Elmhurst native Sarah Dyer helps Sandy victims

ELMHURST — Elmhurst native Sarah Dyer is home for the holidays after several weeks working with FEMA to aid New Jersey victims of Hurricane Sandy.
The 2012 University of Missouri graduate was placed with FEMA for a 10-month term of service after being accepted into AmeriCorps this summer.

What was the scene like in New Jersey when you arrived? In what condition did Sandy leave the area?
We were stationed all over the state. We started off in Bergen County (north, right by Manhattan) and then moved to Union Beach, Monmouth County, Seaside Heights and finally in Lincroft. The extent of damage varied across the state with the areas around the coast being the most devastated. We've seen neighborhoods completely demolished. I've seen lots of boats in front yards and houses leveled. It's amazing that something of this scale could happen in the United States.  
 
What were the most prevalent needs of the community you worked in? What kinds of things did you do?
Since we arrived during the response phase the our main task was for us to get the word out to register with FEMA disaster assistance. We traveled door to door delivering information and asking questions. Initially the No. 1 goal for us was to get people food and shelter. We helped at disaster recovery centers and large temporary living facilities. We are now moving into the recovery phase so we are working at the Joint Field Office in Lincroft. As Public Assistance Project Specialists, we will be doing damage assessments to public infrastructure as well as writing grants for projects so that communities can get the funding for these critical structures.

Was there anything about your experience that surprised you?
The amount of support they have in New Jersey is incredible. There is such a sense of community there and people are willing to help their neighbors over themselves. That's something that a lot of people take for granted.
 
Was there anything you learned about yourself or other people from your efforts?
I learned how to cope with stressful circumstances by making sure my mind and body was staying healthy. It was really interesting to learn about how disasters are organized and how the different agencies work together to help the communities they are serving.

Will you be going back to New Jersey after the holidays or somewhere else?
We will be going back to New Jersey. The Joint Field Office for New Jersey is in Lincroft which is where we will be stationed.
 
Would you recommend AmeriCorps to someone else your age that is considering it?
Absolutely! It is a great program for someone like me, a college graduate, especially with the job market being down. There's so many different programs to get involved in, anyone could find one that suits them.
 
What are your plans following AmeriCorps?
After my term I am considering doing another term with an AmeriCorps program. I am still looking into my options but I am also looking into going to graduate school. Last year I deferred my admission to New York University for a degree in social work and plan to obtain my MSW in the next few years.

About Sarah Dyer
Age: 22
Hometown: Elmhurst
Family: Parents Mark and Susan Dyer, brother and Eric Dyer, 19
Hobbies: Scrapbooking, reading, running