The Arkansas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (AR VOAD) group is partnering with other local disaster assistance organizations to open a “one-stop shop” for survivors of Arkansas River flooding.

The Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 24 and Tuesday, June 25 at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 2310 East Oak Street, Conway.

Trained English and Spanish-speaking caseworkers will be available at the MARC to help people create personal recovery plans, navigate paperwork, and locate assistance for their specific disaster-caused needs, such as assistance for groceries, rent, medicine and other items or services.  Representatives from government, nonprofit, and faith-based disaster relief organizations will also be on hand at the MARC to assist disaster survivors.

Organizations and agencies such as the Adventist Community Services, American Red Cross, Arkansas Baptist State Convention Disaster Relief, Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas United Methodist Disaster Response, Arkansas Episcopal Disaster Relief, Catholic Charities of Arkansas, The Salvation Army, United Way and more will be there to offer services to those affected by the Arkansas River flood disaster.

“AR VOAD is proud to join our partners in Central Arkansas to help survivors of the recent flooding navigate the road to recovery,” said Rhonda Sanders, Chair of Arkansas VOAD. “Already, this community has pulled together to help their neighbors affected by the Arkansas River flood and the AR VOAD will continue to be here to help people in the weeks and months to come.”

Individuals and families applying for assistance are reminded to bring identification showing address and verification of residence to be eligible for assistance from some agencies.

ARVOAD is a humanitarian association of independent voluntary organizations who may be active in all phases of disaster. Its mission is to foster efficient, streamlined service delivery to people affected by disaster, while eliminating unnecessary duplication of effort, through cooperation in the four phases of disaster: preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation.