Golden Valley Nonprofit Sending Crews for Hurricane Relief
In the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton, residents and Florida are picking up the pieces. A Golden Valley nonprofit is heading down there to help those in need.
Roshan Khatri, executive director of Headwaters Relief Organization, facilitates helping hands every day. The group’s work started back in 2005, sending crews down when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. Much of its outreach goes across the country and even across the world.
“Every community is prone to one form or another of disasters,” Khatri said. “It’s all part of being human: helping each other.”
The group comes after first responders and helps people get back on their feet. Khatri said they often connect with local organizations to figure out how they can help them and even go directly to residents.
“We basically tell them: ‘Hey, we are here. Now where do you want us?’ We go to the homes of the people and say: ‘Hey, do you need help? What can we do?” Khatri said.
Since 2005, the group’s efforts have only grown. Some projects are underway overseas, in communities in Puerto Rico in Haiti. In the U.S., Headwaters still has a mental health center in New Orleans. The group also puts out books to help families cope after disaster.
Khatri spoke with CCX News on Wednesday. He’s headed to Florida on Thursday.
What Can We Do?
Now, the group is extending a helping hand from Golden Valley to Florida. Teams are already down there, and more on the way, assisting in hurricane relief from Milton and Helene. Many are in Crystal River, Florida, with others headed north of Tampa and to Brooksville. Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are clearing damages and connecting with residents.
“We form a very diverse group of volunteers. And what we believe is that every person, every individual can contribute in one form or the other,” Khatri siad.
Back at home, Khatri said the mission is clear for those who want to help: keep talking about it.
“People are just coming back to their homes to find it all destroyed and all their personal belongings gone, all their life savings are gone, and we are not talking much about it,” Khatri said.
People can also help by volunteering to go on trips with Headwaters or other local organizations. Headwaters has volunteer opportunities locally, as well as a need for donations.
