Orthodox Christian aid group contributes labor and funding

COVINGTON, La. (March 13, 2007)—“Habitat for Humanity is the ideal partner for us because it’s ecumenical, faith-based and it focuses on long-term recovery,” said Pascalis Papouras, who coordinates volunteer groups from International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) who serve in the Gulf coast hurricane recovery.

Dedicated to sustainable development “even in emergency situations,” IOCC looks for projects and partners that will have an impact for generations to come, Papouras said.

“We are a small organization, we’re focused, mobile and flexible,” he added. “We don’t come into a disaster situation pushing a ready-made solution. We ask, ‘what do you need?’”

The answer from Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West affiliate has been: “We need volunteers to help with construction.”

IOCC’s “Volunteer in the Gulf Coast” program, a partnership with Orthodox churches and Habitat for Humanity International, has sent volunteer crews every month since November 2006 to build Habitat homes in Covington and in Biloxi, Miss. IOCC has committed more than $4 million to relief and reconstruction since the 2005 hurricanes that ravaged the Gulf Coast.

In February 2007 the Rev. Michael Rosco presented a $150,000 check to the St. Tammany West affiliate to fund three houses of the six-house Faith Village. Rosco also brought 24 volunteers from New Jersey. They were among the 100-plus guests at a Habitat breakfast recognizing faith partners.

The affiliate expects to begin laying foundations in April and constructing houses in Faith Village during May. IOCC volunteers will be there to take part.

IOCC was founded in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). Since then, it has implemented over $250 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world.