Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children
Jeffrey Fetzko, ACSW, LSW, CFRE
Vol. 5, No. 7, April 5, 2007
The Executive Director's News is published every two weeks, specifically for the employees of the Somerset Home. This issue and past issues are available on our web site at http://www.somersethome.org/main/pages/employee_newsletter.htm.
Flood Strikes Brahma House
All sheet rock removed, temporary lighting illuminates the three first floor offices and the main work area at Brahma House. The first floor offices are devastated from the flood. For more than a week, demolition takes place by day while dehumidifiers and fans run at night.
Brahma House was closed on March 28, 2007 for the first time in 34 years! The damage was caused by an emotionally disturbed young person who tampered with a sprinkler head. All of the youth and staff were safely evacuated.
Demolition continues this week and reconstruction will begin next week. First eight, then nine, now ten of the twenty two rooms at Brahma House are under demolition/renovation. The required repairs will take approximately six weeks to complete.
Bedrooms had carpet and sheet rock removed.
Water damage was contained to bedrooms, offices and the kitchen. Extensive damage to the building included sheet rock, floors, electrical and HVAC systems.
I want to thank all the staff for making sure the kids were safe during the crisis and also the following day when kids were placed in appropriate homes and facilities.
I am saddened to report that fifteen staff lost their jobs this week. For those staff who are continuing with us, I want to thank you for all of the extra work you have been doing on flood related recovery.
We are doing our best to reopen as quickly as possible. I will keep you posted on our progress.
For more information go to: http://www.somersethome.org/main/pages/brahma.house.flood.htm
As always, thank you all for your continued hard work on behalf of our youth.
