LGBTQIA+ Community: Building A Support Network And Gaining Access To Resources Through SAGE Advocacy

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SAGE hosts a special presentation for the entertainment industry that brings awareness to their NYC-based movement of building a more equitable world that values older LGBTQIA+ individuals and offers opportunities for them to thrive
Jess Pickett
MusiCares
Jul 29, 2021 - 1:08 pm

In honor of Pride, MusiCares partnered with SAGE Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders for a June virtual program to familiarize the music community with the oldest and largest organization dedicated to serving LGBTQIA+ older adults. The presentation was hosted by SAGE Assistant Director of Special Programs, Bill Gross, and Julie Ugoretz, Program Coordinator of SAGE Connect Programs.

The pair discussed the major differences between LGBTQIA+ people and their straight peers when it comes to aging and caregiving. Currently, many LGBTQIA+ adults live alone and rely on older adults within their community for support and caregiving.

Studies have found that LGBTQIA+ older adults are at higher risk for disability, poor mental health, smoking, and excessive drinking than their heterosexual counterparts. This is in large part due to minority stress and lack of social support. Additionally, a history of discrimination leaves many LGBTQIA+ older adults with a general distrust of mainstream institutions. This includes but is not limited to unfair eviction from housing, excommunication or exclusion from religion, being treated as having a psychiatric disorder or illness in medical settings (in fact, homosexuality was considered to be a mental illness until 1973), police brutality or law enforcement discrimination, dishonorable discharge from the military and the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Defense Directive, and being estranged or disowned by family.

"Very often, people of these generations create their own family. Which is such a beautiful thing, but what happens when people age, and their family, their family of choice, which is usually around their same age, what happens then when those people start to lose capacity?  Or start to pass away? Or start to move away?" Gross asked. "This is all setting up SAGE's services. How do we give support to older adults whose peer circle may be diminishing?"

Related: 4 MusiCares Resources To Aid The LGBTQIA+ Community Today

SAGE offers their Care Management Services across the country through which they produce a bevy of programs that cover health education and support, benefits counseling and legal assistance, daily meals and nutrition, arts and culture, and fitness. They have pivoted to primarily virtual offerings during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic but hope to return to in-person programming soon.

SAGE also works closely with a network of volunteers for their Friendly Visitor and SAGEConnect programs. The former was founded in New York City in 1979, one year after the non-profit opened, and matches a volunteer with an isolated older LGBT+ individual who is in need of companionship. Their oldest pairing has maintained a relationship through the program for 20 years!

Friendly Visitor has now expanded to South Florida. SAGEConnect was founded in May 2020 in response to the extreme isolation that the pandemic brought on to give LGBTQIA+ elders across the country an opportunity to reconnect with the greater community and build friendships safely. The program is a six-week commitment for 30-minute casual phone or video calls and has made 530-plus connections across 41 states since its inception.

They also offer help to caregivers through their Caregiving Program in the form of support groups for caregivers and receivers, financial support, arts and recreational therapy, and case assistance. SAGE Centers as well as LGBTQIA+-friendly, affordable senior housing that has been established in Crotona Park, the Bronx, Fort Greene, and Brooklyn are also good resources for those in the greater New York City area.

"[What I love most about working for SAGE], I think our volunteers are just such open-hearted people who come with such spirit and that excites me every day and makes me happy to be working with them and supporting them. And being able to be witness to our clients and the communities that they've built, the strengths that they've built, is really a blessing," said Ugoretz.

For more information on how you can use SAGE's services, contact the SAGE Hotline at 877.360.LGBT (5428). LGBT elders interested in participating in SAGEConnect can find out more information by visiting sageusa.org/connect.

"Truth Serum": Kosine Strives To Destigmatize Mental Health In The Black Community With Debut EP & Short Film

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"Truth Serum": Kosine Strives To Destigmatize Mental Health In The Black Community With Debut EP & Short Film

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Watch MusiCares' "Truth Serum: Mental Wellness and the Music Community" to learn why tending to oneself is necessary to achieve true greatness and the importance of Black creators sharing their struggles and strife to promote change
Jess Pickett
MusiCares
Jun 28, 2021 - 2:30 pm

GRAMMY-nominated producer Marcos "Kosine" Palacios has gone full circle, stepped onto the other side of the glass and released his debut EP Truth Serum in May, which also included a cinematic short film by the same name. 

The EP and film showcase Kosine's stream of consciousness about mental wellness. Together, they also navigate relationships, religion and his career in the oversaturated music business—and act as his "coming of age story as an Afro-Latino man." 

On June 23, MusiCares offered a special screening of the short at the GRAMMY Museum, followed by a panel discussion moderated by actress Carla Earle with Kosine, pop/soul singer MAJOR., psychologist-photographer Austyn Wyche and KEM saxophonist Darryl Wakefield. 

This event came on the heels of MusiCares' extensive programming produced in May for Mental Health Awareness Month, dovetailing with an overall increase in discussion around mental health and wellness in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kosine noted that despite the stigma surrounding mental wellness among Black men, he found the strength to share his story in part thanks to a meaningful conversation he had with fellow Chicago artist Rhymefest.

Therein, Rhyme described not letting the fear get the best of him when releasing music that envelopes truth and covers tough topics—because his music is his "ministry." 

Wakefield remarked on the relatability of the EP and short. "It really told my story on another level," he said. "Not necessarily the high, prestigious home—it was a lot less glamorous—but the process was very much the same in the acceptance of others."

The panelists also discussed how important therapy is to the healing process. They noted that more Black men need to become vocal advocates of therapy and mental healthcare benefits to overcome the negative stereotypes that seeking help is a form of weakness—which MAJOR. stated has long overshadowed the Black community in America.

Kosine continued by underlining the importance of being in tune with oneself to avoid burnout—a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress—something much of the world has now collectively experienced due to the pandemic.

"Mental health is the consciousness to be working toward [happiness] constantly, and I think it's also a form of self-love," he said. When you just give and give and give, you know, you're out of order … if you don't love yourself, you know, if you don't take that time to take care of yourself and take those moments, you burn out, you burn out.

"I've just fallen in love with the process," Kosine continued. I've made peace with the fact that this is a marathon, and we are supposed to endure through the marathon and just enjoy the process." 

Check out the complete program above to learn more about mental health and the music community—and be sure to watch and listen to Kosine's Truth Serum.

4 MusiCares Resources To Aid The LGBTQ+ Community Today