This is my interview from 2016 with the Catholic Charities in Flint Michigan during the peak of their water crisis.
The first part of this interview we get a look into how widespread the problem was at the time, and how much uncertainty they were living in.
Before Vicki Schultz, the CEO of Catholic Charities details how she found out about the lead in the water, as she was one of the first people called to the mayor’s office before it was announced to the residents, and the world.
We’ll end with them sharing stories of the people at their center, who become their friends after being there when they had nothing. This is an incredibly heartwarming listen.
If you can, I encourage you to donate to Catholic Charities, as they're still working hard during COVID to help those who are helpless.
https://catholiccharitiesflint.org/
(0:00) - Introduction
(4:04) - Interview with Catholic Charities Starts
(8:23) - Transportation challenges in Flint
(10:31) - Mapping the lead problem in Flint
(16:05) - Coordination and Community Response
(19:14) - Blood Lead Level Testing & The Effects of Lead Exposure
(25:25) - Living without Safe Water
(27:25) - Reactions to Water Crisis Announcement
(32:21) - Emergency Command Center and Response
(37:29) - Burden on Families
(48:14) - Clean Water in Catholic Charities Building
(54:19) - Challenges of Operating a Warming Center
(56:11) - Building Relationships Homeless Souls
(1:14:30) - Debriefing from the water situation
(1:24:35) - Providing support from birth to death
