Two women with a heart to serve others have leapt at the chance to help Santiam Hospital Service Integration Team manage cases of survivors negatively impacted by the Labor Day wildfires.
Sonya Ryland and Alita Batham will use their expertise to serve and rehouse as many families as possible with help from local agencies, landlords and property management companies while keeping the Santiam Integration Team’s trauma-informed care approach.
“One of the most important things is meeting individuals where they’re at, whether that is in a hotel, my office or a camp,” said Ryland, who previously worked with the city of Salem’s 100 hardest to house homeless as part of her 12-year tenure in government. “It’s meeting basic and immediate needs both short- and long-term. The main goal is to assist all of those in need in the canyon, whether they were or are renters or homeowners.”
Batham lives outside of Scio with her husband, Frank, and three children. During the fires, the family was prepared to evacuate.
“We had members of our church in Mill City and Sweet Home who had to evacuate,” said Batham, whose husband pastors Providence Vineyard Christian Fellowship in the Scio/Lacomb area. “We had friends who lost their home in the Otis Fire north of Lincoln City.
“Since the fires, my husband has been actively involved in coordination with local churches to collect donations for fire survivors,” she added. “I volunteered with the Santiam Hospital SIT during the week after the fire, helping set up Anthony Hall and organized the incoming donations. We love our community and want to love our neighbors in the canyon as they walk through this difficult time.”
When SIT coordinator/community liaison Melissa Baurer contacted Batham, she decided to put her social work expertise, including case management, to use after a nine-year hiatus to raise her children.
“Disaster Case Management entails walking alongside the survivors of a disaster and assisting them with all the detail work involved in getting them back on their feet after everything they’ve gone through,” Batham said. “Our goal is to get them as back to their normal as possible.”
According to the new case managers, families are currently being housed in hotel/motel settings as well as county parks or on their own property in personal RVs, some donated through United Way as well as friends and family.
“Some have found apartments to rent and even a few have chosen to purchase homes elsewhere,” said Batham. “Some people have been able to return to their homes and/or properties already!”
Batham said people are still recovering from different stages of grief, from “shock to denial to anger to sadness to acceptance.” Some are struggling with PTSD, triggered by past trauma, she added.
“What I’m seeing most is that individuals are struggling emotionally and mentally,” said Ryland. “We do have Marion County Mental Health on board, and we have several pastors in the canyon that have counseling services available to anyone in need.”
Marion County Mental Health is also hosting a Zoom support group from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays.
“We just want to make sure the survivors understand we have complete wrap-around services to meet them where they’re at and provide for each need that comes up,” Ryland said. “I have seen homeowners still fighting insurance companies for a settlement. Survivors not understanding the FEMA process and how to navigate it to receive assistance. It’s been a challenge getting people in the unemployment system after their place of business has been destroyed. Accessing immediate basic needs and of course last but certainly not least, housing.”
Batham claims people are tired of being in the hotels and temporary housing and have a strong desire to be back in a stable living environment.
“There is a lack of affordable housing in the region,” she said. “Currently, it’s less than a 1 percent availability rate, which we already had before the fire, but is an even bigger problem now. Recovery from natural disasters takes much longer than we would like to accept, so waiting for the clean-up and infrastructure to be rebuilt is extremely frustrating even though it’s necessary.
“Another struggle for survivors is wading through all the logistics that are required to get people the help they need from different agencies,” she added. “Working with insurance agencies, FEMA, lack of insurance, unemployment, and, of course, COVID restrictions can prove for a very stressful environment for them on top of the daily struggles of everyday life.”
Santiam Hospital SIT has partnered with outside agencies to get housing vouchers for individuals and accessing Rural Development Affordable Housing apartments through Letter of Priority Entitlement, Ryland said.
“I’m just stepping into what they’ve already done and looking for placements for those who have their vouchers in hand now and searching for landlords in the rural communities that are willing to partner with us,” she said. “I continue to look for landlords that are willing to partner with us directly to help rehouse the survivors.”
SIT currently has volunteer drivers who pick up immediate basic needs and deliver to individuals in need on the same day, she added.
“Being able to come in and come alongside the survivors with empathy, but also the infrastructure to connect people to the help they need, is crucial to their recovery,” said Batham. “I love that we get to cheer people along and encourage them when they are hurting, while at the same time providing practical help that gives them more peace of mind. We are coordinating efforts with several agencies, both from the government and nonprofit sector along with the general community, to help meet those needs.”
Right after the fire, Ryland created a decal to send to any fire survivor in the canyon who asked for one.
“I was just trying to bring some light during a dark time,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to see those decals all over the different communities or see people in stores wearing the shirts or masks.”
Ryland also cohosted a fundraiser at the Southside Speak Easy with former clients she had housed out of homelessness, raising nearly $1,300.
“Right after the fire, I just went into compassion mode and tried to find ways to spread joy,” she said. “I partnered with a few of my girlfriends and made hundreds of decals, T-shirts, sweatshirts and masks with the Santiam Canyon Strong logo and I know it made people smile, which was the goal.”
Today, she is honored to stand up and serve Santiam Canyon communities, she said.
“I have been blessed to meet many families who have reminded me what truly matters in life,” she said. “I hope to make a difference in many lives while we move through these processes.”
Batham added, “I look forward to moving our families from their temporary shelters to their more long-term appropriate homes. I look forward to seeing people regain their livelihood, autonomy, family and community life as they rebuild.”
Batham asks people to remain patient through the recovery process.
“Our region has never dealt with fires this devastating before,” she said. “There are several good people, agencies and organizations out there working hard for the benefit of the whole community. There is still plenty of hope and opportunity as we move forward. Stay engaged and look for the positive!”
For information, message Ryland at [email protected] or Batham at [email protected].
