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Community Action's Shafter Youth Center Helps with Train Derailment
Topics: Community Action Partnership, Community Action Partnership of Kern, emergency response, Shafter, Community Action, Shafter Youth Center, youth, Shafter Police Department, train derailment, Christine Lollar, Lori Jackson, Romala Ramkissoon, Lois Hannible
Posted by CommunityAction Mon Jul 23, 2007 11:16:11 PDT
Viewed 1870 times
0 responses 0 comments Location: 455 E. Euclid, Shafter, CA 93263

Community Action Partnership of Kern is known for helping those in need and yesterday, July 19, "I witnessed Community Action Partnership of Kern at its’ finest," said Shafter Youth Center Manager Lois Hannible.

With only a moments notice given from the Shafter Police that they would be transporting Amtrak passengers from a train derailment in Shafter to Community Action Partnership of Kern's Shafter Youth Center, staff quickly got into motion to prepare a safe haven for those passengers in need.

Hannible commented, "I quickly placed a call to Romala Ramkissoon, Director of Family Support Services, and informed her of the situation and of items that were stated by the Shafter Police to be in need."

Shafter Youth Center staff and high school volunteers set-up the gym with chairs, water, and snacks. Shortly thereafter passengers from the train derailment starting arriving and were greeted at the shuttle buses and assisted with their luggage. The passengers remained at the Shafter Youth Center for about an hour before they were shuttled back to the derailment to be placed on buses to Fresno.

Before leaving, each of the passengers took a moment to express how welcomed they felt and how prepared we were to assist them. Ramkisson arrived at the Shafter Youth Center shortly after to assist in any way she could and was followed by other Partnership staff which included: Lori Jackson, Procurement Specialist, and her crew who arrived with a truck load of supplies which included water, food, cots, blankets, chairs and many other necessities; and Christine Lollar, Marketing and Public Relations Specialist, to deal with any press issues.

"I can truly say that I have never been so proud to be a part of such a great  community and agency! What a team!" Lois Hannible said.

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