On January 3rd and 4th, NECHAMA staff and volunteers assisted with the Red Cross MARC (multi-agency resource center) set up to help survivors of the Drake Hotel Fire Minneapolis. The majority of the residents were homeless families staying at the Drake, which the county uses as overflow housing when other shelters are full. Residents, including many young children, had to evacuate in the early morning on Christmas. Then watch from busses brought in to keep them warm as the fire consumed their possessions.
The MARC was set up to connect those affected with essential services, and our staff and volunteers served as Ambassadors – working one on one with families to help them navigate the room.