Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

"In the Hellenic spirit of philanthropy and good citizenry, we are activating the AHEPA Emergency Response Team, and placing our chapters on alert, in anticipation of the great need for assistance that will result from the storm's landfall. However, we hope and pray for the best."
The Greek American community has a significant presence in the Gulf Coast. AHEPA operates 14 HUD Section 202 Senior Citizen Housing apartment complexes in Alabama, ten of which are in Mobile, Ala., and five senior housing complexes in Houston. The Daughters of Penelope, an affiliate organization of AHEPA, sponsors Penelope House. Located in Mobile, Ala., Penelope House is the first shelter for victims of domestic abuse and their children established in Alabama. Moreover, the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, the first Greek Orthodox Church established in North and South America, is located in New Orleans. Finally, Daughters of Penelope Grand President Barbara Stavis Wolf, of Covington, La., which is a suburb of New Orleans, is one of the evacuees.