Reposted from CNY Central
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — It's been three weeks since a family's home exploded on Carbon Street in Syracuse, sparked by an uncapped gas valve in the basement.
Both the family of seven people living in the home and the family of six visiting at the time of the explosion, continue to deal with the aftermath of what took place on Carbon Street weeks ago.
As new Americans and refugees creating a new life here in Syracuse, the need for support continues to grow, especially now.
Mohammed ElFiki, is the regional supervisor for the Syracuse branch of the Zakat Foundation – an international non-profit organization. They work with refugees and the Muslim community to do whatever they can to make their lives easier and happier.
“Adjustment is not easy,” said ElFiki. “We help them through this adjustment. First by providing a community, very much like the one they left behind. So they come and see people who speak the language, who share the values, or the culture or even the cuisine and the food. coming together and being a safe place and a safe haven, this experience alone helps a lot with their spirit.”
Volunteers with the organization have been in touch with the two families impacted by the house explosion every day since—checking in to make sure they have what they need and know that they are supported.
As of Tuesday night, only four of the 12 people hospitalized are still in the hospital. Two parents and two children. The youngest is just eight months old.
“The progress they’re achieving and recovering— I mean psychological and spiritual recovery from what happened,” said ElFiki, “the process is really seen and clear that everyday is better than the day before.”
With the help of Zakat, ElFiki says four of the children released a few weeks ago are now in the care of someone from their community, who has vowed to be their foster parent for the time being.
Meanwhile organizations like United Way of Central New York, created an emergency fund for the families.
“We’re fortunate in this community to have organizations that do an excellent job of providing services,” said President Nancy Kern Eaton. “We also are very fortunate in this community to have a county that is incredibly responsive.”
The goal—raising $75,000 for Catholic Charities and InterFaith works to help the families rebuild their lives.
“One of the donations that came in came in with a note that said ‘hopes and prayers,’ said Eaton. “Hopes and heartfelt prayers for the Carbon street families. I think that really captures what this community is all about.”
“The main thing is the emotional support for them,” said ElFiki. “To feel they are not alone in this tragic incident.”
So far, the United Way fund has raised just a little over $10,000 for the two families impacted.
