Not in Nottingham: Storm Relief for the Citizens of Sherwood Forest

On Wednesday, August 9, 2023, straight-line winds and golfball size hail arrived in Memphis, TN with a summer storm and seemed to target this little University District neighborhood, sparing the rest of the city.  Six minutes later, dozens of houses were damaged- six, flatted almost entirely.  Very few people were home there, in the middle of a workday in this working class community, so thankfully nobody was injured or worse.  But in those few moments, the neighborhood with the word "Forest" right there in its name was suddenly cleared of dozens of hundred year old hardwoods, ripped from the ground and slamming down onto the houses and cars and fences of neighbors who are struggling to recover financially.  Homeowners were shocked to discover they're paying the highest deductibles in history, and renters were shocked to discover that while their landlords are insured and repairs are moving along, their personal property losses, even if insured, are unaddressed yet the debt they still owe for cars and big ticket items often financed remains.

We begin our efforts to make these neighbors whole with a fundraiser concert on Saturday, August 26th, 7pm-midnight at Hi Tone, 282-84 N Cleveland, Memphis, TN 38103.  Tickets are $20 and may be purchased by following this link:   https://www.facebook.com/events/1304806446910195/?ref=newsfeed

We hope to see you there!  

UDistrict INC, our area's 501c3 community development corporation, will serve as contractor for all repairs and pay for services directly, and applicants for assistance will be vetted for financial need and all repairs, verified.  

Any monies raised in excess of immediate need for assisting Sherwood residents with storm recovery will be banked for the next natural disaster in our area and fund equipment for the University District Community Emergency Response Team, so we may continue to rise and come to the aid of our neighbors in the future.   

1. Host benefit concert on August 26, kick off campaign.

2. Quantify the exact need.  For several weeks after a natural disaster, residents continue to discover damage that is only evident after various stages of clean-up progress is made.  We anticipate more residents than we even know of right now will need some level of assistance.  

3. Recruit a labor team among neighbors.  Create a phone tree to call this team into action on clearing fences or hauling debris curbside or even using chainsaws to make larger limbs small enough to carry.  

4. Call on each impacted resident, asking for their non-covered expenses estimates.  Prioritize repairs according to public and household safety.  

5. Arrange subcontractors for small jobs not covered by insurance for means-tested applicants. 

6. Allocate funding according to number of applicants, severity of damage and amount of money raised.

7. Cut checks for grocery loss for all applicants after construction projects are funded and in progress.   

The University Planning District is located in the geographic center of Memphis and its neighborhoods reflect perfectly the "Memphis Median" in every possible demographic and financial category.  Just like Memphis, we are a "checkerboard" of neighborhood types, with areas "south of the railroad tracks" being more affordable housing and home to service industry workers.  It is in this area 'south of the tracks,' where median household income is lowest and seven out of ten houses are rentals with no renters insurance, where all the storm damage occurred.  We are compelled by human empathy to help the neighbors who need our help the most.  These neighbors are always the first to volunteer for community service projects.  They are engaged citizens who participate in every process presented and every person we're helping would absolutely show up to help any other University District resident who needed them.  We are unified as a planning district and we take care of each other, always.