Rochester counselor deploys to aid in Hurricane Ian recovery efforts

(ABC 6 News) – The Salvation Army of Rochester, MN, announced Tuesday morning that counselor, Jessica Bradford, will be deployed this week to Fort Meyers, FL.

The Salvation Army has been on site there to aid disaster victims since Hurricane Ian made landfall, and Bradford is being sent specifically to aid in the provision of emotional and spiritual care.

The Salvation Army is currently serving disaster victims in both Florida and Puerto Rico in the wake of this year’s back to back hurricanes, serving meals, providing water, aiding in cleanup efforts, and providing social services to help with the long term recovery of those most impacted by the storms.

Bradford has been training for her first deployment over the past year and a half. She says she’s thrilled to get out there and put her training to good use. “Emergency Disaster Services is one more way that everyday people can make a real difference,” said Bradford, “I’m a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. I get to work with struggling people every day. This is one more way for me to help people in crisis, and I am so excited to put my boots on the ground and get to work.”

“Crisis mode can be a variety of things, people can shut down, they can isolate, they can become depressed, they can become hysterical or they can become very angry. So a lot of times just allowing to be that ear that someone can talk to process through that crisis. “Bradford said. 

The Salvation Army of Rochester, MN, is also in possession of an Emergency Disaster Services Canteen to provide aid when disasters strike our local area.

For more information about services provided by The Salvation Army, or for more information on becoming an EDS volunteer, please visit here.